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Wyandotte County 



^n^Kan^GL^ City, 



KA.NSA.S. 






Historical ^Biographical. 



COMF-msiX^G 



A condensed Ilistoi-y of the Stnte, a Careful //is tor v of 

Wvanc/otte County, nnd a Comprehensive History 

of tiie GroM til of t72e Cities, Towns nnd Villages. 



/I.Z. iJS Ti? A TGD. 



CHICJi.GO : 
THE GOODSI'EED PUBLISHIJiG COMF^INY, 

ISOO. 



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PREFACE. 



^ 




HIS volume has beeu prepared in response to 
the prevailing and popular demand for the pres- 
ervation of local history and biography. The 
method of preparation followed is the most suc- 
cessful and the most satisfactory yet devised — 
the most successful in the enormous number of 
volumes circulated, and the most satisfactory in 
the general preservation of personal biography and 
family record conjointly with local history. The 
number of volumes now being distributed seems fab- 
ulous. Careful estimates place the number circulated 
in Ohio at 50,000 volumes; Pennsylvania, 60,000; New 
York, 75,000; Indiana, 40,000; Illinois, 40,000; Iowa, 
35,000; Missouri, '25,000; Minnesota, 15,000; Nebras- 
ka, 15,000, and all the other States at the same propor- 
tionate rate. The publishers have few. if any, excuses 
to offer in handing this fine volume to their patrons. 
What errors, if any, occur in the historical department are trivial, and 
do not in any sense detract from the real merits of the work. Such 
mistakes as are found in the biographies are wholly the fault of the 
subjects, as proof was mailed to each for revision and correction, and 
in a number of instances was never returned, thus necessitating going 
to press without such assistance. In the preparation of this volume 
the publishers have met with nothing but courtesy and assistance from 
the public. The subscription list was much smaller than the pub- 
lishers hoped and expected to receive; and although the margin of 
profit was thus cut down to the lowest limit, no curtailment or omis- 
sion of matter was made fi'om the original extensive design of the 
work. No subject promised is omitted, and many not promised are 
given. The publishers call special attention to the great quantity of 
fact crowded into the volume, and to its fine mechanical execution. 
With many thanks to our friends for the success of our difBcult enter- 
prise, we respectfully tender this fine volume to our patrons. 

September, 1890. THE PUBLISHERS. 



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CONTENTS. 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 

CHAPTER I. 

Geology, Pbysiciil Descriptiou, Water Courses, Timber, Soil, Minerals aud 
Climate — Geological Formations — Tlie Geologic Uplifting of Kansas Gradual — 
Missing Formations — Kansas Never Volcanic — Fossils of the Pliocene Age — 
Remains in the Niobrara Formation — The Chalk of Western Kansas — The 
"Monument" and "Castle" Rocks — Traces of the Age of Reptiles— Fantastic 
Sandstone Formations — Economic Geology— Limestone, Gypsum, Clay, Salts, 
Lead and Zinc — The Geographical Center of the Union — State Boundaries and 
Dimensions 0-19 

CHAPTER II. 

A General Account of the Settlement of Kansas — Coronado's Expedition — The 
"Louisiana Purchase " — Names of the State— Kansas' Trials — Settlement in 
the Several Counties — Pioneer Experiences— Indian Troubles and Atrocities 
— Early Elections and Improvements — Town Companies — Primitive Births, 
Marriages and Deaths 30-55 

CHAPTER III. 

Territorial and State Organization — A Scheme of Enterprising Missourians — 
Hall's Uniontown " Constituency "—Election in the Wyandotte Nation — Act 
Organizing Kansas and Nebraska — First Territorial Appointments — First Ter- 
ritorial Election Proclamation — Kansas' Four Constitutions — The Topeka, 
Lecompton, Leavenworth and Wyandotte Constitutional Conventions — 
Graphic Pen-Pictures of these Historic Deliberations — The Distinguished Par- 
ticipants in Them — Territorial and State Governors — Elections— State Offi- 
cers 5(5-77 

CHAPTER IV. 

Kansas in the Rebellion — First Call for Volunteers — Quota Assigned to the State 
more than Filled — Sketches of Regimental History — Infantry and Cavalry 
Organizations — Batteries — Colored and Indian Troops — Casualties — The Gov- 
ernor's Military Staff, 1861-1863-186.5— Cost to Kansas of the Price Raid and 
Curtis Expedition — Tedious Settlement of War Claims ..78-94 

CHAPTER V. 

The Growth of Cities in the State — An Advocate of Kickapoo — "Cities" of the 
Past — Pawnee — Quindaro — Delaware — Sumner — Doniphan — Elwood — Other 
"Cities on Paper" — Their Influential Projectors and Promoters — Lecompton 
and Minneola — The Cities of the Present — Kansas City— Topeka— tLeaven- 
worth — Fort Scott — Lawrence — Other Municipalities — The Centers of Trade 
and Finance and the Results of Energy and Well-Directcd Effort 9.5-101 



:V 



Ml 




CHAPTER VI. 

The Bench and Bar of Kansas — Under the Territorial Government — Under the 
State Government — The Supreme Court — District Courts — Composition of 
Districts — Tlie Judiciary — Two Distinguished Chief Justices — High Standing 
of the Bar of the State 103-106 

CHAPTER VII. 

General Account of Religious Denomiuatious — Tlie Pre-Territorial Era — The Ter- 
ritorial Era — The War Era — Tlie Era of Peace and Prosperity — Facts and Sta- 
tistics of Growtli — Characteristics of the Churclics of Kansas 107-110 

CHAPTER VIII 

Historical Slcetcli of State Educational Institutions and -Affairs — Value of Public 
Education — Pioneer Schools — The Scliools under the Territorial Organiza- 
tion — Territorial Superintendents of Public Instruction — Tlie Schools in 1860 — 
The Public School System of To-day — Successive State Superintendents of 
Public Instruction — State Normal Schools — The State Agricultural College — 
University of the State of Kansas — How the Common Schools are Main- 
tained — Statistics — Denominational Educational Institutions 111-115 

CHAPTER IX. 

Growth and Development of Industries and Material Interests — A Brilliant 
Record — Railway Construction and Development — Agricultural Progress — 
Manufacturing Enterprise — Statistics and Prospects — Character of Popula- 
tion — Successive Aggregates 116-119 

CHAPTER X. 

Distinguished Men of Kansas Past and Present — Short Biographical Sketches of 
Celebrities Whose Names Have Come to be Household Words — Gov. Lyman 
U. Humphrey — Senator John J. Ingalls — The First Territorial Governor — 
The First State Governor — The Famous "Jim" Lane — Gov. Crawford — United 
States District Attorney Hallowell — Kansas' First Democratic Executive — 
Senator Preston B. Plumb — " Ottawa" Jones — Chief Justice Horton — A Well- 
Remembered State Printer — The First Chief Justice — The Champion of the 
"Homestead Law" — Prof. Mudge — Col. Anthony — Judge Brewer — Gov. 
Medary 120-142 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XI. 



Location — Topography — Altitude — Economical Geology — Explorations — In- 
dians — Settlement — First Election — Indian Treaties — Surveyor-General's 
Office — Land Surveys — Indian Settlers — First White Settlers — Indian Ceme- 
tery — First Marriages, etc., etc 143-175 



-^ 



'6 ^ 



^ 



CHAPTER XII. 

County aud Township Organization and Acts of tlie County Board — Act of the 
Legislature Creating and Organizing the County of Wyandotte — Election of 
Temporary County Officers — Old Leavenworth County Records — First Poll- 
books — The Jail — Early Taxes — Settlement Between Wyandotte and Leaven- 
worth Counties — The Quindaro and Wyandotte Road — Ferry Licenses — Early 
Election Precincts — Locaticm of the County Seat — Seal- — Early Jurors — Pro- 
ceedings in 1860 — Division of the County into Commissioner Districts — Pur- 
chase of the Old Court-House Property cm Nebraska Avenue, Wyandotte — 
The Plat of Wyandotte Lands Recorded— Grand and Petit Jurors for 1861-63 
Election Figures, 1861— Organization of Townships 176-200 

CHAPTER XIII. 

County Interests, Commercial, Political, Otticial and Statistical — An Unparalleled 
Railwaj' System — How Projected and Developed — The Story of Early and 
Later Railroad Construction — A Celebrated MurderTliat CTrewOutof Personal 
Difficulties Between Railroad Projectors and Builders — The Railway System 
of the Present — Post-offices in Wyandotte County — Banks — Public Buildings 
The Poor Farm — Fair Associations — First Election in Wyandotte County — 
First Meeting of the County Commissioners — The County's Civil List^-Statis- 
tics of Taxaticm, Bonded Indebtedness, Agriculture, Horticulture and Stock- 
raising — Wyandotte County as a Manufacturing Center — Population — General 
Claims of Pre-eminence 201-253 

CHAPTER XIV. 

The Judicial District and the District Court — First Session — Judge John Pettit— 
Falling of the Court-room — Judges McDowell, Brewer, Burris, Stevens, Wag- 
staff, Hiudman and Miller — The Bar — First Grand Jury — First Cases — First 
Petit Jury- Probate Court— Important Trials— Wills m. Wood— The Ice Case 
—Title to Church Property— Homicides— Lynchings— The Strike of 1886— 
Trials of Hamilton and Others for Wrecking Train, etc 253-375 

CHAPTER XV. 

Freedom and Slavery — First Regiment Kansas Volunteers — Infantry, Second 
Regiment Infantry — Fifth Regiment Cavalry — Sixth Regiment Cavalry — 
Tenth Regiment Infantry — Twelfth Regiment Cavalry — Fifteenth Regiment 
Cavalry — Sixteenth Regiment Cavalry — First Regiment Kansas Colored 
Troops— Rosters of Officers and Enlisted Meu from Wyaudottc County ... .276-309 

CHAPTER XVI. 

First Free School — First Teachers — Constitutional Provisions — ^School Funds — 
School Lands — School Statistics — Value of School Property — Bonded Indebt- 
edness — Cost of the Schools — Normal Institute — Schools in Kansas City — 
Scholastic Population — Enrollment — High School ^ Kindergarten — Private 
and Parochial Schools— Old Academy, etc 310-332 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Churches of the County — A Reversal of the Usual Order of Events and the Intro- 
duction of Christianity by the Indians — Church Beginnings in Diiferent De- 
nominations — Division of the Methodist Church into "North" and "South" 






;f^ 



3' — ^ 



liL 



Churches— The Cliurehes of To-day— Statistics Showing Their Number, Tlieir 
Membership, and the Number and Value of Their Houses of Worship 323-333 

CHAPTER XVIII 

Quindaro a Famous Pioneer Town — Town Company — Rapid Growth — Rush of Im- 
migrants — Rival Towns — Road to Lawrence — Steamer Liglitfoot — Decline and 
Fall of Quindaro — Rosedale — Its Progress — Incorporation — First and Succes- 
sive Officers — Development — Argentine — Its Town Company — Ineorporatii>n 
— Officers — Smelting Works — Industries — Churches — Societies— Press— Ed- 
wardsville — Indian Chief Half Moon— Edwardsville Cemetery — White Cliurch 
— Bethel — Pomeroy — Connor — Turner Smelting Works — Bonner (Saratoga) 
Springs— Civil Townships 334-350 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Origin of Wyandotte — Indian Occupancy — United States Indian Agency — First 
Temperance Society — First Jail — Wyandotte Indian Convention — Treaty of 
1855 — Land Office — Survey of Wyandotte — Rush of Immigration — Rapid 
Growth — First Enterprises — Election in 1857 — Scene at the Wyandotte Conven- 
tion in 1850— First Post-office- Death of the Members of the Wyandotte City 
Company — Incorporation — Roster of Officers — City Additions — Former Kan- 
sas City — Armourdale — Press — Meetings at Wyandotte September 4 and 23, 
1875 — Predictions as to the Future Metropolis — Consolidation — Governor's 
Proclamation 351-386 

CHAPTER XX. 

The Consolidated Cities — Review of the ]li>tnry of Consolidation — First and Sub- 
sequent Officials Since the Consolidation — Present City Officers — Wards and 
Precincts — The City's Great Real Estate Interests — A City of Homes — The 
City's Finances — Wonderful Progress of Street Improvement — Banks — Incor- 
porated Companies — Educational Progress and Statistics — The Young Men's 
Christian Association — Reasons for the City's Growth — Kansas City's Manu- 
facturing Status — Its Great Grain Market and Gigantic Elevators — Facts and 
Figures from Reliable Sources of the City's Remarkable Progress and Great 
Interests — The Census — A Suggestion of the Future — Armourdale's Progress — 
The Mayor's Annual Message, 18()0 387^123 

CHAPTER XXI. 

City Institutions of the Consolidated Cities — Other Institutions of Public Benefit 
— Police Department — The Fire Department — The Board of Trade — The Post- 
office — Electric Lighting — The Fremont Street and Reynolds Avenue Market 
House — St. Margaret's Hospital — The Kansas Institution for the Education of 
the Blind — Headquarters of the Kansas Farmers' Alliance — Hotels, past and 
Present — Secret and Benevolent Orders 42.3-430 

CHAPTER XXII 

Kansas City's Great Street Railway and Rapid Transit Systems — Description of 
the Several Lines — Historj- of the Inter-State Consolidated Rapid Transit Rail- 
road Company — Sketch of the Metropolitan Street Railway Company — Elec- 
tric Lines to Armourdale and Argentine — Projected Lines — New York Com- 
ment on Kansas City's Street Railways — A Great Viaduct in Prospect 437-446 



"^^ 



^|v 



^ 



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CHAPTER XXIII. 

Kansas City's Immense Live Stock Market and Meat Packing Interests — Tlio 
Second Lary'est Pork-Paclving Center in tlie World — Rise and Progress of tlie 
Industry — Slcetclies of the Great Packing Establishments — Twenty-two Years 
of Meat Packing — An Era of Wonderful Progress — Contributory Causes — The 
Past Year's Remarkable Showing — Facts, Figures and Statistics — The Outlook 
for the Future '. . . .447-466 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Navigation of the Missouri and the Kaw — Kansas City's Favorable Location — The 
Advent of Steamboats on the Missouri — The Days of Pioneer Navigation — 
"Boating" Before the War — Rival Lines — Exciting River Races— Old Boats 
and Captains — First Discussion of Barge Navigation — Efforts and Failures — 
The Movement Crushed by the Panic of 1873 — Revived Fimr Years Later — 
Barge Transportation Tried and Found Feasible — Misfortunes and Antagonis- 
tic Influences — River Improvement^ — Congressional Appropriations — 111 Ad- 
vised Expenditures and Consequent Disappointmeut — Other Navigation Move- 
ments — Organization of the Kansas City and Missouri River Transportation 
Company — The Construction and Arrival of the Mason, the State of Kan- 
sas and the State of Missouri — Benefits to Accrue from the Enterprise — An 
Enthusiastic Celebration — Part in it of Kansas City, Kas.— Account of the 
Navigation of the Kansas River 467-486 



Biographical 487-894 






^1 



r 



^HISTORY OF KANSAS,^ 



CHAPTER I. 



Geology, Physical Description, Water Courses, Timber, Soil, 
Minerals and Climate— Geological Formations— The Geo- 
logic Uplifting op^ Kansas Gradual— Missing Formations- 
Kansas Xever Volcanic— Fossils of the Pliocene Age— Re- 
mains in the Xiobkaua Formation— The Chalk of Western 
Kansas— The "Monument" and "Castle" Rocks— Traces of 
THE Age of Reptiles— Fantastic Sandstone Formations- 
Economic Geology— Limestone, Gypsum, Clay, Salts, Lead and 
Zinc— The Geographical Center of the L'nion— State Bound- 
aries AND Dimensions. 




(pliocene), 
(Niobrara), 



" About me round I saw 
Hill, dale and shady woods, and sunny plains, 
Anil liquid lapse of murm'ring streams." 



VERY intelligent reader of the history of a 

State is interested primarily in its geology — 

(he story of the growth of the terra firma 

composing and underlying it. The devout 

student of Nature is filled with awe as he is 

brought to view the successive processes of 

•* ' the Great Architect, as, layer upon layer, 

thiough the ages of the past. He laid the foundations 

of the earth. 

A vertical section of the soil underlying the State of 
Kansas, had it rested undisturbed during the ages of its 
formation and to the present time, would have presented 
the order and approximate thickness of the various 
formations, as follows: 1, Post tertiary formation — allu- 
vium, loess (bluff), drift 150 feet; 2, tertiary — sandstone 
1,500 feet; 3, cretaceous (chalky) — limestone and .shale 
200 feet;- Fort Benton, 260 feet; sandstone (Dakota, 500 



Ml 



10 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



feet), 960 feet; 4, upper carboniferous — limestone and shale, 2,000 
feet; 5, coal measure — coal in limestone and shale, 600 feet; 6, sub- 
carboniferous — limestone, 150 feet. 

The present succession of the strata from the highest elevation in 
the northwestern portion of the State to the lowest in the southwest 
shows the order of formation as above stated to be unbroken. By the 
gradual upheaval of some portions of the area, or the sinking or 
unequal changes in others, the strata no longer rest horizontally one 
above the other, but dip downward to the northwest, so that the edges 
of the several formations, even to the lowest, the coal measures, are 
brought to or near the surface of the soil in some sections of the 
State. In the foregoing order of formation the striking fact has been 
noted that the oldest rocks are not seen, and that the deposits of 
important ages and parts of ages of more recent date are also missing. 
Thus, the Triassic and Jurassic ages were either never deposited within 
the bounds of Kansas and the adjoining territory, or, in the grand 
operations of nature, all those deposits have been eroded and swept 
away, leaving no trace of their existence. This allows the Dakota 
(cretaceous sandstone) to rest directly on top of the carboniferous, and 
nearly if not quite in conformity, the geological level of the two being 
apparently identical. The absence of four groups in succession has 
also been noted, usually found between the pliocene rock of the ter- 
tiary period and the middle formations of the cretaceous, allowing the 
pliocene of the latter age to rest directly on the Niobrara or middle of 
the cretaceous. 

Nowhere in the State are there any evidences of violent disturb- 
ance of the strata or metamorphic indications in any of the formations. 
The gradual uplifting of this State and adjoining territory from the 
level of the ocean must have been slow, uniform, and in a perpendic- 
ular direction, which has left all the strata in a nearly horizontal posi- 
tion. This may have been as slow as that now going on in Florida, 
or a rise of five feet in a century. From our knowledge of the geology 
of the West, this undoubtedly took place after the rise of the Rocky 
Mountains, and probably did not come to a close until the drift period. 
The origin of the rivers, therefore, may date back as far, at least, as 
the beginning of this uprising. As the channels (valleys) cut by them 
are large, and often through heavy beds of limestone, the earlier pro- 
cesses may date still farther back in geological history. 

The rock formations do not crop out to any great extent, but are 
generally hidden by the post-tertiary deposits, alluvium, loess and 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 11 



drift. The two former, which have already Ijeen noticed, are of more 
recent formation than the drift, which underlies them, resting on the 
tertiary sandstone below. It consists of quartz, gravel, pebbles and 
sand, differing very little from the same deposits found in other parts 
of the country, and having a like origin, viz., the glacial, or ice period. 
It is intermixed with large metamorphic stones and bowlders of strati- 
fied quartz, greenstone and other rocks, not among the formations of 
this State. The nearest permanent formations similar are found hun- 
dreds of miles north and east. The deposit of line drift material sel- 
dom exceeds five feet in depth. In a general sense it may be said that 
the post-tertiary formation in some form— alluvium, loess, drift or 
mixtures of the same — covers, as with a blanket, all the lower rocky 
strata in whatever order they may come to the surface. The surface 
rock is not the same throughout the State, but shows, within different 
areas and we'1-detined limits, different rock formations from the high- 
est to the lowest. 

The pliocene group of the tertiary system, the first in vertical order, 
is seen only in the northwestern portion of the State, which has the high- 
est altitude. The territory covered by this formation extends along 
the north line of the State eastward, as far as the middle of Jewell 
County. The eastern and southern line of demarcation runs south and 
west, embracing the northwest quarter of Jewell and the north half of 
Smith and Phillips Counties; thence southwesterly, nearly to the 
southwest corner of Norton County ; thence east through Graham and 
into Rooks County, where, with a return bend of some eight or ten 
miles, it turns to the west, through Graham County, to the south line 
of Sheridan County; thence along and near the south line of Sheridan, 
Thomas and Sherman Counties, to the western line of the State, somQ 
eight miles south of the latter county. Another detached spur covers 
all of Greeley and the north quarter of Hamilton County, extending 
east, over the south half of Wichita and Scott Counties, into the south- 
west quarter of Lane County. 

The fossils of this formation, over a considerable part of the plio- 
cene area, are scarce, or entirely wanting. In some localities, particu- 
larly in Smith and Norton Counties, and in Ellis and Trego Counties, 
where small detached areas of the formation exist, they are quite 
numerous. They are of species common to the closing period of the 
pliocene — "the bones of deer, beaver, a large animal of the ox kind, 
two species of the horse, one smaller than the small Indian ponies, a 
wolf, ivory of the elephant and mastodon, bones of the rhinoceros and 



^, 






lii. 



12 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



camel and also remains of an undetermined character. ' ' Remains of 
a large, fresh-water turtle, five feet in length, and those of a smaller 
size have been found; also a few species of moUusks. The remains of 
the horse are quite common, having been found from Smith County to 
the vicinity of Ellis, in Ellis County, and prove that horses roamed the 
plains of Kansas ages before the herds descended from the escaped 
steeds of the Spanish cavaliers of the fifteenth century. Prof. Mudge 
writes, that among the fossil remains of horses, he found one in the 
northern part of Ellis County, in 1875, of the celebrated three-toed 
species, having three hoofs coming to the ground, the feet with the 
three toes being in an excellent state of preservation. The bones were 
badly broken, and much of the skeleton missing, but sufficient to show 
it was of small size. The remains of the common horse, of about the 
same size as those now existing, and with the markings of the teeth 
quite similar, were found in the same geological horizon with the 
extinct three toed species, showing that they had a contemporaneous 
existence. The ivory and bones in the upper pliocene are found firmly 
fossilized, and sometimes changed to a hard, compact silica. In the 
process of petrifaction a tusk seen must have been so softened as to 
admit the intermixture of black oxide of manganese in solution, which 
then crystalized in delicate sprigs. The ivory was next silicified 
into nearly pure quartz, with the usual hardness of that substance. 
The ivory was thus converted into the so-called moss agate. 

Directly eastward of the pliocene, and stretching entirely across 
the State in a northeasterly and southwesterly direction, is the creta- 
ceous, covering an area of nearly 40,000 square miles. The Niobrara 
is the upper formation in the cretaceous system, and in Kansas differs 
from the same deposits in Nebraska and on the Niobrara River, some- 
what in its physical features, but more especially in its fossils, which, 
in Kansas, yield a richer and more varied type of vertebrates, and of 
the saurian genera. It covers a hill of country next adjoining the plio- 
cene, about thirty miles in width, in the northern part of the State, 
widening southward to nearly sixty miles in the Smoky Hill Valley. 
It is composed of chalk and chalky shales. The chalky rock varies in 
color from buff to pure white, and is generally too soft for building 
material. The pure white specimens consist of pure carbonate of lime, 
and can not be distinguished from the best quality of foreign chalk. 
The soft, fine-grained white stone, known in commerce as chalk, is 
found nowhere in North America except in Western Kansas. It differs 
from the chalk of Europe in the absence of the rhizopod shells, which 



-4^- 




•£:, 



comprise, generally, ca large part of its raaterial. Regarding the Kan- 
sas chalk. Prof. G. E. Patrick, of the Kansas State University, states: 
"Examined under the microscope, it appears perfectly amorphous — a 
simple aggregation of shapeless particles. The rhizopod shells which 
almost universally occur in the chalk of the old world, sometimes com- 
prising nearly its entire substance, seem to be quite wanting in our 
Kansas chalk. With a good microscope and a high power, I have 
been unable to detect a trace of them." This deposit in its purity is 
found in Trego County, where it appears in seams varying from a foot 
to eight feet in thickness. It is manufactured quite extensively into 
whiting, which exceeds in excellence of quality the best manufactured 
from foreign chalk, as, unlike that, it never contains flint nodules. 

Seams of pure calc-spar, usually in flat crystals, from one to six 
inches in thickness, are quite common in the shales, and occasionally 
appear in the chalk strata. In the darker shales are sometimes found 
nodules of pyrites, lenticular in form. Occasionally they appear in 
fine crystals of various shades of brown. The thickness of the Nio- 
brara formation varies from seventy- five to 200 feet. 

Along the courses of the streams and ravines, owing to the soft 
nature of the rock, canons occur, similar to those in Dakota and Ne- 
braska, though on a smaller scale; and in some localities remains of 
the formations, in detached masses, worn by the flow of ancient waters, 
stand high above the surrounding plain, fantastic monuments of the 
period when they were created. Fine specimens of these forms of 
Nature's sculpture are the Monument Rocks, in the Smoky Hill Val- 
ley, Gove County, and the Castle Rocks, of Ellis County, varying in 
height from fifty to seventy-five feet. 

The Niobrara is the upper formation of the cretaceous period, 
which embraces the latest division of the mesozoric time. In the rocks 
of this period, reptiles first became numerous and predominant, as 
shown in the fossils, which are so plentiful as compared with others 
as to mark the period as the age of reptiles. The fossils, however, 
are not confined to them, but cover the whole range of co-existent 
vegetable and animal life. Fossils of marine plants are occasionally 
found, but evidences of land vegetation are confined to a few specimens 
of fossilized wood, which are found but seldom. In a single instance, 
Prof. Mudge found the fibrous structure of a palm. This alone marks 
the climate of that age as tropical, if it was of indigenous growth. 
Islands must have existed in this cretaceous ocean, as the breeding 
places of the birds whose fossils have been found, and as resting places 

*^A ^ ^=-r^ 



14 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



for the amphibious animals which vere then numerous. They may 
have been only bare rocks, supporting no growth of trees. The fossils 
of the cretaceous sea, as fouud in the Kansas formation, embrace a 
wider range, and a larger proportion of the whole number known to 
scientists as cretaceous, than any section of the American system. 

The Fort Benton formation, lying directly beneath the Niobrara, 
is found east of the Niobrara section. The upper portion of the Ben- 
ton group consists of a heavy bed of soft, line-grained limestone, vary- 
ing in thickness from thirty to sixty feet. It lies along the east line 
of the Niobrara, and from its massiveness and persistency, shows a 
well-delined horizon between the two groups. It is laminated, the 
layers being from one to three feet thick. It is an excellent building 
stone, and, when burned, yields good quicklime. Below the limestone 
is a stratum of some sixty feet of soft, slate-colored shale. It abounds 
in flattened nodules of hard clay marl (septaria), varying in diameter 
from one inch to six feet. They are frequently threaded with cracks, 
lined with crystals of calc-spar, which sometimes extend to the outer 
edges of the concretions, being filled with white lime. These latter, 
with their fancifully defined proportions, are often mistaken for fossil 
turtles. Below this, to the bottom of the Benton group, 140 feet, are 
shales varying in color and hardness, and interstratified by layers of 
limestone, composed largely of marine shells. All the strata below 
the heavy upper bed of limestone are variable in their composition, 
the predominant component being on the same horizon, clay, sand or 
lime, as the case may be. There is no thick, persistent stratum of 
any kind. The total thickness of the Benton group is 260 feet. As a 
part of the cretaceous system, and directly underlying the Niobrara, 
where evidences of animal life are so profuse, it might naturally be 
expected that a like abundance of fossil remains would appear, but 
investigation is mainly disappointing. The Dakota group is the low- 
est in the cretaceous system, resting directly in the upper carbonifer- 
ous (Permian) group. 

The prevailing material of this group is sandstone, brown and 
variegated in color. It varies in compactness from that which can be 
easily crushed between the fingers to the hardest, which requires the 
heavy blows of a sledge-hammer to fracture. The more compact forma- 
tions owe their hardness to the presence of the oxides and silicates of 
iron. It furnishes, wherever found, an excellent building stone. In 
some places a poor quality of lenionite (brown iron ore) is deposited. 
The most frequent overlaying, or inter-stratification, is of clay shale, 

^ W I ~ — ■ \ HP 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 15 



of varying color. In the ledges are found concretions of curious and 
fanciful form — some hollowed out like a bowl or vase, in tubular form, 
some as large as three inches in diameter and eight feet in length. 
Some of these concretions are glazed and distorted, as if exposed to 
the action of fire. This appearance is attributed, not to any applica 
tion of heat, but to the oxidation of iron, which would seem to be 
proven by the fact that within the tubes are frequently found inclosed 
well preserved fossil impressions of leaves, which would have been 
destroyed by the action of fire. The concretions of the white sand- 
stone are sometimes found in disk forms, of several feet in thickness, 
and six to eight feet across, the softer formation of sandstone on the 
sides and partly underneath being washed or wasted away. They 
remain as tablets, supported by one or more columns of the sandstone 
still remaining, in shape very like a toad-stool, where the supporting 
shaft is single. Where the erosion has been only on the sides and not 
sufiiciently low to sculpture the column beneath, they rest on the sur- 
face of the ground, and in their appearance resemble a cluster of hay- 
cocks. The average width of the Dakota is something less than fifty 
miles, being widest in the southern part of the State. The fossil found 
of this group is meager, but its flora is varied and interesting. 

The upper carboniferous (Permian) area lies east of and adjoining 
the lower strata of the cretaceous. It covers an area of nearly "20,000 
square miles, and has a thickness of nearly 2, 000 feet. The deposits 
consist of limestones, clay shales, sandstones, and, in the upper por- 
tions, gypsum and chert-beds. The region as a whole shows only these 
and occasional seams of coal. 

The area of coal measures covers about 9,000 square miles in the 
southeastern part of the State, and embraces the counties of Cherokee, 
Labette, Montgomery, Chautauqua, Elk, Wilson, Neosho, Crawford, 
Bourbon, Allen, Woodson, CofPey, Anderson, Linn, Osage and parts 
of Franklin and Miami, along the northern line of demarcation; also 
the eastern part of Greenwood and Lyon Counties. All these counties 
are in some degree supplied with coal. Whether the whole area is 
underlaid with coal or not can not be definitely ascertained till a thor- 
ough geological survey has been made. The general structure of the 
rock is that of the productive coal measures elsewhere found, and the 
experimental borings have been sufficiently numerous, and attended 
with such favorable results as to warrant the belief that the deposit 
exists in paying quantities in most parts of the area above described. 

The material of the dej^osits is similar to those of the upper car- 



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S v> 



16 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



boniferous, consisting of shale, sandstone and limestone, the latter 
being very persistent over large areas. The other strata are quite 
variable, as are the immediate layers of coal. The coal measures of 
Kansas are a part of an immense coal field, which covers, as stated by 
Prof. Swallow, "a large part of the Indian Territory south, all East- 
ern Kansas, the northwestern half of Missouri, Southern Iowa and 
Southeastern Nebraska." The Kansas bed is in the western part of 
the field above described, and shows the thickest, purest and most 
valuable and accessible layers in the counties above named. 

The coal measures, as their various strata show, were alternately 
beneath and above the salt sea, the changes occurring many times 
during the period of their formation. This ancient rising and sinking 
of the bosom of the sleeping earth has left its unquestionable record 
in its fossils, which embrace the marine fossils in the limestone and 
other sea formations, while the intermediate deposits and the coal 
seams abound in vegetable and animal remains of terrestrial life. 

The sub-carboniferous area (Keokuk), the lowest formation of the 
Kansas strata, appears only in a small triangular area, lying east and 
south of the irregular line of Spring River, in the southeast corner of 
Cherokee County. The coiu'se of the river is controlled by the ledges 
of this group along its eastern bank. The whole area does not exceed 
fifty square miles. The thickness of this formation is 150 feet. It 
consists of chert and cherty conglomerate at the top, and coarse, gray 
limestones and horn stones below. It is very much broken, and the 
beds of limestone and chert are so intermingled that in some places 
the original stratification is entirely obliterated, while it is nowhere 
easily discernible. The chert in some places forms irregular beds, 
and in others appears in loose masses of many tons' weight. The area 
is chiefly interesting as being similar to that which yields so richly of 
lead and zinc in the adjoining counties of Missouri, and in which a 
few paying mines in Kansas have been found. The fossils found are 
only important as aiding the geologist to fix the geological age of the 
formation. 

To the utilitarian, to whom all scientific research is valuable, 
according to its beneficial results as they may be adapted to the con- 
venience or well-being of man, the knowledge of the geological struct- 
ure of Kansas gives most bounteous returns, which will increase with 
each new discovery. All products having intrinsic worth — building 
materials, fuel, fertilizers, etc. — are found in abundance, and are dif- 
fused and plentiful in ratio to the natural wants of man. Stone suita- 



J'- 



^ 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 17 



ble for huikliiig purposes is found in abundiance in nearly all parts of 
the State. The varieties include magnesian limestone, blue and gray 
limestone, and great quantities of sandstone and flagging stone. Stone 
from the Kansas quarries is used in some of the finest buildings in the 
country. For churches, court-houses. State and municipal buildings, 
nothing can be found superior to the product of the various quarries 
of the State. Material suitable for the manufacture of ordinary brick 
exists everywhere. The bars along the water courses furnish sand. 
The limestone affords abundant supply of low-priced quicklime. In- 
deed, all the requisites of building exist in abundance, and are, conse- 
quently, remarkably cheap in all parts of the State. Inexhaustible 
beds of bituminous coal, valuable for fuel and for manufacturing uses, 
are found in the eastern and central districts of the State. In several 
counties, the mining and shipping of coal constitute one of the im- 
portant industries, and a constantly increasing source of wealth. The 
business affords employment and support to a large number of persons, 
and it is rapidly growing in extent and importance. The workable 
deposits range in thickness from twenty to fifty inches. The main coal 
area is traversed by several important lines of railway, thus making 
directly tributary to this district an immense outlying region, which is 
crowded with thriving towns and prosperous farms. A fine quality of 
natural gas has been discovered in some parts of the State, and is 
being successfully used for light, fuel and manufacturing purposes, at 
a saving over other kinds of fuel and light of from twenty-five to thirty 
per cent. Lead mines are profitably worked in the southeastern part 
of the State. Large and prosperous communities are being established 
in the vicinity of the lead mines, as also in the vicinity of the coal 
mines. Zinc is found in paying quantities. Kansas has taken its 
place among the large producers of salt of the best quality known to 
commerce. Since 1867 salt has been made from brine obtained from 
wells near the mouth of the Solomon River, in Saline Coanty. An 
extended area in the central part of the State is underlaid with rock 
salt. It is found at various depths, from 450 to 925 feet. The thick- 
ness of the salt itself is from 125 to 250 feet. 

The State of Kansas embraces within its boundaries the geograph- 
ical center of the United States, excepting the remote and detached 
Territory of Alaska. The middle parallel of latitude between the 
southern cape of Floritla and the northern border of the State of Wash- 
ington, and the dividing meridian of longitude midway between the 
extreme eastern and western limits of the country, pass through the 



18 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



State, cutting it through its miildle north and south, and one degree 
south of its center east and west. The bisecting degree of latitude is 
38° north; the parallel of longitude, 22^ 30' west from Washington, 
the intei-secting point being at the northwest corner of Reno County. 
The State is 204 miles in width from north to south, and slightly ex- 
ceeds 400 miles in length from east to west. It is bounded on the 
north by the State of Nebraska, east by the State of Missouri, south 
by the Indian Territory and west by the State of Colorado. 

It has the general form of a rectangle, with a breadth of a 
little more than 200 miles from north to south, and a length of a little 
over 400 miles from east to west, containing an area of 81,318 square 
miles, or 52,288,000 acres. The general surface of Kansas is a rolling 
prairie, which gently ascends from the eastern border. Kansas 
presents a succession of rich prairies, hills and fertile valleys, 
diversified in its scenery; it has a rolling and varied surface, and a 
fertile soil. 

The State is well, supplied with rivers and creeks. On the eastern 
border the Missouri presents a water front of nearly 150 miles. The 
Kansas is formed by the junction of the Republican and the Smoky 
Hill Rivers, and from the point of confluence it flows east about 150 
miles to the Missouri. Lateral valleys on the north are formed by the 
Saline, Solomon and Blue Rivers, and other streams. The Osage 
River rises in the eastern part of the State, and after a southeast 
course of about 125 miles, enters Missouri. The Arkansas has its 
source in the Rocky Mountains, in Colorado. It runs through nearly 
three fourths of the length of Kansas, east and southeast, and, with its 
tributaries, waters two-thirds of the western and southern jiart of the 
State. Its lateral valleys on the north are traversed by the Walnut, 
Little Arkansas, Pawnee Fork and other streams, and on the south by 
the Ninnescuh, Chicaskia and other tine streams. The Neosho, rising 
in the central part of the State, runs southeast about 200 miles, receiv- 
ing in its course the Cottonwood and other streams. The Verdigris 
runs nearly parallel with the Neosho, receiving Fall River on the west. 
In the southwest are the Cimarron and Medicine, which flow for a con- 
siderable distance in the State, and a network of southern tributaries 
of the Arkansas. 

These rivers are not navigable, yet, with their tributaries, they make 
Kansas one of the best watered of the Western States. In most locali- 
ties, including the extreme western part of the State, good water is 
obtained within a reasonable distance of the surface by digging or 



l\^ 



HISTOKV OF KANSAS. 19 



boring. lu sume places, particularly in the western counties, artesian 
wells furnish valuable supplies of water. 

Timber is abundant along the streams in the eastern portion of the 
State. It is less plentiful in the central portion. The varieties of 
timber embrace oak, elm, black walnut, cottonwood, box elder, honey 
locust, willow, hickory, sycamore, white ash, hackberry and mulberry. 
The Osage orange makes a rapid and vigorous growth, and is not killed 
down by the winters, and it is extensively used for hedges. Stone, 
being plenty and cheap, is used in building dwellings, and also fences, 
barns and out-houses. 

Since the prairie tires have been stopped, the native growth of 
timber spreads and thrives. Forest trees and fruit trees, planted and 
taken care of, soon reward the planter with grateful shade and luscious 
fruit. 

Kansas can truthfully claim a greater amount of sunshine than the 
Eastern States. The records show that the average cloudiness is a 
little more than forty-four per cent. In the Southern States the average 
is forty-seven per cent; in the New England States it is fifty-three per 
cent, while in Great Britain it reaches seventy-one percent. The win- 
ters generally break up in February, the first wild flowers often appear- 
ing before the end of that month. Tables showing the rate of mortality 
have not been kept, yet there can be no doubt as to the fact that Kan- 
sas compares favorably with any State, east or west, as regards the 
health of her people. The rolling surface of the country, and the 
ravines, furnish fine natural drainage, and as a result there are no 
swamps or marshes to breed fever and malaria. Many persons com- 
ing from the East to Kansas find their health greatly improved, es- 
pecially by residence in the western portion of the State. 



'*^-^=^ =;=ifv 



A 



20 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



CHAPTER II. 



A General Account of the Settlement of Kansas— Coronado'.s Ex- 
pedition—The "Louisiana Pukchase"— Xames of the State— 
Kansas'Trials — Settlement IN the Several Counties— Pioneer 
Experiences— Indian Troubles and Atrocities— Early Elec- 
tions AND Improvements— Town Companies— Primitive Births, 
Marriages and Deaths. 



Ye pioneers, it is to you, 
The debt of gratitude is due. 
Ye builded wiser than ye knew 

The broad foundation 
On which our superstructures stand. 
Your strong right arm and willing hand, 
Your earnest efforts still command 

Our veneration. — Pinrre. 



'he early history of Kansas is not withoiit its 
romance, for it was on the plains of Kansas that 
Coronado and his band suffered so many hard- 
ships in their search for the country of Quivera 
and its fabled cities of gold. He crossed the 
State in a northeasterly direction, reaching the 
Missouri River near the present site of Atchison. 
Here the Spaniards, disappointed at not finding treas- 
ure, erected a cross bearing the inscription: "Thus 
far came Francisco De Coronado, general of an expe- 
dition " — and returned home to Mexico. They were 
the first white men to visit Kansas, and their letters de- 
scribe it then as now, a country rich in fruits, with a 
^l'^^ '113^ heavy black soil similar to the finest regions of Spain. 
In the early part of the eighteenth century Kansas 
was visited and often explored by the French, who 
mixed freely with the numerous tribes of Indians lo- 
cated along the Arkansas and Kansas Rivers. It became a part of the 
" Louisiana Purchase " in 1803, and afterward formed a portion of the 




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HISTOUY OF KANSAS. 



21 



Indian Territory. It was organized as a Territory in 1854, and ad- 
mitted as a State into the Union in January, 1801. 

The Territory of Kansas embraced, besides the jM-esent area of the 
State, all the lands between the parallels of 37° and 40° north lati 
tude, westward to the Rocky Mountains, except that part of New Mexico 
lying north of the thirty-seventh parallel. The whole area of the Ter- 
ritory, including what is now the State of Kansas, was 126,283 square 
miles. It was, with the exception of a small tract, a part of the above- 
mentioned " Louisiana Purchase," made by President Jefferson from 
France, April 30, 1803. By the terms of the treaty, France ceded to 
the United States all the country drained by the Mississippi and its 
tributaries to which she had any right or title. The boundaries were 
ill-defined, touching on the south and southwest the Spanish-Mexican 
possessions, and on the east the Spanish province of West Florida 
On the west shore of the Mississippi it extended to its source, embraced 
all the Missouri Valley, and stretched north of the Spanish-American 
possessions across the Eoeky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, and as 
far north on the Pacific Coast as the British possessions. For this vast 
domain the United States paid France the sum of 115,000,000. The 
province of Louisiana thus acquired comprised 1,100,577 square miles 
Its boundaries on the west and east were not definitely settled between 
this country and Spain till February 22, 1819, at which time a treaty 
was made defining its western and eastern boundaries, wherever con- 
tiguous to Spanish territory; and in consideration of the relinquish- 
ment by the United States of her claims to Texas, Spain ceded West 
Florida (now Alabama and Mississippi) and relinquished to the United 
States all claim to territory lying south of the thirty first parallel and east 
of the Mississippi River. Thus, that portion of Kansas lying west of the 
twenty-third meridian and south of the Arkansas River was ceded to 
Spain. On the achievement of independence by Mexico, in 1824, it 
passed into the possession of that Republic. Texas, on gaining her in- 
dependence in 1830, claimed it as part of her domain, which cfaim was 
subsequently confirmed by the treaty between the United States and 
Mexico at the close of the war, February 22, 1848. It finally became 
a part of the Government domain by purchase, it being a part of the 
territory ceded to the United States by Texas in 1850, that State re- 
ceiving 110,000,000 as a consideration. 

The name— Kansas— is derived from the name of the dominant 
tribe of Indians found in the Territory when first visited by white 
men. They were variously spoken of by early explorers as Kanzas, 



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22 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Canceas, Cansez, Kansez, Caazas, Canzes, Okanis, Kaasies, Canses, 
Canzon, Kanzon, Koaza, Konzas, Kasas, Kaazan, Kanzana, and by 
other varied spellings, all having a similar phonetic expression. From 
these have come the legal recognition of the present orthography. 
Kansas is said to signify, in the language of the Kansas tribe, 
"smoky," and the South Fork of the Kansas is still known as Smoky 
Hill River. 

Kansas has gone through more trials, in her early life, as a Terri- 
tory and State, than any other State in the Union. Thirty- six years 
ago the slave oligarchy ruled the country. Fearing that the birth of 
new States in the West would rob it of supremacy, the slave power 
swallowed the Missouri Compromise, which dedicated the Northwest 
to freedom. The industrious North, aroused and indignant, struck 
quick and hard, and Kansas, full armed, shouting the war-cry of 
liberty, and nerved with invincible courage, sprang into the Union. 
The Territory was the scene of many an exciting conflict between the 
Abolitionists and the advocates of slavery, John Brown taking an 
active part against the latter. This enthusiast and martyr in the 
cause of freedom has left his imprint in Kansas, though he was never 
even a citizen, and when the war finally came on, the State gave voice 
and potency to the demand for abolition, and aided in burying seces- 
sion in its grave. 

The history of the settlement of the State is here given, so far as 
has been found practicable, by counties. For convenience of refer- 
ence the counties are treated in alphabetical order. 

The first settlement in Allen County was undoubtedly that of 
Richard J. Fuqua, in January, 1855. He located in the valley of 
the Neosho, in the northwestern part of the county. He was accom- 
panied by his family, consisting of his wife, two boys and three girls. 
He also had sixty head of cattle. He at once built a cabin, started a 
post, for the purpose of trading with neighboring tribes of Indians, 
and the next summer opened a farm. This post became a favorite 
resort of tbe Sac and Fox Indians, and often a very large number of 
them were camped in the timber along the river. Fuqua always 
strove to please them, gave dog feasts and other entertainment, and 
sold flour, groceries, calico, beads and other articles to them at a very 
high price. Fuqua made money rapidly, and kept up the post for a 
number of years, but finally abandoned it, and still later, in 1863, 
sold his large and well-improved farm and immigrated to Oregon. 
The second settlement in the county was made by B. W. Cowden and 



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HISTORY OF KANSAS. 23 



H. D. Parsons, who arrived in March, 1855, and selected claims in 
the valley of the Neosho River, near the mouth of Elm Creek. The 
next settlement was made near the mouth of Deer Creek, the same 
spring, by Maj. James Parsons, and his two sons, Jesse and James, 
and Mr. Duncan. During the spring and summer settlement pro- 
gressed quite rapidly, the most of it being along and near the Neosho 
River. Among the first settlers were H. H. Hayward, W. C. Keith, 
Henrj' Bennett, Elias Copelin, James Barber, Barnett Owen, A. W. 
J. Brown, J. S. Barbee, Thomas Day and Giles Sater. On Martin 
Creek the prominent settlers of that summer were Thomas Norris, 
Jesse E. Morris, Anderson Wray, George Hall, Dr. Stockton, A. C. 
Smith, Augustus Todd, Michael Kiser, Hiram Smith and Mr. Martin. 
The creek was so called in honor of the last named. During the sum- 
mer and fall of 1856, immigration continued. Promiuent among the 
settlers of that year were Nimrod Hankins, William M. Brown, Car- 
lyle Faulkner, Carroll Prewett, Henry Doren, G. A. Gideon, William 
Mayberry, Thomas Bashaw, M. W. Post and Joseph Ludley. The 
two last named came in February, 1856, being engaged in the 
survey of the standard parallels. 

Previous to the settlement of Anderson County by white men, it 
was occupied by the Pottawatomie Indians, who were removed from 
Indiana to their Ka nsas r eserve in 1837, by the United States Govern- 
ment. This principal village was just across the northern boundary of 
what is now Anderson County, at the place known as Dutch Henry's 
crossing, on the Pottawatomie. That stream derives its name from the 
above named tribe of Indians, and was so called about the time of their 
arrival. Soon after they located, they extended their settlement south 
and west along the streams. In 1838 they made some improvements on 
the present site of Greeley. This was the first settlement in the coun- 
ty. The Indians were removed from the county in 18-17-48. The 
lirst white settlement in the county was begun early in May, 1854, on 
the present site of Greeley, by Valentine Gerth and Francis Meyer. 
They were young Missourians, without families. A few days after the 
location of the two young men, Henry Harmon, with his family, located 
just north of where Greeley now is. Next came Oliver P. Rand, who 
settled in Sutton Valley. During the summer and fall they were joined 
by a few more settlers, among whom were Henderson Rice, J. S. Wait- 
man, W. D. West, Thomas Totton, Anderson Cassel and Dr. Rufus 
Gilpatrick. In the winter of 1854-55 a number of Germans from St. 
Louis located south of Greeley, and made some improvements, but in 



ii ^jT 



24 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



the spring of 1855 they left the Territory. When the first census 
was taken in Ja nuai 'y^ 1855, the names returned from Anderson 
County were Francis Meyer, Valentine Gerth and John C. Clark. Ow- 
ing to the outrages committed upon Free-State settlers, a military com- 
pany was organized in the fall of 1855, and was made up of Franklin 
and Anderson County men. It was called the Pottawatomie Rifle Com- 
pany. John Brown, Jr., was elected captain. Among the men from 
Anderson County were Jacob Benjamin, James Townsley, Allen 
Jaqua, Frank Ayres, D. G. "Watt, Samuel Mack, August Bondi, H. 
H. Williams, W. Ayres, M. Kilbourne and Dr. Ruf us Gilpatrick. This 
was one of the John Brown companies that made itself feared by the 
border ruffians. Among the prominent settlers of 1855 were Darius 
Frankenberger, M. M. Minkler, C. E. Dewey, H. H. Williams, E. 
Reynolds. James Sutton, Benjamin Davis, J. H. Wolken, J. H. Rock- 
ers, H. M. Rumley, Samuel Mack, John McDaniel, Zach Schutte, 
Charles Backer, James Townsley, C. H. Price, Jesse Sutton and Hen- 
derson Rice. Among the prominent settlers of 1856 were W. C. 
McDow, A. Simons, Samuel Anderson, Jacob Benjamin, August Bondi, 
James Y. Campbell, John S. Robinson, Solomon Kauffman, C. W. 
Peckham, William G. Hill, R. D. Chase, Samuel McDaniel, G. W. 
Yandall, William Tull, A. G. West, C. G. Ellis, R. Porter, John Kirk- 
laud, William Dennis, J. F. Wadsworth, H. Cavender, Frederick 
Tochterman and W. G. Nichols. 

The first settler of Atchison County was a Frenchman, named Pen- 
sinau, who, in 1839, married a Kickapoo Indian, and located on the 
banks of the Stranger, near Mount Pleasant. In June, 1854, a colony 
of immigrants crossed the river at latan. Mo., and took claims in the 
neighborhood of Oak Mills, Walnut Township. They were F. P. God- 
dard, G. B. Goddard, James Douglass, Allen Hanson and George A. 
Wright. Bat the actual settlers, and the founders of the city and county 
of Atchison, did not enter the Territory of Kansas until the next 
month. When the Kansas lands were thrown open to settlers in 1854, 
Senator Atchison and his friends at once founded a town, and named it 
in his honor. It was on the Fourth of July, 1854, that Senator Atchi- 
son and a few Platte County friends dedicated the new town. The 
town company at first required every settler to build a house at least 
sixteen feet square upon his lot. The survey of North Atchison was 
made in October, 1857, by J. J. Pratt, Dr. J. H. Stringfellow, pro- 
prietor. It consisted of the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of 
Section 36, Town 5 south. Range 20 east. A few days previous to the 



^ 



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HISTORY OF KANSAS. 25 



surveying of North Atchison, Lancaster, eleven miles west, was platted, 
no doubt with the intention of becoming the county seat. Sumner was 
at this time Atchison's most formidable rival. But the next year the 
dispute was settled in favor of Atchison, and her court-house was 
completed in 1859. 

The lands of Barbour County are all embraced in the ' ' thirty-mile ' ' 
and "three-mile" strips, formerly owned by the Osages and the 
Cherokees, respectively. These lands were ceded to the Government 
by the treaty of July 15, 1870, and were then offered for pre-emption, 
but not for homesteading, or timber-claim entry. They embraced 
some of the best hunting-grounds of the Osages, as the still plainly 
marked and numerous " buffalo wallows " testify. The first settler in 
the county was a man named Griffin, who located on a ranch about 
one mile from where Sun City now stands, in. the winter of 1871-72. 
This pioneer was killed in the Indian Territory the following summer, 
and C. H. Douglass is now the leading merchant in the town. In the 
spring of 1872, E. H. Mosley, Lockwood and Leonard located at 
Kiowa. Mosley had a small stock of goods which he traded to the 
Indians. He spent his time hunting buffalo and collecting the hides 
for market. Lockwood and Leonard attempted farming. July 
30, 1872, the Indians made a raid on the residences of Leonard and 
Lockwood, and in the tight Mosley was killed, the others saving their 
lives by remaining in the house, inside a stockade. Eli Smith located 
at the same place in October, 1872, and the first store was opened by 
G. Hegwer, in the spring of 1873. In December, 1872, Derrick Up- 
degraff located at Medicine Lodge, and, soon after, Salmon P. Tuttle. 
AVilliam Walters, W. E. Hutchinson, with two brothers, Jake Ryan, 
A. L. Duncan, David Hubbard and John Beebee made settlement at 
or near Medicine Lodge early in 1S73, and Samuel Larsh and a Mr. 
AVyncoop started a ranch at the mouth of Cedar Creek. Lake City 
was established by Reuben Lake April 6, 1873. 

Barton County is of later settlement, and was, until 1872, apart of 
Ellsworth County. The following were among its prominent resi- 
dents about that time: Thomas L. Morris, John H. Hubbard, George 
N. Berry, first county commissioners; M. W. Halsey, John Cook, and 
L. H. Lusk, second county commissioners; and the following first 
elected county officers: County clerk, W. H. Odell; register of deeds, 
T. L. Morris; clerk of district court, J. B. Howard; treasurer, E. L. 
Morphy; probate judge, D. N. Heizer; county attorney, J. B. How- 
ard; superintendent of schools, A. C. Moses; surveyor, John Favrow; 

2 



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26 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



shei'ifP, George W. Moses; coroner, D. B. Baker. At the same elec- 
tion at which these officers were chosen, the following justices of the 
peace were elected: For Lakin Township, D. P. Foster and A. W. 
Strong; for Great Bend Township, E. J. Dodge and James Holland; 
and for BufPalo Township, T. S. Morton and A. Keller. 

The first white men to locate in Bourbon County were United 
States officers and soldiers, at Fort Scott, in 1842. Eegular settle- 
ment began in 1854. Among the pioneers were the following: In 
1854, Nathan L. Arnett, in Marmaton Township, and Gideon Terrell, 
William and Philander Moore, in Pawnee Township; in 1855, Guy 
Hinton, in Walnut; Cowan Mitchell, James Guthrie, John and Rob- 
ert Wells, and David T. Ralston, in Marion; in 1856, John Van Syekle, 
Samuel Stephenson and Charles Anderson, in Franklin; D. D. Rob- 
erts and Josei)h Ray, in Freedom; H. R. Kelso, A. Ward and Col. 
Bullock, in Scott; Ephraim Kepley, the Stewarts, Bowers and Halls, 
in Mill Creek; Gabriel Endicott, David Claypool and others in Dry- 
wood. David Endicott assisted the Government in the survey of the 
neutral lands, and Edward Jones, one of the earliest settlers in Mar- 
maton Township, built the first saw-mill in the county, except one 
built by the Government. In Timber Hill Township, the earliest set- 
tlers were T. K. and T. B. Julian, father and son, June 4, 1854; F. 
D. Myrick, in November, 1854; and M. E. Hudson, in 1855. 

The earliest records state that Thurston Chase and James Gibbons 
staked claims on Wolf Creek, in Brown County, on May 11, 1854, and 
made some small improvements, but returned to the East in less than 
a month. In the same year W. C. Foster came to Brown County. 
From this time forward the tide of pioneers poured into the fertile 
country, and before the close of 1854 the farms of the new comers 
dotted the land in every direction. 

The first settlements in Butler County were as follows: Benton 
Township, April 13, 1878, by J. P. J. Nelson; Bloomington Town- 
ship, 1867, Samuel Rankin; Bruno Township, May, 1869, V. Smith, 
Chelsea Township, August, 1857, Bob DeRacken, G. T. Donaldson, 
P. G. D. Morton, J. C. Lambdin, I. Scott, Martin Vaught, Dr. Le- 
wellen, Charles Jefferson and J. and L. Cole; Clifford Township, 
1859, Mr. William Badley; El Dorado Township, May, 1857, William 
Hildebrande; Fairmount Township, 1869, Holland Ferguson; Hick- 
ory Township, 1869, Mr. Myers; Pleasant Township, spring of 1869, 
Marion Franklin; Phim Grove Township, 1860, Joseph H. Adams; 
Rock Creek Township, July, 1868, D. L. McCabe; Rosalia Town- 



^ .:- 



J^^ — ^ -^ — ^ ^ 




ship, July, 1809, Philip Kariis; Spring Township, April, 1866, Dave 
(afterward county commissioner), and H. W. Yates; Towanda Town- 
ship, 1858, William Vana, A. G. Davis, Chandler, Atwood, and 
others; Union Township, April 2, 1870, A. S. McKee; Walnut Town- 
ship, 1866, George Long. William Hildebrande, who came in May, 
1857, to El Dorado Township, was the first settler in Butler County. 
In Juno, 1857, Samuel Stewart, of Lawrence, organized a colony to 
settle in Butler County. July 9, 1857, Henry Martin, William Crim- 
ble, Jacob Carey, H. Bemis and William Bemis, with their families, 
settled near El Dorado. There were in this party ten other families. 

Chase County was generally settled about twenty years figo, though 
Seth Hayes and others came as early as 1854. James Fisher, another 
pioneer, came in 1855. In 1873 he was robbed and murdered in his 
house. Among prominent old citizens have been the following who 
have held county offices: Sidney A. Breese, who came in 1818, and 
was one of the county organizers; J. S. Doolittle, J. B. Smith, A. P. 
Gandy, A. S. Williams, W. S. Romigh, A. S. Howard, J. S. Ship- 
man, E. A. Alford, D. F. Drinkwater, O. H. Drinkwater, F. B. Hunt. 
H. E. Snyder, M. R. Leonard, H. L. Hunt, C. C. Whitson, Samuel 
Buchanan, S. N. Wood. Among the earliest settlers in Falls Town- 
ship were James Fisher, Milton Ford and A. P. Wentworth, who came 
in 1857. C. S. Hills was the postmaster at Cottonwood Falls, in 
1858; L. D. Hinckley opened a grocery store there in 1859. 

The first white settler in Chautauqua County was Richard Slater, 
in July, 1808, who settled in Salt Creek Valley, in Salt Creek Town- 
ship, the land at that time being owned by the Big and Little Osage 
Indians, from whom it was obtained by the Government under a treaty 
in 1870. In July, 1869, William Bowcher settled in La Fayette Town- 
ship, and, in the fall of the same year, settlement was first made in 
Harrison Township by O. Hanson; in Sedan Township, by H. S. Halla- 
day; Caneyville Township, by Alexander Shawver; in Summit Town- 
ship, by George M. Ross, and in Belleville Township, by John W. 
Morris and John Sutton. L. P. Getman established the first store in 
the county, at Elgin, and John Lee, William Gamble and Beadle 
Welsh started the first saw mill at the same place, and which they 
brought from Wisconsin in 1870. 

The first attempt at a settlement in Cherokee County was made in 
1842, when a detachment of United States soldiers attempted to estab- 
lish a fort on Spring River. The site selected by them was owned by 
John Rogers, a Cherokee Indian, who asked $4,000 for the piece of 



— sfV 



^M 



28 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



laad, but as $1,000 was the limit, beyond which the officer in command 
could not go, Fort Scott was finally selected. The next settlement 
was made in Shawnee Township, in 1858, by J. Pickerell. 

The first settlers of Clay County were Moses, William and Jere- 
miah Younkeus and John P. King, who came from Pennsylvania in 
April, 1856. Mrs. Moses Younkens was the first white woman and 
Mrs. J. B. Quimby the next. The first marriage occurred December 
IS, 1859, and the contracting parties were Lorenzo Gates, the 
first postmaster on Mall Creek, and Miss Lucinda Gill. George H. 
Purington and Miss Helen A. M. Morse were married May 6, 1860. 
In the winter of 1868-69, John Cain and Miss Alice Arnold were mar- 
ried by J. B. McLaughlin, justice of the peace, who stood on the opp>o- 
site bank of the Republican from the contracting parties. 

The first attempt at settlement in Cloud County was made in the 
fall of 1858, by John and Lew Fowler, hunters and trappers. The 
next year they, with G. W. Brown, platted a town site, and designated 
it Eaton City. They also built a house in the western part of what is 
now the city of Clyde, afterward called the Conklin House, which was 
torn down by a mob in 1862. In the spring of 1860 John Allen, of 
Kentucky, and his son-inlaw, Sutton MeWhorter, took claims north 
of Lake Sibley and laid out a town, which they named Union City. 
Three other families from Kentucky, comprising Allen's party, settled 
near him. While this party were building their cabins, Philija Kizer, 
Carey Kizer, and their brother-in-law, Newton Race, with their wives 
and children, selected a location on White Rock Creek. Messrs. Park, 
Heffington and Finney settled on Elm Creek about the same time; and 
during the year Daniel Wolf, from Pennsylvania, with several sons, 
located on Wolf Creek. Jacob Heller took a claim on June 20, 
1860, and his father, Moses, and two brothers, David and Israel, 
came to Cloud the coming fall. In October, 1860, Jacob accidentally 
shot himself, his death being the first in the county. July, 1860, J. 
M. Hagaman, J. M. Thorp and August Fenskie settled on Elm Creek. 

Prior to 1854 it is not known that any white man ever lived in 
Coffey County. The Sac and Fox Indians, whose reservation was 
north of the county, had a burial ground near the site of Burlington, 
and an Indian trail, from the Sac and Fox agency to the buffalo hunt- 
ing ground in Southwestern Kansas, also ran through the county, 
crossing the Neosho River at the point where Burlington now stands, 
and this trail was used for many years after the settlement of the 
county. The first white man who settled in the Neusho Valley was 



-^-. 



^1 



liL 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



29 



Frederick Troxel, in the woods, three-fourths of a mile south of the 
present town site of Le Roy. Mrs. Troxel was a sister of Gen. John B 
Scott, one of the founders of Le Roy. Gen. Scott and Thomas Crab- 
tree were, at this time, Indian traders at the Sac and Fox agency. 
The Hampden Colony was organized in Hampden Cjunty, Mass., 
March 1, 1855. The organization was for the purpose of efPectino- a 
settlement in Kansas. W. A. Ela was the first secretary. The colony, 
when it left Massachusetts, consisted of upward of seventy souls It 
arrived at Kansas City, April 14, 1855. There they purchased teams 
and supplies, and arrived at Hampden, April 26, 1855. 

N. J. Thompson was, unwittingly, the first settler in Cowley County, 
having built a cabin near what he supposed the south line of Butler' 
in August, 1868. The survey showed him to be in Cowley County,' 
which was as yet Indian land, and all whites were intruders. In 1869 
T. B. Ross and sons, James Renfro and sons, John and Joseph Stans- 
bury, B. F. Murphy, T. A. Blanchard, S. B. Williams and F. W. 
Schwantes took claims on the bottoms of the Walnut, a few miles above 
Winfield. In June, 1869, C. M. Wood penetrated as far as the west 
bank of the Walnut, nearly opposite the present city, and began sell- 
ing goods to the Indians and settlers. The Indian greed for finery 
and provisions, and the knowledge that the tenure of the whites was 
insecure, soon led to a system of pilfering and intimidation that caused 
W ood to leave his stockade store and retreat to the Renfro cabin up 
the stream. In August all settlers were warned to leave the county 
and all but Judge T. B. Ross did so. In June, 1869, P. Y. Becker 
located south of Winfield, and E. C. Manning on the town site. Al- 
though the Osages had threatened the settlers and driven them out, 
they did little more than burn Wood's stockade, and in September the 
settlers began to drift back, bringing fi-esh accessions with them. 
In January, 1870, a party of fifteen men took claims along the Grouse. 
In the same month the members of the Walnut City Town Company 
(organized in Emporia to lay out and push the town which should be 
the future center of the county) reached Winfield. Their purpose was 
to locate at the junction of the Arkansas and Walnut. This was, of 
course, found near the present site of Arkansas City, and the settlers, 
giving up their Winfield claims, settled below, and started their town.' 
All this time the settlers who were on Indian land had paid head- 
money to Chetopa, the Osage chief. On July 15, 1870, the Osage 
lands were opened for settlement, and bona fule claims were at once 
entered. 



r 



^1^ — ^ ^ — ^^l^ 

30 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



White men began to locate on the "Cherokee neutral" lands, in 
Crawford County, about 1850, Harden Matthews settling in Sherman 
Township in that year. Quite a number of white men entered the 
county in 1852, and in 1857 some settlements were made in Walnut 
Township, and in 1861 W. Banks settled in Crawford Township on 
Big Cow Creek. John Lemans, a blacksmith, settled in Osage Town- 
ship in 1848. Pleasant M. Smith settled in Baker Township in 1851. 
Neither remained. In 1856 Mr. Sears made the first permanent set- 
tlement in this township, near the mission crossing on Cow Creek. 
Quite a number of settlers had commenced to make houses here, when, 
in 1859, Cherokee Indian Agent Cowan drove them from their homes, 
lighting their pathway by tires made of their burning haystacks, 
houses and barns. In 1865 other settlers came into this part of the 
county, among them Marion Medlin, John Hobson, Frank Dosser and 
S. S. Georgia; Hobson selecting for his home the spot formerly occu- 
pied by Mr. Sears. In 1866 S. J. Langdon and A. J. Georgia came 
in. J. F. Gates, Stephen Ogden, W. J. McWirt, Capt. John Hamil- 
ton and others, settled in Sheridan Township in 1865. Lincoln Town- 
ship was settled in 1852 by the Hathaways and others, and Walnut 
Township in 1857. 

In 1852 Fort Riley was located. In 1854 settlers began to locate 
in Davis County. Thomas Reynolds was the first, near Ogden, in June, 
1854. At that time there were not over twenty voters in all the terri- 
tory now embraced in Davis County. The Pawnee Tosvn Association 
was organized in November, 1854, and the town of Pawnee was located. 
The Association issued certificates of shares, which bore date Novem- 
ber 26, 1854, signed by W. P. Montgomery, as president, and William 
A. Hammond, as secretary. Parties at that time connected with the 
army took quite a conspicuous part in the management of the affairs 
of the county (at that time there was no county organization), and thus 
are found the names of Gen. Lyon, Col. Montgomery, Maj. Ogden, and 
others frequently mentioned in connection with transactions that go to 
make up the history of the county. The first election, held in what 
is now Davis County, was on November 29, 1854, at the house 
of Thomas Reynolds, near Ogden, for a member of Congress for the 
Ninth district. The Free- State candidate was R. P. Flenniken; the 
pro slavery candidate, J. W. Whitfield. Forty votes were cast. The 
first commissioners of the county were Robert Reynolds, C. L. Sand- 
ford and N. B. Whife, and the first meeting held by the board was 
at Riley City, on March 16, 1857. The commissioners present 

"* » ^ 






HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



31 



"JiiL 



at this meeting were Eobert Reynolds and C. L. Sandford. G. F. 
Gordon was appointed clerk p)-o teni., but E. L. Pattee was the first 
regularly appointed clerk. H. N. Williams was appointed sheriff, and 
was the first man in the county who held that office. 

The early settlers of Dickinson County were as follows: In Centre 
Township — Lenon family in 1855, but who left in 1858. The next 
were John Nash, William Lamb, A. Packard and W. H. Lamb, in 

1858. Grant Township: T. F. Her.sey, in 1856; James Bell and E. 
W. Bradfield, in 1858. Liberty Township: C. W. Staatz, 1857; J. F. 
Staatz, C. F. Staatz and "William Brusson, 1858. Noble Township: 
G W. Freeman, John Erwin and the Pritchard brothers, 1858. 
Union Township: The Kandt family, the Koepkes and A. S. Blanchett, 

1859. Eidge and Hope Townships: Settled by the Michigan colony in 
1872, among its members being N. Thurstin, D. Cartier, A. Henque- 
net, M. Chase and others, about forty in all. Buckeye Township: M. 
P. Jolly and J. T. Stevenson, 1869, followed by the Buckeye colony 
in 1870, numbering about 200 souls. Cheever Township: First per- 
manent settler was M. H. Price, 1865. Several attempts at settle- 
ment had been made prior to this time, one as early as 1859 by a fam- 
ily named Hevington, from North Carolina, and by a family named 
Williams, in 1860. The Hevingtons took their departure in 1860, and 
the Williamses followed in 1860. The next attempt was made by two 
brothers named Murphy, in the spring of 1861. They left in the fall. 
The nest settler was Mr. Price, in 1865, followed by Robert Kimball 
and family in 1866. Mr. Kimball lost his wife by cholera in 1867, 
after which he left the county, leaving Mr. Price the sole settler in the 
township until 1869, when William Warnock and family settled on 
the claim abandoned by Kimball, and George Shry on the claim aban- 
doned in 1861 by Murphy. Mr. Warnock was drowned that same 
year in Chapman Creek, after which his family moved out of the 
township, and Mr. Shry, becoming discouraged, moved back to the 
State he came from, and thus again were Mr. Price and family left 
the sole inhabitants of the township. In 1870 came Eli George, Kev. J. 
Lattimer and E. W. Dow, and these were followed in 1871 by a col- 
ony from Illinois, known as the "Prohibition Colony," organized by 
Rev. W. B. Christopher, and numbering about fifty souls. Flora 
Township: T. C. Iliff and Harrison Flora, 1870. Jefferson Township: 
M. Rubin and C. Hoffman, 1860. Banner Township: H. H. Nottorf, 
1860. Newbern Township: A. J. Markley and J. W. Shepard, 1859. 
Sherman Township: Daniel Jones, 1864, followed soon after by Kerby, 



®Tv 



^ 



k. 



32 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Clemeos, Smutz, Shields, Dever brothers, Bayless and others. Logaa 
Township: J. G. Miller, William Hilcher, John Erick, D. J. Kim- 
merlj' and C. W. Abbey. Willowdale Township: W. G. Lewis, 1869, 
followed in 1869 by G. "W. Garten and William Campbell. Hayes 
Township: L. K. Warnock, G. B. Smith and the Thisslers. Garfield 
Township: K. G. Fleming, A. E. Cormach and J. H. Carkhuff. 1870. 
Wheatland Township: Henry Baker and Orlando Bonner, 1870. Lin- 
coln Township: H. Whitley and William Frost, in 1857. 

The first claims within the limits of Decatur County were taken 
by Col. J. A. Hopkins, in December, 1872, and by D. Coburn, S. M. 
Porter, John Griffith and Henry M. Play ford, in January, 1873. Col. 
Hopkins came in September, 1872. Mrs. H. P. Gaady was the first 
white woman that settled and lived in the county. 

The earliest settlement in Doniphan County was the Iowa and Sac 
Mission, under the auspices of the American Board of Foreign Missions 
of the Presbyterian Church, in charge of Rev. S. M. Irvin, who came 
to Kansas in 1837, and was the first white man to take up permanent 
residence in the then unorganized county. His wife accompanied him. 
Six months after the arrival of Mr. Irvin, Rev. William Hamilton Ciime 
to the mission. The following were members of the noted Squatter 
Sovereign Association which located here: J. R. Whitehead, A. M. 
Mitchell, H. Small wood, J. B. O' Toole, J. W. Smith, Sr., Samuel 
Montgomery, B. Harding, J. W. Smith, Jr., J. J. Keaton, T. W. 
Waterson, C. B. Whitehead, Anderson Cox and Joseph SicilifF. 

Previous to May, 1854, Douglas County was not open to settlement 
by white people, being held by the Shawnee Indians as a part of their 
reservation. As soon as the land was thrown open for settlement, 
squatters came in from Missouri and from the Western and North- 
western States to secure claims. Gen. Fremont had passed through 
the county, and later large numbers of California emigrants. Among 
the settlers who came into the county and settled along and in the 
vicinity of this road in the spring and early summer of 1854, were: 
J. W. Lunkins, of South Carolina, A. R. Hopper, Clark Stearns 
and William H. R. Lykins, A. B. and N. E. Wade, J. A. Wake- 
field, Calvin and Martin Adams, J. J. Eberhart, Brice W. Miller, 
J. H. Harrison, H. S. and Paul C. Eberhart, S. N. Wood. Mr. 
Eolfe, L. A. Lagerquest, James F. Legate, William Lyon and Josiah 
Hutchinson. On the Wakarusa, south of the road, Joel K. Goodwin 
settled in May, and William Breyman, July 18. T. W. and R. F. 
Barber settled near the site of Bloomington in 1855, and Oliver Barber 







-^ 



at the ^.me place June 1, L85T. During the same month John A. 
Bean, N. Alquine and M. Albin settled a little farther west, where 
now IS the village of Clinton, and a store was opened by the latter. 
As early as May, Napoleon N. Blanton was at Blanton's Bridge, which 
crossed the Wakarusa four miles directly south of Lawrence^ and G 
A\ . Zmn, A. W. and A. G. Glenn, M. S. Winter and William Shirley 
were among the settlers of 1854 on the site of Lecompton. On the 
present site of Vinland, Jacob Branson, Charles W. Do^vs Franklin N 
Coleman, George Cutler, F. B. Varnum. William White, Josiah 
Hargus and Harnson W. Buckley took claims during the year, and a 
httle farther south, at Baldwin Cty, were Robert and Richard Pier- 
son Jacob Cantrel and L. F. Green. Douglas, two miles southeast 
of Lecompton, was laid out on the claim of Paris Ellison, G W 
Clarke and others being associated with him as town proprietor;' and 
late m the year, William Harper and John Chamberlain settled at 
Big Springs. 

W. C^ and R. E. Edwards were among the very earliest set- 
tlers m Edwards County. They built the first brick building occu- 
pied as a court-house for many years. After them this county is 
said to have been named. In April, 1873, settlers came from Maine 
-N^ L. Humphrey, Beza Blanchard, F. C. Blanchard, his son W 
F. Blanchard, a son-in-law and two or three daughters. E k' 
Smart started a lumber-yard at Kinsley, in 1873; T. L. Rocrers opened 
a general store; N. C. Boles was the first postmaster 

18 .r' ^r^ ''"'"■ '"^ ^"' ^°"°*^ ^^' ^'"^^'■'^ Graves, who came in 
1856, and was twice driven out by the Indians. The land at this time 
belonged to the Osages. upon which legal settlement could not be 
made There was, however, extending along the northern part of the 
couny, s,xm.les wide, a " ceded strip." It was consequently along 
the streams included within this belt where the earliest settlement was 
made. But it was not long to be confined to this narrow limit Ad- 
venturous men, at the risk of their lives among the Indians, upon 
whose rights they were intruding, and with expectations of being 
driven oft by United States troops, determined to make an effort to 
settle here. Only a few at first made the attempt, and, in consequence 
their presence was not distasteful to the authorities or alarming to the 
Indians. Others began to come in, until in 1870 the number of "squat- 
ters had become quite considerable. Among those who were leaders 
o the vanguard, and who came to stay, were J. C. Pinney. James 
.Shipley, R. M. Humphrey, Elison Neat, H. G. Miller, J. B Roberts 



^ 



A 



^ 




and others. The first child born in the connty was Sarah F. Shipley, 
December 8, 1866. 

In 1864 or 1865 Fort Fletcher post was established in Ellis 
County, on Big Creek, about fourteen miles southeast of where Hays 
City now stands. The post was utterly destroyed by a flood in the 
spring of 1867. Immediately thereafter Fort Hays was established on 
its present site by Gen. Pope. Up to that time the county was with- 
out settlement, but the location of Fort Hays, and the near approach 
of the Kansas Pacific Railway, attracted a good many settlers to that 
locality, and then followed the founding of Hays City. Some early 
futile attempts to cultivate the prairie in the vicinity of Hays City 
were made. In 1871 Thomas Arrowsmith, J. H. Edwards, and Louis 
Watson tried farming near Ellis, but met with poor success. In 
1872 ten or twelve homestead and preemption claims were all that 
had been settled iipon in the county. In that year a small colony 
from Ohio located at what is now known as Walker Station. Follow- 
ing this colony, two others, very limited in number, arrived the next 
year, one from New York, in and about Ellis, and one from Pennsyl- 
vania, at Hays City. That year George Grant arrived from England, 
and purchased of the railway company 50,000 acres of land m the 
county, for the purpose of colonizing it with English agriculturists. 
During the next two or three years two or three hundred Englishmen, 
many of them with families, located on the Grant purchase. A town 
was started on the line of railway, a few miles west of Walker, which 
was named Victoria. A stone depot, a handsome stone church, an 
elevator, and a store were introduced. In a short time the place had 
about twenty five houses and 150 people. Experience, however, soon 
taught the colonists that Ellis County was not an agricultural country, 
and meeting with nothing but failure and disappointment in their ef- 
forts at farming, they became discouraged, and began to return to 
England, and now, of all those that came, but very few remain. 
In 1879 the originator of the scheme, George Grant, died. The 
colony has ceased to exist. There is a large Russian colony in 
this county. The first couple married in Ellis County was Peter 
Tondell and Elizabeth Duncan, in 1868, and the first child born was 
John Bpuer, January 29, 1868. 

Ellsworth County was organized in 1867, but, antedating this by 
ten. years, attempts were made at settlement. P. M. Thompson, 
known by the early settlers as " Smoky Hill Thompson," Joseph Leh- 
man, D. H. Page, Adam Weadle, and D. Cushman, were the first who 



•^ s ^" 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 35 



made permaneut settlement. The next was made by Heary and Irwin 
Fairis, S. D. Walker, C L. and J. J. Prather. This party came in 
1860, and located on Clear Creek. H. Wait and H. P. Spur^eon 
came late in 1860. Up to August, 1861, there was not a white woman 
in the county, but in that month a man named T. D. Bennett moved 
from Dickinson County with his wife. A man named Lewis came, 
with his family, in the fall of 1862. Indian troubles drove all the 
settlers away. Settlement was not revived until 1865, when Harry 
Anderson came. The next year came Rev. Levi Sternberg and family, 
and others. 

Gov. Thomas A. Osborn, in his proclamation providing for the 
organization of Ford County, April 5, 1873, appointed Charles Path, 
J. G. McDonald and Daniel Wolf special county commissioners, and 
Herman J. Fringer special county clerk. This body met at Dodge 
City, and made choice of Charles Rath as chairman of the board. 
James Hanrahan was appointed commissioner in place of Mr. Wolf, 
who was not in the county. An election for county officers was or- 
dered June 5, 1873, and at that election the following named persons 
were elected, the tirst body of officers for Ford County: Charles Rath, 
A. C. Myers and F. C. Zimmerman, county commissioners; Herman 
J. Fringer, county clerk and clerk of the district court; A. J. Anthony, 
county treasurer; Charles E. Bassett, sheriff; T. L. McCarty, coro- 
ner; H. Armitage, register of deeds; George B. Cox, probate judge; 
M. V. Cutter, county attorney. M. Collar was trustee of Dodge 
Township; P. T. Bowen and Thomas C. Nixon, justices of the peace. 
A C. Myers was selected chairman of this board; M. V. Cutter 
resigned the position of county attorney, and was appointed commis- 
sioner, vice Rath, resigned July 24, 1873; M. V. Cutter was appointed 
chairman vice Myers. The county was divided into two miiuicipal 
townships, Dodge and Ford. 

Owing to the fact that most of the land in Franklin County was 
occupied by a number of different tribes of Indians, the titles to 
whose reservations were not extinguished until 1862, 1864 and 1867, 
the settlement of the county was not so early as that of adjoining 
counties. Along the northern edge, however, on what was known as 
the " Shawnee purchase," a strip of land about three miles wide, the 
Shawnee title to which was extinguished by the treaty of May 10, 
1854, a number of settlements were made in that year. 

The first settler in the county was Reuben Hackett, near the 
west line of Hayes Township, on June 7, 1854. Amos Hanna moved 



^ 



^J^ 



36 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



in about the same time. Quite a number of others came during the 
same year, among them, Rev. William Moore and four or live sons, 
who settled about a inile east of the present location of Norwood. 

The first settlement in Graham County was made May 18, 1872, 
by W. E. Ridgely, on the northeast section of the county, his nearest 
neighbor being at Logan, Kas., eight miles distant. From that date 
until the census was taken in November, 1876, there were but seven- 
ty-five inhabitants in the county. 

The iirst settlement in Greenwood County was made in the spring 
of 1856, by colonists from Mississippi, who came with the avowed in- 
tention of helping to make Kansas an ally of the Southern slave-hold- 
ing States. These pro-slavery people drifted away to more congenial 
soil on the breaking out of the war. A few anti-slavery men were 
sprinkled about the county in the fall of 1856, but real settlement did 
not take place in any considerable numbers until the spring of 1859, 
which saw a party of new comers in Lane and Madison Townships, 
among whom were D. Vining, Austin and Fred Norton, Anderson 
Hill, Wesley Pearsons, Mark Patty, Myrock Huntley, E. E. Holder- 
man, William Martindale, E. G. Duke, James and W. F. Osborn, 
Isaac Sharp and David Smyth. In July of this year came Josiah 
Kinnaman, Archibald Johnston, Peter Ricker, Adam Glaze, John 
Baker, W^ayne Sumner and William Kinnaman. 

The earliest settlement in Harper County was by M. Devore, H. 
E. Jesseph, John Lamar and William Thomas, near the east line of 
the county in 1876. No further settlement was attempted until the 
arrival of the party who laid out and built Harper City. The first 
wedding in the county took place at Harper, on September 22, 1878, 
and vinited Dr. J. W' . Madra and Miss Mary Glenn. 

H. Nieman, who took up a claim in Richland Township in June, 
1869, was the first settler in Harvey County. Other early settlers 
were Kimball, Howard, George F. Perry, William Cleveland, M. 
Alexander, Seth Goodley, Lawrence, Wilcox, A. G. Richardson, C. S. 
Fink, R. W. Denny, Joel and Jesse Parker. H. W. Bailey, B. P. 
Parks, S. Saylor, T. Ezra, R. Smith, Edward Doty, Thomas Winn, 
C. E. Berry, E. Marks, O. B. Hildreth, William Geary, I. Stockwell, 
O. B. Gingress, James Allen, Palmer and Daniel Heath, F. P. and 
A. E. Munch, A. W. Baker, Mile Davids, Joshua Perkins, John 
Hengst, C. W. Patterson, J. V. Sharp, H. Beery, F. Livingston, J. 
S. and F. W. H. Hackney, J. C, W. E. and J. M. Johnston, R. T. 
Elwood, J. L. Caveny, W. Davis, James McMurray, James Patterson, 



-^^ 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 37 



John Gorgas, Jolin W. Blades, Willium aad Charles Bean, E. C. Man- 
ner, G. Webster, Theodore Kline, John N. Corgan, G. L. Cooper, 
J. Schoonover, A. Olson, Allen Miller, L. D. and A. Brewer, John 
Harlan, J. and P. Ray, L. B. Owen, D. E. Sheldon, H. D. and C. 
Kettle, D. Denny, S. Chamberlain and S. A. Powell. 

Settlement in Hodgeman Count}' was begun in the spring of 1877. 
Amoag the early settlers in different parts of Jackson County were 
J. W. AVilliams, John Rippetoe, A. W. Bainbiidge, William Cunning- 
ham, Hugh Piper, John Piper, David R. Rice, Rufus J. Rice, Josiah 
Soule, John N. Willard, Luther M. Myers, George Coleman, Stephen 
J. Elliott, R. S. Gillies, B. H. Bradshaw, Edward McNieve, E. L. 
Stalker, W. H. Chase, George Baiubridge, Chauncey J. Cowell, 
George W. Drake, Simeon Fees, Garrett Groomer, Godfrey Hafer, 
W. K. Lutz, Jacob Morroid, Walter Palmenter, George Smith, Cyrus 
G. Waynant, John Arnold, W. G. Bainett, Thomas Fennell, B. 
Hafer, J. F. Pomeroy, A. Ash, J. H. Bateman, J. H. Thompson, 
John Hibbard, S. J. Rose, R. L. Thornton, William Cline, W. Bran- 
ham, E. Fairbanks, William Knipe, Henry Runcier, Jacob Kern, 
Roger O'Meara, P. B. Rust, J. H. Sutherlatjd, I. Travis, Andrew 
Brown, John M. Duff, Henry Haub, Michael O'Neill, George T. 
Watkins, George C. Weibles, D. R. Williams. 

The first settlement in Jefferson County, as well as in Kansas, was 
that of Daniel Morgan Boone, son of Daniel Boone, the Kentucky 
pioneer. Between the years 1805 and 1815, the elder Boone often 
spent months in hunting along the Kaw or Kansas River, for a dis- 
tance of 100 miles or more from its mouth, a portion of this time 
being spent in the southern part of the present Jefferson County. 
Returning fi'om his hunts he gave glowing accounts of the country to 
his family. 

In the spring of 1SG2, William Har.shberger and wife settled upon 
land adjoining the present town of White Rock, and John Furrows 
took a claim just west of Mr. Harshberger' s farm. They formed the 
first settlement in Jewell County, built cabins and broke ground, but 
were soon driven away by well-grounded fears of Indian raids. A 
second attempt at settlement was made in the spring of 1866. Will- 
iam Belknap took a claim five miles west of the present town of 
White Rock; John Marling, with his wife and child, settled near the 
present town of Reubens; Nicholas Ward, his wife and adopted son, 
Mrs. Sutzer and son, Al. Dart, Arch. Bump, Erastns Bartlett and a 
man by the name of Flint, tojk claims east of that town. In August 



▲ 



^1 



:i^ 



38 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



of this year a party of forty Cheyennes attacked Marliog's cabin, and 
while he was gone for assistance the savages entered his house, 
dragged his wife into the woods with a rope around her neck, and hor- 
ribly outraged her. They then stole everything they could find, set 
fire to the cabin and dashed off before Mr. Marling could obtain 
assistance. After this, the entire settlement left their homes. A few 
days afterward, learning that the rumors of a general massacre were 
groundless, they returned to their claims. They rested in fancied 
security until the following April, when occurred a bloody massacre 
which effectually destroyed the little settlement. Of the original 
members of the settlement who were not victims of this massacre 
Mr. Flint was absent at Clyde, the Darts were absent, Mr. Marling, 
wife and child had returned to Missouri, and Messrs. Bump and Davis 
had been waylaid and shot in Cloud County during the previous May. 
The survivors, including Mr. Rice, all left the county after this horri- 
ble affair. Settlempnt was resumed in 1868, and went forward with- 
out further serious interruption by Indians. 

Previous to the advent of the Shawnee Indians in 1828, but little 
was known of what is now Johnson County by white people. In 
common with the whole of the present State of Kansas, it was occu- 
pied, when occupied at all, by the Kaw Indians. As soon as a largo 
portion of the reservation was thrown open for settlement, large num- 
bers rushed in t'> secure claims. Few of the earliest settlers remained 
in the county. Among those who settled in the county during 1857 
were the following free-Staters : Thomas E. Milhoan, William Will- 
iams, Rynear Morgan, William. Holmes, Dr. Irving Jaynes, J. D. 
Allen, J. C. Forrest and L. F. Bancroft; and on the pro slavery side. 
Dr. J. B. Morgan, Col. J. T. Quarles, T. H. Ellis, A. Slaughter, 
James H.. Nounan, C. C. Catron, W. S. Gregory, Jonathan Gore, A. 
J. Turpin, Dr. Shuck and M. T. Wells. Daring the time of the occu- 
pancy of the county by the Shawnee Indians, few white men became 
residents of it, and they only in some connection with the Indians. 
The earliest were the Choteau brothers, Frenchmen, who built trading 
houses among the Shawnees and Dslawares in 1828 and 1829. Rev. 
Thomas Johnson and family came in 1829. Samuel Cornatzer came 
to the mission in 1814, Mr. Crockett, nephew of Davy Crocketl, Janu- 
ary 24, 1847; ani at difFtirent times, Perk Rindall, John Bowles, 
Isaac Parish, Samuel Garrett, John Owens, John Boyle and Calvin 
Cornatzer. 

The first actual settler in Kingman County was Martin UpdegrafF, 

>t^ 6 ^^ ^n S fy 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 39 



on the Cbikaskia. Mr. UpJegrafF made settlement in February, 1873, 
and was followed a few months later by J. K. and S. F. Fical and 
Charles Barr, and two or three others. In the spring of 1874 came 
W. H. Childs. H. L. Ball, A. D. Culver, H. S. Bush, W. P. Brown 
and W. H. Mosher. In the course of the year, several others came 
in, who located chiefly in the central portion of the county along the 
Ninnescah. That year an Indian scare occurred, and nearly all the 
settlers had fled the county. The years 1875 and 1876 were not 
remarkable for the arrival of many new settlers coming into the 
county, but the year 1877 was not a month old when Samuel David- 
son, E. S. Allen, R. T. Nolan, John Jackson, C. M. Tack, H. J. Golds- 
borough and William Green all settled in the eastern part of the 
county, followed immediately after by large numbers of others. 

As early as 1853 Dr. George Lilse, formerly a prominent physi- 
cian of Belmont, Ohio, obtained leave from A, J. Dorn. Indian agent, 
to settle in the southeast part of what is now Labette County, where 
he carried on a trading business and kept a sort of gun shop. 
Prior to this, however, James Childers had established a trading post 
near the same place. Besides those named, this settlement numbered 
several others, among whom were G. Hanson, William Doudna, George 
Walker, Larkin McGee, McMurphy, the Rogers and Blythe families, 
etc. In the early part of 1858 Rev. J. P. Barnaby, of the Southern 
Methodist Church, established a circuit including this settlement and 
embracing about 150 miles around. In October of that year Rev. J. 
E. Ryan succeeded to the circuit. These parties, with a number of 
half-breeds and Cherokee Indians along the Neosho, made up the bulk 
of the settlement, up to the beginning of the Rebellion. At an early 
stage of the war Mathews allied himself to the cause of the Confed- 
eracy, organized a body of Confederate troops, some of whom killed 
Union men and brutally treated the inhabitants; burned the town of 
Humboldt, leaving only the Masonic lodge standing. Several futile 
attempts were made to capture the l)and, which was finally pursued by 
United States troops under Col. Blunt, overtaken near Chetopa. and 
Mathews shot and killed, and his houses at Oswego burned. These 
acts of disorder and invasion almost annihilated the settlement. From 
18G0 to 1805 there were only two white men living within the limits 
of the county. These were S. M. Collins and A. T. Dickerman, near 
Erie, and who, in July, 1805, by permit of White Hair, chief of the 
Osages, removed four miles south of the present site of Oswego. 
During the fall of 1865 the return of refugee settlers began. Settlers 

^ "a _ A> 



^1 



.k 



40 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



came along the Neosho valley, extending to the line of the Indian 
Territory, J. C. Rexford, A. P. Elsbee, C. C. Clover, D. M. Clover, Ber- 
gen Van Ness, C. E. Simmons, B. F. Simmons, John Modesitt, Norris 
Harrar, Cal. Watkins, William White and sons, Grant Reaves and 
others being of the number. The new8 of the treaty of September 25, 
1865, being made with the Osage Indians, and the prospect of the land 
being soon opened to settlement, was the main stimulus in bringing in 
settlers, who soon flocked in by the hundreds. It was in this county that 
the celebrated Benders plied their murderous trade. The first land 
claimed in Kansas by citizens of the United States, after the passage 
of the Kansas Nebraska ast, was at Leavenworth. June 12, 1854, Gen. 
George W. Gist, Samuel Farnandis, and John C Gist, staked off and 
marked the claims. It had been the opinion of many would-be set- 
tlers that the city Was destined to be located at Fort Leavenworth. 
But the Government had no intention of abandoning it as a military 
post, aad accordingly, the nest day after Gen. Gist and his friends 
had staked their claims, a meeting was called at Weston fur the for- 
mation of a town association. The various squatters in Leavenworth 
and vicinity, who had taken claims near the coming city of Fort 
Leavenworth, held a meeting at Riveley's store, in Salt Creek Valley, 
June 10, 1854, the first squatter meetiug ever held in the Territory, 
and it was resolved to relinquish all rights and titles to the future 
town association; hence, when it was formed on June 13, everything 
appeared harmonious. The original proprietors were mostly citizens 
of Missouri, residing at this time at or near Weston. Gen. Gist was 
elected president; H. Miles Moore, secretary; Joseph B. Evans, treas- 
urer; Amos Rees, L. D. Bird and Mij. E. A. Ogden, trustees; com- 
mittee on by-laws: L. D. Bird, O. Diefendorf and H. Miles Moore. 
Subsequent to the first meeting, James W. Hardesty and W. S. Yohe 
were admitted as original members of the association. Including the 
two last named gentlemen there were thiity-two original proprietors, 
classified as follows: Ministers, three; lawyers, four; doctors, five; 
printers, two; merchants, four; surveyor.-^, one; army officers, two 
army clerks, one; farmers, eight. 

The settlement of Lincoln County was begun in 1865 by George 
Green, E. E. Johnson, R. B. Clark, D. C. Skinner, J. M. Adams, 
Isaac De Graft' and W. E. Thompson. In the spring of 18(36 Wash- 
ington Smith, W. T. Wild, John Dart and two young men named 
Peate and Gaskill became permanent residents of Lincoln. October 
4, 1866, M. D. Greea, Martin and William Hendrickson, Volany 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 41 



Ball, John S. Straage, D.ivid Gr. Bacon, M. Zeigler, Thomas Noon, J. 

C. Parks and families settled throughout the county. For several 
years buffalo hunting was the chief pursuit. This county was the 
scene of some Indian outrages. 

With the exception of M. Dutisne, Girard and Chouteau were proba- 
bly the tirst white men in what is now Linn County. The first to set- 
tle in the county, with the view to making improvements, were James 
Osborne and Adam Pore, in January, 1854, at the head of Little 
Sugar Creek, about two miles from the present site of Mound City. 

D. W. Cannon, John Brown and William H. Murray, all pro- slavery, 
and William Park, James Osborne and James Montgomery, free- 
State, came in the same year; the latter in August, buying the claim 
on which he lived the rest of his life, for $11, paying $5 down, and 
promising to pay the additional ?6 some time in the future. 

By common agreement, the first settler in Lyon County (then not 
organized) was Charles H. Withington, in the extreme northern part, 
on the old Santa Fe road, June, 1854. Mr. Withington was one of 
the earliest settlers of the State, coming to Kansas in 1846, being gun- 
smith to the Sac and Fox ladians. Removing to Council Grove five 
years later, he opened a store for the Santa Fe and Indian trade. In 
1857, when the bulk of early immigration flowed to this county, and 
for years afterward, he was prominent in all important affairs locally. His 
house was a hotel, and his store the only one in Southern Kansas, except 
those of the regular Indian posts. Oliver Phillips, Chris. Ward and 
J. S. Pigman came in 1855. Other settlers were Charles Johnson, 
James H. Phenis, David Vangundy, John Rosenquist, Joseph Moon, 
Rev. Thomas J. Addis, Lorenzo Dow, R. H. Abraham, William Grims- 
ley, Thomas Shockley, Joseph Ha lley, William H. Eikenbery, Joel 
Haworth, Dr. Gregg, Mr. Carver, James Hendricks, Albei't Watkins, 
John Fowler, G. D. Humphrey, L. H. Johnson, Charles N. Link, Sol 
Pheanis, Moses Puckett, Silas Howell, D. Roth, Isaac Cos, Eli Davis, 
Curtis Hiatt, Andrew Hinshaw, W. J. Carney, Milton Chamness, N. 
Lockerman, P. W. Manning, Mr. Taylor and S. G. Brown. 

The first settlement made in Marion County was by an Irishman 
named Moses Shane, at the spot where now stands Florence, early in 
the spring of 1858. He built a log house, broke several acres of 
ground, and resided there until his death, in 1859. Patrick Doyle, 
in 1859, located near Florence, but soon afterward returned to Leaven- 
worth; in a few years he returned. In August, 1859, the first white 
child, named Welsh, was born in the county, two miles from Florence. 



>>--^ 



A 



42 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



/ 



Its pareots emigrated to Kansas from Wisconsin. The Lost Springs 
trading post was established in 1859, on the Santa Fe trail. In the 
fall, A. A. Moore established a trading post at Cottonwood Crossing, 
later "Moore's Ranch." 

The first in McPherson County, who remained long enough to be 
called a settler, was Isaac Sharp, who lived upon Sharp's Creek (after 
whom thecreek was named) during the winter of 1859-60, on what is now 
known as the Maxwell estate. He traded with the Indians, trapped 
and hunted. He came from Pennsylvania, and brought with him his 
father and mother. The latter died, and was buried upon the creek. 
Mrs. Sharp was, without doubt, the first white woman who resided in 
McPherson County. When the war of the Rebellion broke out, the 
Western Indians became troublesome, and Mr. Sharp removed to Coun- 
cil Grove. Shortly after Mr. Sharp cams to the county, a man named 
Lewis settled upon the Smoky, below Marquette, on the farm now 
owned by Solomon Stephens. He was also a trapper and a trader, 
but made some improvements upon his claim, and a strip of land 
plowed by him can yet be distinguished, although nearly gone back 
to the native sod. A man named Peters also came to Sharp' s Creek, 
shortly after Mr. Sharp. He died, and was buried upon the creek. 
From the time of the removal of Mr. Sharp from the county, until 
the settlement in 1860, there were only occasional visits of traders and 
trappers. 

One of the first white men to settle in Miami County was David 
Lykins, in 1844, as missionary to the confederated tribes of Indians. 
Other missionaries and teachers came to these tribes and to the Miamis, 
from time to time, and also traders, all of whom came to aid or live 
among the Indians. In 1854 bona fide settlers began to arrive, with 
the object of making homes for themselves, and developing the re- 
sources of the country. Among these, in various parts of the county, 
were S. H. Houser, Daniel Goodrich, C. A. Foster, John Childers, 
Harmon Dace, C H. Crane, John Serpell, William Chestnut, S. T . 
Adair, R. W. Wood, O. C. Brown, Knowles, Isaac, Cyrus and Will- 
iam Shaw, T. J. Hedges, D. L. Peery, W. A. Heiskell, David Anden-ou 
and William Blair. 

In the fall of 1867 a few settlers moved into Mitchell County, and 
in the spring of 1868 several log houses were built along the river, 
from the east line to Solomon Rapids. The first actual white settler 
was Joseph Decker, early in 1866, north of the village of Glen Elder. 
Mr. Decker filed on this quarter-section of laud at the Junction City 



*7U 



r 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 43 



land office, and came on with quite a large herd of cattle and built a 
dug-out and broke a little spot for garden. Before fall the Indians 
drove off his cattle, and he abandoned the country. Among the 
earliest permanent settlers were Hon. John Reese, Thomas Howie, 
William Joiner, Matthias Nelson, David Bogardns, B. Bell, AVhit Mc- 
Connell, Tunis Bulis, James Farow, James Duff, H. A. Bell, John White- 
hurst and his sons, Vinton and Abraham, and John Smith. Early in the 
spring of 1868 nearly all of these settlers were making primitive im- 
provements, from the east line of the county west as far as Solomon 
Rapids. 

The first settler in Montgomery County was G. L. Canada, in 
1806, at Claymore; the second was Daniel Wilson, in the northeast 
part of the county in 1866. Those who settled in 1867 were Zach- 
ariah Crow, Terwilliger and William Rutherford. Among those who 
came during the next year were John Russell, J. B. Rowley, Patrick 
Dugan, William Reed, William Roberts, Christian Greenongh, John 
Hanks, H. W. Coniad, Alexander Duncan, J. A. Twlss, Col. Coffey, 
O. F. Johns, J. Roberts, T. C, J. H. and A. Graham, P. R. Jordon, 
G. W. and W. L. Mays, H. A. Bethuran, J. H. Conrad, Moses Roller. 
R. Stallcup, M. McGowen, R. M. Bennett, John Campbell, Jacob 
Thompson, Thomas Brock, J. Kappell, Levi Mann, Philip Waldron, 
N. P. ^Morgan, A. P. Patter, W. Sherill, J. Simmons, Rachel Greeno, J. 
Weddell, Mortimer Goodell, E. Goodell, D. R. B. Flora, R. W. Dunlap, 
John Melntyre, Mrs. E. C. Powell, Thomas C. Evans, Lewis Choteau. 
Brewer, Pierce, George Spece, Dr. Koutz and James Parkinson. No 
improvement of importance had yet been made, so that up to 186'J 
there were but few and scattered evidences of anything except Indian 
occupancy. 

Morris is another of the counties which was opened to settlement 
by the great Santa Fe trail. Settlement began at Council Grove. J. 
C. Munkers, in Munkers' Creek, was the first settler elsewhere in the 
county. 

In January, 1854 W. W. Moore came from St. Joseph and located 
in Nemaha County, in the jiroximity of Baker's Ford, on the Nemaha, 
some nine miles from Seneca. This point was afterward known as Ur- 
bana. It was near the center of immediately subsequent settlements. In 
February of the same year, Walter D. Beeles settled north of Moore's 
place, and in March, Greenberry Key, Thomas, John C. and Jacob B. 
Newton locating upon the Nemaha, somewhat to the south, in April. 
John O'Laughlin took a valuable claim on Turkey Creek. On July 



\^ s r- ^"i & \ 



44 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



4 a meeting of the settlers was held at Urbana, to arrange for their 
mutual protection in their claims. John Castle was chairman, and 
George T. Bobst, secretary. At the time of this meeting, no settle- 
ment, except in the vicinity of the Nemaha, had been efPected west of 
the Wolf River and Harding's station; the early settlement of 
Nemaha County, preceding the formal ceding of the Northern Kan- 
sas lands by the Indians, being due to the understanding that a twenty- 
mile strip along the valley of the Nemaha, and extending southward 
some ways, was " neutral land," to which the Indians had no claim. 

The treaty by which the Osages relinquished the "ceded lands"' 
to the United States was concluded September 29, 1865, and proclaimed 
January 21, 1867. Before the former date, in some of the townships 
of Neosho County, as now organized, quite a number of settlers had 
taken claims, in anticipation of the removal of the Indians. So far as 
ascertainable, the following-named persons were the first, or among the 
first: Dr. W. W. Hill (who came in 1851, and was killed in his own 
door-yard by a mob, November 1, 1806), Levi Hadden, Simeon ^V. and 
James A. Hadden, Solomon Markham and his four sons, J. L. Fletcher, 
S. Barbee, H. Schooley, Thomas Hadden, Darius Rodgers, Benjamin 
M. Smith, Thomas Jackson, S. E. Beach, T. R. Peters, M. Kittermau, 
William Box, David Lowery, J. C. Comstock, E. J. Pierce, W. I. 
Brewer, Reuben Lake, Joseph Cummings, Henry and John Wikle, 
John Blair, George T. Shepherd, A. A. Ashlock, M. J. Salter, John 
Post, I. N. Roach, W. C. Dickerson, S. Rosa, M. L. and Frank Mc- 
Cashu, Dr. Dement, M. A. Patterson, J. L. Evans, I. M. Allen, John 
Johnson, D. T. Mitchell, P. Walters, R. Leppo, E. F. Williams, P. 
McCarthy, John C. Weibley, Capt. John Berry, J. A. Wells, A. H. 
Childs, James Hoagland, A. H. Roe, J. Naff and D. W. Bray. 

Ness County did not settle very rapidly at first, but its few early 
residents were ambitious and enterprising, and very anxious to secure 
a county oro-anization. In 1873, on the claim that the county had, by 
the assessor's returns, 600 inhabitants, a petition for an organization 
was sent to the governor. The county was organized October 23, 
1873, O. H. Perry, Thomas Myers and John Rogers being appointed 
special county commissioners, and Charles McGuire special county 
clerk. It was disorganized in 1874, and reorganized in 1880. 

The iirst actual settler in Norton County was Shelby D. Pieed, 
in Centre Township, in April, 1872. In the fall of the samo 
year Thomas Beaumont, Henry Gordon and Peter Hanson settled in 
the southern section of the county, near the Solomon Rivor. Hanson 



^\<? w 



D > 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



45 



opened the first farm in the spring of 1872, several months before he 
became an actual settler. The first families to make permanent set- 
tlement were James Hall's and Daniel C. Coleman's, on the Prairie Dog, 
twelve miles east of Norton; they came in 1872. During the same 
season Joel Simmons, W. E. Case, Charles and John Beiber, G. N. 
Kingsbury, Henry Oliver, Solomon Marsh, Charles Hilsinger and Joel 
Mott settled in the county. Soon after came Col. N. H. Billings, who 
became the first representative in the Legislature. 

When Kansas was formed as a Territory, May 30, 1854, the only 
white settlers within the present limits of Osage County were two men 
living on One Hundred and Ten Creek, at the crossing of the Santa 
Fe Trail, and who had married Shawnees. Besides these, there were 
a few at the Sac and Fox agency. The first settler after May 30, 1854, 
was John Frelo, who came with his family soon after that date, and 
stopped at the poiiit on the Santa Fe trail where Burlingame now is. 
The only person living anywhere in the neighborhood was a Shawnee 
Indian, who had a cabin by a spring, in what is now the northern part 
of the above-named town. Frele bought this claim, and moved into 
the cabin. The next winter a son was born to Mrs. Frele. This was 
the first white child born in the county. 

Osborne County's earliest settler lived near Twelve-mile Creek and, 
was drowned in the winter of 1820. Zara M. Hill made the first entry 
of land on the north fork of the river, between Downs and Bethany. 
The first settlement in Ottawa County was made in May, 1855, by 
William Still, George Darling and a Frenchman named La Pierre, 
near the mouth of Coal Creek, but the Sioux troubles drove them away. 
The first permanent settlers came in 1859. They were S. M. Wright, 
E. W. Branch, Jacob Hamburger, H. R. Little and Josiah Hockei'. 
The first white women in the county were Mrs. S. M. Wright and Mrs. 
E. W. Branch, who located with their husbands in 1859. 

Early events in the history of Pawnee County are thus recounted: 
In 1872 George B. Cox settled in Earned To.wnship; a colony from 
Geneva, Ohio, settled in Garfield Township in May, 1873; Adams 
Peabody in Pleasant Valley Township, in 1873; Gallatin Brown in 
Brown's Grove Township, in 1875. Colegrove & Russell established 
a general store at Earned in June, 1872; E. W. Grover, at Garfield, 
in 1873; George B. Cox, at Earned, in 1872. In 1862 a post-office 
was established at the military post at Fort Earned. 

The first settlement in Phillips County was made in 1869 by C. J. 
Van Allen, who pre-empted a farm east of Kirwin. He built the first 



_S) ^ 




log bouse in the county, and his father in-law, Samuel Bales, the first 
frame house. Previous to this time, however, the Gavernment sent 
Col. Kirwin (for whom the principal town in the county was named), 
who erected a stockade fort, just after the close of the war, to prevent 
the encroachments of Indians, and for protection of overland California 
emigrants. This stockade was abandoned by the Government with the 
advent of the early settlers. In 1870 the Indians became troublesome 
and the settlers built a stockade, in the east part of what is now Kir- 
win, for safety in case of an attack. The stockade was constructed 
of logs ten feet long, placed endwise in the ground. 

William Martell, Antoine Tasier, Bazile Greemore, Francis Ber- 
gen, Robert Wilson, A. Higben, Joseph Truckee, O. H. P. Polk, Bap 
V tise Ogee, Mrs. B. H. Bertrand, Mrs. Joseph Bertrand, Mrs. Amable 
Bertrand, and Zoa Durcharm, were the earliest settlers of Pottawa- 
tom ie County. They were here years before the passage of the Kan- 
sas-Nebraska bill. Eobert Wilson took the first claim in 1853, on the 
land where now stands Louisville, and erected the first house in the 
county outside the Pottawatomie reserve. It was used as a hotel for 
many years. Judge Huggins and Dr. Sabin erected the first flouring- 
mill in 1856. 

The settlement of Pratt County is recent. The first actual settler 
was A. J. Johnson, who located in the vicinity of Springvale, in the 
fall of 1873, the first man in the county to break sod and raise a crop. 
J. W. Black and A. Kelly also located in the southwest corner of 
the county. I. M. Powell was next, in September, 1875. The first 
male child in the county was born to Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Black, in 
September, 1875, and was named Pratt. The first female child in 
the county was horn to Mr. and Mrs. I. M. Powell, in 1875. 

August C. Blume, August Deitleff, Albert E. Lange, Charles Nast 
and Antone Stermer, five Germans, made the first settlement in Raw- 
lins County in April, 1875. When they came they saw a roving baud 
of Cheyenne Indians. Three of these men remained in the county, 
the others returned East. 

The first settlement in Reno County was made by Lewis M. 
Thomas, November, 1870; the second settler was J. H. D. Rosan; 
the third was John Hunt. In March, 1871, Rosan, his brother (C. 
W. Rosan) and Charles Street drove in a large herd of Texas cattle. 
Other settlers came in rapidly afterward. 

For a long time the Republican River was the boundary line be- 
tween the white and Indian territory, consequently the early settle- 



.u 



HISTOllY OF KANSAS. 47 



ments of Republic County were the scene of Indian outrages. Daniel 
and Conrad Myers, the oldest settlers in the county, located February 
28, 18(31. During the most trying period of the early settlement, 
Conrad never left his claim, but Daniel sought a more safe retreat, and 
returned after danger had passed. During the war the Indians were 
very savage, and made many raids upon the settlers. They all proved 
futile; the frontier did not recede, but steadily advanced, until the 
Republican River became the boundary line. At this time the nearest 
settlement was in Cloud County, at Lake Sibley, which, however, was 
soon deserted on account of the hostile Indians. The nearest post- 
o£Sce was Manhattan, eighty miles away. 

Rice County was settled in 1870, by John A. Carlson, Andrew John- 
son, C. S. Lindell, August Johnson, John E. Johnson, John P. John- 
son, O. W. Peterson, R. M. Hutchinson, A. J. Howard, J. E. Perdue 
and others. In the latter part of 1853 a Tennesseean, by the name of 
Samuel D. Dyer, was running a Government ferry at Juniata, about 
one mile below Rocky Ford, ou the Big Blue, in Riley County. Soon 
after, the Government built a bridge at this point, but in 1855 it was 
swept away by a flood. Mr. Dyer, the first white inhabitant of Riley 
County, died in February, 1875. His house has been described as 
"one story high and two stories long." 

The first settlers in Rooks County were ten persons engaged in the 
stock business, named James, Thomas, Joseph, John and Francis Mc- 
Nulty (brothers, originally from Massachusetts), Tunis Bulas, John 
Wells, John Powell, Seal Northup and Capt. J. Ow3ns. They arrived 
in January, 1871, and all took the first claims made in the county, in 
what afterward became Stockton Township. With the exception of 
James McNiilty and Capt. Owens, all became permanent residents. 
Soon after these settlers followed John Shorthill, in Lowell Township. 
Mrs. Robert E. Martin, who came with her husband and family in the 
fall of 1871, was the first woman who settled in Rooks County. Fol- 
lowing these early settlers came Thomas Boy] an, Henry Purdy, S. C. 
Smith, M. M. Stewart, G. W. Patterson, Henry Hill, George Steele, 
John Russell, Lyman Randall, John Lawson, W. H. Barnes, George 
W. Beebe, the Dibbles, Parks and others. 

The early settlers of Rush County found buffalo in abundance, and 
derived much of their living therefrom. F. E. Garner built the first 
frame house in the county. A\'illiam Basham and P. C. Dixon came 
to Pioneer Township in the fall of 1870. Mr. Basham was the first 
white settler in the county. The first family was that of J. S. Temple- 



^^ — ^ ^ — "[^^ 

48 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



ton, who settled near the present site of Walnut City, now Rush Cen- 
ter, August 1, 1871. Samuel Alpha, son of Mr. and Mrs. Templeton, 
was the first child born in the county. James Corrall and Joseph 
Shaw Brown settled in Brookdale Township in 1871; A. Harvey 
and J. C. Young in Alexander Township, in 1872; A. Reiner in Ban- 
ner Township, in 1873; D. A. Stubbs and S. W. Taylor in La Crosse 
Township, in 1876. 

Prior to 1869, Russell County was without a settler. In July, of 
that year, A. E. Mathews settled on a claim at the eastern edge of the 
county, about three miles southwest of Wilson. About that time coal 
had been discovered in that locality, and the object of Mathews was 
more to engage in coal mining than farming. He was the first white 
person to take up a residence within the borders of Russell County. 
In November, 1870, C M. Harshburger, James Dorman, James Haight 
and Samuel Janes took claims on East Wolf Creek, and went into 
camp, and passed the winter hunting buffalo and antelope, of which 
there were plenty. These were followed in the winter of 1870-71 by 
C. M Hibbard, A. C. and Charles Birdsall, N. R. Cowan and John 
Deering, all of whom, excepting Deering, returned to their homes after 
selecting their claims. In 1869 some section hands, while at work on 
the railway, had been killed by Indians, and as roving bands of red 
men would frequently come to the county on hunting expeditions, 
Deering deemed it advisable to be prepared for all emergencies that 
might arise; and to make himself as secure as possible against any 
attack, he surrounded his shanty with a stockade made of logs, pierced 
at intervals with loopholes. The Northwestern Colony, of which Ben- 
jamin Pratt was president, was organized at Ripon, Wis., in January, 
1871. Russell County was decided upon as the place to locate, and 
they arrived at Fossil Station, now Russell, on the 19th of April. 
There were about seventy persons in the colony, and among them five 
families. From the arrival of this colony may be dated the permanent 
settlement of the county. Another colony, biit much smaller, from 
Ohio, located ten miles east of Russell, on the Kansas Pacific Railway, 
where they started a town named Bunker Hill. Settlers now began 
to come in and locate in different parts of the county. 

The first attempt at settlement in Saline County was that made by 
P. B. Plumb (now United States Senator from Kansas), Maj. Pierce 
and Mr. Hunter. This party, as earlj' as 1856, came as far west as 
the mouth of the Saline River, where they projected a town on the 
south side of the river, to which they gave the name of Mariposa. The 



^1 



t^ 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



49 



town grew to the dimensioas of one log house above ground, and a 
well under ground, when it was abandoned, and Saline County was 
left without an inhabitant. The second session of the Territorial 
Legislature chartered, in 1856, a company that had been organized 
under the name of the "Buchanan Town Company," taking its name 
from the President of the United States, elected that year. A large 
tract of land was selected, a portion of which was set apart for a public 
square. Eight log cabins were erected by the company in 1857, two on 
each side of the square, and the town of Buchanan was now established. 
Only two of the cabins were ever occupied. The head of this enter- 
prise was Richard Mobley, who resided at Ogden, in Riley County, 
and who was a member of the Lecompton Constitutional Convention.' 
He occupied one of the cabins with his wife and child, but the latter 
dying soon after, Buchanan was abandoned, and once more Saline 
County was left without a settler. Two or three years afterward the 
last vestige of Buchanan perished in the prairie fire's flames. In the 
•spring of 1858 W. A. Phillips came to the Smoky Hill Valley in com- 
pany with A. M. Campbell and James Muir. On arriving at the Saline, 
they found that some one had put up a log cabin on the northeast bank 
of the stream, not far from the Government bridge, and close to the 
cabin was a hay stack at which some buffaloes were eating. On going 
up to the cabin they found it deserted. From the Saline, they pushed 
on up to the Smoky until they reached that point where the river 
turned due south, and here they drove their stakes, located a town site, 
to which they gave the name of Salina, and this was the first perma- 
nent settlement made in Saline County. In March, 1858, John and 
Goothart Schipple, brothers, being the party who had erected the log 
cabin on the bank of the Saline, returned and settled upon their claim, 
which they had only temporarily abandoned during the winter of 
1857-58. 

The first bona fide white settler in Sedgwick County was C. C. 
Arnold, who came in 1857 with a party of hunters, and remained in the 
county. Mr. Arnold came from CofPey County, and his companions 
were Ed. S. Moseley, Mr. Maxley, Thompson Crawford, Robert Dun- 
lap, Robert Durackin and Jacob Gary. Maxley and Moseley located 
a "ranch " or Indian trading post on the Little Arkansas, a short dis- 
tance above the present site of Wichita. The others built a cabin and 
cultivated a little land on v^hat now constitutes William T. Jewett's 
farm on the Arkansas River, on the old town site of Park City. Their 
especial business was that of capturing buffalo cows and calves for 



^ 




eastern parks and traveling menageries. Maxley was drowned in the 
Kansas River in 1864. Moseley had previously taken a claim in Wil- 
son County, and, having entered it, moved into Humboldt, Allen 
County, and engaged in the butchering business. In the fall of 1868 
or spring of 1864, he again became a trader and Nimrod; his last 
scene of active life being laid at Medicine Lodge and the surrounding 
country, and a short time after leaving Humboldt he vpas murdered 
by Osage Indians. Next in order, disputing with C. C. Arnold the 
first settlership, was John Ross, a farmer, who, in 1860, settled upon 
what is now the Jewett farm, eight miles northeast of Wichita. Mr. 
Ross removed from Wilson County with his wife and children, built a 
house and began the work of a farmer. He was murdered in June of 
the same year by a band of Osage Indians. In the fall of 1863 J. R. 
Mead established a trading post on the site of Wichita, where he traded 
with the Indians for several years. This section of the Arkansas 
Valley, during the early days of Mr. Mead's residence, was the hun- 
ter's paradise. During a period of three weeks, assisted by two em- 
ployes, he killed 330 buffalo, saved 300 hides and 3,500 pounds of 
tallow, realizing from their labor the sum of $400, and killing, in addi- 
tion, considerable other gam^, including a large number of antelope 
and one elk. The Hist child known to have been born in the county 
was Sedgwick Hoover, whose parents still reside in Wichita Township. 
He was born December 23, 1869. The first marriage occurred in the 
winter of 1869-70. 

Probably the first man that settled among the Indians in Shawnee 
County was Frederick Chouteau, who in 1830 started a trading post on 
Mission Creek, about two miles south of the Kansas River. During 
the same year Rev. William Johnson, of the Shawnee mission, began 
his missionary labors among the Kaws. In 1835 the southern portion 
of the Government farm was established in the valley of Mission 
Creek, and a portion of it was plowed by Maj. Daniel Boone, a grand- 
son of the famous borderman. Mission buildings were erected the 
same year. The Pap an broth ers, Joseph, Ahcan, Louis and Enberie, 
were Canadians, whose father came from Montreal and settled in St. 
Louis, in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Joseph, Ahcan 
and Louis married, respectively, Josette, Julie and Victoire Gonvil, 
half-breed daughters of Louis Gonvil, a French trader, and his Kaw 
wife. These three girls, by the terms of a treaty made in 1825 with 
their tribe, were each entitled to a section of land on the north bank 
of the Kansas River, their special reservations covering the present 



:R* 



<y_® 



-L^ 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 51 



site of North Topeka and running west up the river. In the spring 
of 1840 Joseph and Ahcan, with their wives, moved from Missouri 
to one of these reservations, and were joined the following year by 
Louis and wife. In 1842 the Messrs. Papan established the first ferry 
across the Kansas River, long known as Papan's Ferry. It was just 
above the island to which the Topeka City reservoir is built, the 
southern landing being on the present farm of Mrs. Anthony Ward. 
The ferry was started to accommodate the travel between Fort Leav- 
onworth and New Mexico, but afterward became a favorite crossing 
for the California and Oregon traders and emigrants. 

In 1848 Louis Catalon and James McFerson moved to the Papan 
neighborhood, and in 1850 Fred Swice and George L. Young became 
settlers in what is now Soldier Township. When the Pottawatomies 
were removed from the Osage to the Kansas River, the missionaries 
who had been employed among them followed them to the new location. 
The limits of their reservation were not very definitely fixed at first, 
and the Catholic mission of Father J. B. Hocken was located too far 
south, intrenching upon the Shawnee reservation, on the site of the 
present township of Auburn. The mission was established in the fall 
of 1847. About twenty log cabins were built and occupied by the 
Indians during the following winter, and deserted by them in the 
spring, when they removed farther north to their own reservation. 
These buildings served as homes for the Shawnees for several years, a 
j)art of them and 800 acres of land being purchased of them in 1854 
by John W. Brown, the first white settler in Auburn. After 1854 
settlement was quite rapid. August 11, 1854, Mr. Brown was joined 
by a party of settlers from Missouri. 

Sheridan County is of recent settlement and organization. The 
first settler was a buffalo hunter, in 1874. 

The first settlers in what is now Smith County were John Rhodes, 
J. K. Belk, Ambrose Oldaker, B. F. Myers, J. H. Johnson, and J. C. 
Morrisson, who came in the fall of 1870. The following season they 
were followed by Thomas Lane and Anthony Robertson, who brought 
their families; H. H. Granholz, H. Menshoff, L. Binman, J. Rider, 
J. Eldredge, Thomas Decker, James H. Decker, T. J. Burrow, H. F. 
Albright, Charles Stewart, T. J. Tompkins, W. M. George, Fred W. 
Wagoner. The first stone house erected was built in 1877 by Col. 
Campbell. The first woman who settled in Smith County was Mrs. 
Mary Peebles, who became a resident of Lincoln Township in the fall 
of 1870. Ambrose Oldaker, probably the first settler in the county. 



^ « 



J, 



sTx.*" 



52 HIHTOKY OF KANSAS. 



who made a home on Oak Creek, twelve miles north of Cawker City, 
removed to Washington Territory in 1880. The first homesteader in 
the county was Christopher Noggels, who took a claim on Beaver 
Creek in June, 1871. The first marriage was that of T. J. Burrow 
and Miss R. J. Dunlap. 

\V. R. Hoole settled ui^on the first claim entered in Stafford 
County in May, 1874. In June John Birbeck came and built a frame 
house, the first in the county. About the same time, Martin Fitz- 
patrick and James O'Connor entered claims, upon which they located, 
followed soon after by Elisha Williamson, Ed Williamson, F. Will- 
iamson, Abe. Lash and H. Campbell, all of whom settled in the 
northern portion of the county, while J. C. Stone, R. M. Blair, Jesse 
Viekers, E. B. Crawford, Ed Hadlock and W. Z. Nutting settled in 
the eastern portion of the county, and James Neeland and two or 
three others in the southwestern portion. 

Early in 18G9 John Degolia and A. Cadou built a ranch on Slate 
Creek, in what is now Sumner Township, Sumner County. April 9 
J. M. Buffington crossed the Arkansas and built a house. May 16 
Lafayette Binkley and John Horton came to Big Cottonwood crossing, 
where Oxford now stands, and built the log trading store later occu- 
pied by John Hardman. Other settlers came soon after. These were 
among the pioneers. Settlement was quite rapid in most parts of the 
county. 

The first settler in Trego County was B. O. Richards, w'^o located 
at a place named Coyote, near the present site of Collyer. At that 
time Richards was a railway employe and kept a boarding house, but 
subsequently took a claim' and tried farming, but failing at this he 
went into stock raising. Richards, however, was not the first man in 
the county to attempt farming, the credit for this belonging to J. R. 
Snyder, who came in 1877. The settlers in the county who had pre- 
ceded the Chicago colony in 1877, were J. C. Henry, Harlow Orton, 
Earl Spaulding, J. K. Snyder, D. O. Adams, George Brown, George 
MoCaslin, George Pinkham and Peleg Richards. When Mr. Warren 
went to the county in the fall of 1877, for the purpose of establishing 
a colony and founding a city, there went with him W. S. Harrison, 
George Barrell, F. O. Ellsworth, Thomas Peck and C. W. F. Street, 
all of whom located upon claims in different parts of the county. 
The following year witnessed a rush, and the Government land ofiQce 
was besieged by large crowds daily, who wished to enter claims. 

The first collective settlement in Wabaunsee County. was made in 



A 




Wabaunsee Township in 1854, although there were a few settlers in 
other portions of the county whose advent dates as far back. In Wil- 
mington Township there were settled as early as 1854 Henry Harvey 
and one or two others, while in Farmer Township John P. Gleieh set- 
tled as early as 1853, and in 1854 Peter Thoes, Frank Schmidt, R. 
Schraudor and C. Schwankee. The first settlers mentioned were Peter 
Sharra, Bartholomew Sharra, J. H. Nesbitt, Rev. Harvey Jones, D. B. 
Hiatt, J. M. Bisby, Clark Lapham, Joshua Smith, Robert Banks and 
Rev. Mr. Leonard. The " Beecher Rifle Company," or "New Haven 
Colony," as de.scribed by some, came in April, 1856. The following 
is a li-.t of the names of those of the "Beecher Rifle Company" who 
came to Wabaunsee and remained over three months. Twenty of the 
original ninety who started from New Haven never came to Kansas at 
all, and all the others whose names are not given, either not wishing 
to share the fatigues, hardships and difficulties of the colony, or from 
some other cause, left the colony shortly after its arrival, and the 
names that are given represent only those who remained with the 
colony during its early struggles: C. B. Lines, William Hartley, Jr., 
J. D. Farren, George H. Coe, F. H. Hart, Silas M. Thomas, L. H. 
Root, J. M. Hubbard, Jr., William Mitchell, Jr., O. Bardwell, Rollin 
Moses, A. A. Cotteral, H. S. Hall, Benjamin Street, J. J. Walter, T. 
C. P. Hyde, E. C. D. Lines, E. D. Street, Timothy Read, H. M. Sel- 
d ^n, George Wells, S. A. Baldwin, W. S. Griswold, Isaac Fenn, J. P. 
R >ot, J. F. WiUard, H. D. Rice, H. Isball, D, F. Scranton, E. J. 
Lines, F. W. Ingham, L. A. Parker, E. N. Penfield, R. W. Griswold, 
G. H. Thomas, M. C. Welch. B. C. Porter, F. Johnson, C. E. Pond, 
L. W. Clark and W. G. McNary. 

In July, 1857, James McNulty came from Iowa, with his family, 
and settled in Marysville, Washington County. Here he remained till 
spring, when he removed five miles west of the present city of Wash- 
ington. When Mr. McNulty came to Washington Township he 
brought with him Ralph O.strander, who settled adjoining him, on 
what is known as the " Lavering Place." 

In the first year of the war the rebels twice sacked Humboldt, in 
Allen County, just northeast of the Wilson County settlements, and on 
the second raid burned the town. No attack was made on the settlers 
near Coyville, but it was thought best to be ready for defense, and a 
company was formed with eighty mounted men in line, under Capt. 
John R. Rowe and Lieuts. W. W. Brazel and Lewis Thompson. That 
fall fortifications were built at a point about three miles south of the 



liL 




town. They consisted of three blook-honses, 16x'24 feet, made of heavy 
logs, and enclosed with pickets six feet high. An embankment was 
thrown up on all sides, and the company went into winter quarters. 
The following spring the fort was deserted, and most of the militia en- 
listed in the Ninth Kansas Volunteers. Vestiges of the old fort still 
remain. Nothing of special moment in the way of settlement oc- 
curred during 18G3, or the early part of 1864. In August of the lat- 
ter year, Daniel C. Finn, a man destined to become quite noted in the 
early history of the county, arrived from New York. September 24, 
1864, a petition for the organization of Wilson County, bearing the 
signatures of thirty settlers, and headed by the name of Finn, was 
presented to Gov. Carney, and granted. Appointments were made of 
the various county officers, but much confusion ensued. Syracuse, a 
mythical place supposed to be near the center of the county, was des- 
ignated as the temporary county seat, and George M. Cottingham, W. 
M. Asher and William Brown were appointed county commissioners. 

Although many settlers were located in Woodson County prior to 
the war, all were, up to 1860, trespassers. The wide striia which took 
in all of Woodson County and a small slice of Coffey was the reserve 
of the New York Indians. The part of the strij> now embraced in 
Woodson County was never occupied by any of the New York tribes, 
their only settlement being a temporary one near Fort Scott. Find- 
ing that the Indians would not settle on the reserve, the Government, 
in 1860, had all of these lands offered for sale and opened to pre-emp- 
tion at the land olfice at Fort Ssott. News of this movement having 
been circulated throughout the county, the squatter settlers hastened 
to the land office and made the appropriate entries. Thus peacefully 
the well-nigh mythical Indian inhabitants forsook their lands, leaving 
them to the further improvement of the pale faces. It is extremely 
difficult to determine who were actually the first settlers in the county. 
Jack Caven, John Woolman, John Chapman and others reached 
Neosho Falls on March 2, 1857. About the same time Thomas Sears 
took a claim in Liberty Township, and William Stockebrand, August 
Toddmann and August Lauber, in Center Township. These, although 
the best known of the pioneers, were not the first, Reuben Daniels 
settling in Belmont in 1856; David Cooper in Toronto, and John Cole- 
man in Owl Creek Township, in 1856. 

By general consent Moses Grinter is awarded the priority among 
the early settlers of Wyandotte County. He located near where the 
station of Secundine afterward stood, in 1831, and lived there up to 



:f^:^ 



•V ® ^ 



.t> 




the time of his death, June 12, 1878. The next white man to stop 
within the limits of Wyandotte County was Rev. Thomas Johnson, a 
Methodist minister, who established a mission school among the Del- 
aware Indians, near the "White Church." In April, 1837, Eev. 
John G. Pratt located about sixteen miles west of Wyandotte. He 
established a Baptist mission among the Delawares, published several 
hymn books in their language, and one of his sons married a daughter 
of Charles Johnycake, a well known chief. Capt. John Ketehum, one of 
the most uoted chiefs of the Delawares, died in August, 1857. He 
lived near White Church. His fnneral was attended by a large num- 
ber of Indians, who came in their colored blankets and painted faces, 
carrying their guns. They were mounted on horseback, and as the 
procession slowly followed the remains of their chief along the wind- 
ings of the forest road, they seemed truly the sorrowful survivors of a 
once powerful race. The first marriage in the county was that of H. 
N. Northrup to Margaret, daughter of Thomas Clark, the Wyandotte 
chief. The development of this county under white occupancy has 
been remarkable. 

The year 1885 witnessed the first actual permanent settlements 
along the western frontier. Counties not mentioned in the foregoing 
pages are of very recent settlement and organization. 




7^ 



i^ 



-'^r-*- 



5(3 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



CHAPTER III. 



Territokial and State Organization— A Scheme of Enteuprising 
MissouuiANS— Hall's Uniontown "Constituency" — Election in 
THE Wyandotte Nation— Act Organizing Kansas and Nebraska 
— First Territorial Appointments— First Territorial Elec- 
tion Proclamation— Kansas' Four Constitutions— The To- 
peka, Lecompton, Leavenworth and Wyandotte Constitu- 
tional Conventions— Graphic Pen-Pictures of These Historic 
Deliberations — The Distinguished Participants in Them— 
Territorial and StateGovernors— Elections— State Officers. 



Men who their duties linow, 
But know their rights, and, linowing, dare maintain. — Sir W. Jones. 



N the brains of a few Missotirians, who be- 

■ Vjt .T Ireved the times and conditions were favorable 

^:^3^|%^^ for the work, the territorial organization of 




Kansas and Nebraska had its inception. The 
iirst move for a Territorial government made 
within the limits of Kansas was at the trading 
post of Uniontown. At that point was held, 
in the spring of 1S52, what purported to be a mass. met t. 
ing of the American citizens of the Indian Territory. 
The meeting and proceedings are alluded to in a sketch of 
the early days of Pottawatomie County by Hon. L. D. 
Palmer, who was present. His version of the affair reads 
as follows: "About half a dozen persons, residents of 
the State of Missouri, assembled together in a shed. One 
of them took from his hat a paper, on which had been 
written a set of resolutions brotight all the way from Mis- 
souri, and asked the assembled multittide to vote on 
them One individual said ' aye.' ' Noes ' were not called for. Two 
or three of these persons were sporting gentlemen, and the others were 
merchants who had furnished goods for the Indians and always came 






i ly 



^: 



HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 57 



at suehi times to collect. These resolutions recited that there were 
hundreds of families in that vicinity, in the interior of the Territory, 
who were bona fide settlers, whose lives and property were in constant 
jeopardy for want of civil protection, and memorialized Congress to 
organize a Territorial government. They purported to be the unani- 
mous expression of a large number of citizens, assembled together for 
the purpose of calling the attention of Congress to the perils that 
threatened them. " 

The petitions passed at this meeting were presented at the first 
session of the XXXITd Congress, by Hon. Willard P. Hall, a Mis- 
souri member, who, in the following session, presented the first 
bill in Congress providing for the organization of the Territory, in 
accordance with the praj'ers of his TJniontown "constituency." 

In the fall of 1852 (October 12) an election was held at Wyan- 
dotte, at which thirty-five votes were polled for Abelard Guthrie as 
Territorial delegate to Congress. 

So far as the vote of the Wyandotte Nation went, Mr. Guthrie's 
calling and election were sure beyond contest, but as there was no Ter- 
ritorial bill passed for more than two years thereafter, it proved an 
empty honor. A manuscript copy of the returns of this election is 
among the collections of the Kansas Historical Society. 

July 28, 1853, a convention was held at Wyandotte, a Territorial 
government organized, and Abelard Guthrie nominated for delegate 
to Congress. He was put forward as a Benton man. His competitor 
for the nomination — a friend of Atchison, and a stanch pro-slavery 
man — was Rev. Thomas Johnson. A bolting convention was held at 
Kickapoo Village, September 20, 1853, at which Johnson was placed 
in nomination as an opposition candidate. He was elected over 
Guthrie, as was claimed, by Indian votes. He went to Washington, 
but owing to the delay in passing the Territorial bill, was not received 
as a delegate. 

The act organizing Kansas and Nebraska was passed May 27 and 
approved by the President May 30, 1854 It contained thirty-seven 
sections. The provisions relating to Kansas were embodied in the 
last eighteen. 

The first Territorial appointments, looking to the inauguration of a 
local government, under the provisions of the organic law, were made 
in June and July, 1854. The oiScers appointed by President Pierce, 
whose appointments were confirmed by the Senate, and who entered 
upon the duties of their ofiice, were: Governor, Andrew H. Reeder, 



k 

~—4 — — It— I 

58 HISTOHY 01'' KANSAS. 



of Easton, Penii. , appoiated June 29, 185-t (he took the oath of 
olHco before Petor V. Dauiel, oiio of the justices of the Supreme 
Court of the United States, at Washington, July 7; he arrived in 
Kansas, at Fort Leavenworth, on Saturday, October 7, at which time 
ho became the executive head of the Kansas government, and person- 
ally assumed the functions of the office; salary, .'f'i, 500 per annum); 
secretary, Daniel Woodson, of Lynchburg, Va. , appointed June 29; 
salary, |2,000 per annum; United States marshal, Israel B. Donald- 
eon, of Illinois; salary, $300 per annum, and fees; chief justice, 
Madison Brown, of Maryland, who, not accepting the appointment, 
was superseded by Samuel D. Lecompte, of Maryland, who was 
appointed October 3, and took the oath of office before Gov. Reeder, 
at Leavenworth, Kas., December 5; salary, $2,000 per annum; 
associate justices, Saunders N. Johnson and Rush Elmore; salary, 
$2,000 per annum; attorney, Andrew J. Isack; salary, $250 per 
annum, and fees; surveyor-general, John Calhoun, Illinois, ap])ointed 
August 20; Territorial treasurer, Thomas J. B. Cramer, ai)poiuted 
August 29. 

The governor, after his arrival, set promptly to work to inaugur- 
ate his government. Among other preparations, he made a tour of 
observation, which took in the most important and most remote settle- 
ments in the eastern part of the Territorj-. It extended as far west 
as Fort Riley and Council Grove. His reception was enthusiastic. 
The proclamation for the iirst election in Kansas, bearing date Novem- 
ber 10, 1854, was issued November 15. 

Four constitutions were framed as the organic law before Kansas 
was admitted in the Union. The Topeka Constitution, which was the 
first in order, was adopted by the convention which framed it No- 
vembei'll, 1855, and by the people of the Territory, at an election 
held December 15, 1855. 

The Lecompton Constitution was adopted by the convention which 
framed it November 7, 1857. It was submitted to a vote of the 
people by the convention December 21, 1857, the form of the vote 
prescribed, being, "For the Constitution with slavery," and " For 
the Constitution without slavery." 

No opportunity was afforded at this election to vote against the 
constitution, and the Free State people of the Territory refrained from 
taking part in it. The Territorial Legislature, having been summoned 
in extra session by Acting-Gov. F. P. Stanton, passed an act submit- 
ting the Lecompton Constitution to a vote of the people at an election 



-F 







to be held January 4, 1858. At that election, 138 votes were 
cast for the constitution, and 10,220 votes against it. Notwith- 
standing this overwhelming vote against the constitution, it was sent 
to Washington by its partisans; Presideat Buchanan transmitted it to 
the Senate, urging the admission of the State under it, thus inaugur- 
ating the great contest which resulted in the division of the Demo- 
cratic party, the election of Abraham Lincoln and the final overthrow 
of the slave power. The bill to admit Kansas as a State luider the 
Lecompton Constitution failed, and the English Ijill finally passed Con- 
gress, under the provisions of which the constitution was again sub- 
mitted to a vote of the people on August 4, 18D8, with the result of 
1,788 votes in its favor, and 11, 300 against it. 

The constitutional convention which framed the Leavenworth Con- 
stitution was provided for by an act of the Territorial Legislature, 
passed in February, 1808, during the pendency of the Lecompton 
Constitution in Congress. The constitution was adopted by the con- 
vention at Leavenworth, April 3, 1858, and by the people at an elec- 
tion held May 18, 1858. 

The Wyandotte Constitution was adopted by the convention which 
framed it July 29, 1850, and was adopted by the people at an election 
held October 4, 1850. The State was admitted into the Union under 
this constitution, January 20, 1801. 

The Topeka constitutional movement was the in.stinctive effort of 
the Free-State people for unity about some recognized center. They 
must have something around which they could rally, and their leaders 
were sagacious enough to institute a movement which, while it served 
to consolidate the Free- State settlers into a compact organization, af- 
forded a reasonable prospect of a safe and constitutional exit from 
their troubles. A recent precedent had been afforded by California for 
the spontaneous action of the people in the organization of a State 
government, without an enabling act from Congress. Some of the 
most conspicuous leaders of the Topeka constitutional movement had 
particijjated in the California movement, and were enthusiastic in the 
conviction that a similar success would attend the effort here. The 
Topeka movement did come very near success. The House of Repre- 
sentatives on July 3, 1850, passed a bill for the admission of Kansas 
into the Union under that constitution. Had the bill become a law, 
Kansas would have been saved the five years of turmoil and strife which 
elapsed before she was admitted into the Union, and the subsequent 
course of the great stream of our national history might have been 



^ 



d:t 



60 



HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



diverted for a time at least from the bloody and fratricidal era to which 
it was' then so rajjidly and inevitably hastening. The Topeka consti- 
tutional movement served to hold the Free-State people together until 
after the great wave of immigration in the spring of 1S57 had virtu- 
ally settled the question of the future status of the Territory. The 
first fruits of that emigration were the restoration of the Territoral 
Legislature in the fall election to the hands of the people from whom 
it had been rapaciously seized by fraud and violence in March, 
1855. This gave the Free- State party a standpoint and leverage of 
undoubted legality for further proceedings. Heretofore their move- 
ments had been outside the pale of recognized authority. But the 
Territorial Legislature was recognized as valid by friends and foes 
alike. One of the first achievments of this new weapon in the hands 
of the people was the passage of an act, at the extra session called for 
that purpose by Secretary Stanton, submitting the Leeompton Consti- 
tution to an honest and fair vote, for acceptance or rejection, at an 
election to be held January 4, 1858. The result of this election was 
the rejection of the constitution by an overwhelming vote of unques- 
tioned legality and authority, thus furnishing an argument against the 
admission of the State under that constitution, which the friends of 
free Kansas in Congress used with tremendous power and unanswer- 
able effect. The population of the Territory during 1856 and 1857 
had increased very largely. The total vote cast for State officers 
under the Topeka Constitution, January 15, 185G, was 1,70G; the vote 
on the Leeompton Constitution, January 4, 1858, was 10,427, showing 
an increase of more than sixfold. The old movement had lost much of 
its hold upon the popular mind. Admission into the Union under that 
constitution had ceased to be regarded as probable. While the officers 
who had been elected to the various positions under it were still recog- 
nized, more or less, as leaders in the Free- State organization, it was 
nevertheless felt that the 50,000 new settlers who had come into the 
Territory during the two years which had ela^Jsed since their election 
ought to have some voice in choosing the future rulers of the State. 
Besides, it was argued with considerable force that the Free-State 
cause would be at a disadvantage should the battle in Congress and 
before the country against the Leeompton Constitution be fought upon 
the basis of the Topeka Constitution. That constitution had been 
framed by a convention elected without any authority of law; the 
total vote upon its adoption had been only 1,778, while two years had 
elapsed since it was framed and adopted, and meantime a large in- 



^ \h 



ik. 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 61 



crease in the population had taken place. Its enemies might and 
probably would (and in fact did) claim that it no longer represented a 
majority of the people. The Lecomptou Constitution, on the other 
hand, could claim a qnasi legality and regularity, the convention 
which framed it having been elected in conformity to an act passed by 
the Territorial Legislature. Having the Legislature now in their own 
hands, the Free State people felt that it would be the part of wisdom 
to call a new convention which would have at least as good standing for 
regularity and legality as the Lecomption convention, and whose con- 
stitution would receive an overwhelming indorsement at the hands of 
the people. The Lecompton Constitution would thus be confronted by 
a constitution of equal legality, of a more recent date and of un- 
doubted popular support. 

These considerations were undoubtedly the dominant ones in deter- 
mining the call of a new constitutional convention. There were minor 
influences which contributed to the same result. One of these, which 
assumed considerable importance before the Legislature passed the 
act calling the convention, was the question of the location of the 
capital. The Topeka Constitution had located the capital temporarily 
in Topeka, and the very name of the constitution served to keep the 
city prominently before the public. Other towns were ambitious of 
becoming the seat of government. A new constitution bearing some 
other name would at least divert attention from Topeka. Before the 
act calling the convention was passed, a scheme for locating the capi- 
tal at Minneola — a town existing only on paper, and created for the 
purpose — was broached and successfully carried through the Legisla- 
ture. The bill locating the seat of government of the Territory at 
Minneola was passed over the governor's veto, and two days thereafter 
the bill calling a constitutional convention, and fixing Minneola as the 
place where it should assemble, was also passed. 

The "Minneola Swindle," as it was called in those days,- created 
a sensation in Kansas so great as to seem almost extravagant as we 
look back upon it now. The gravamen was that the location of the 
capital at Minneola was a scheme to further the personal fortunes of 
members of the Legislature who were interested in the new town. 
In vain did they reply that the location was a good one, central, and 
well adapted to be the future capital of the State; that the capital 
was bound to be removed from Lecompton in any event, and that 
wherever located somebody's private fortunes would be enhanced 
thereby. The public judgment was severe, and condemned the thing 



l^ 



62 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



to Bueh a degree that many of the delegates elected to the constitu- 
tional convention were instructed by their constituents to vote for an 
immediate adjournment of that body to some ether point in the Terri- 
tory. It thus came about that the convention had no sooner completed 
its organization at Minneola than a motion was made to adjourn to 
some other place. This gave rise to a long and acrimonious debate. 
The session was prolonged during the whole night, and toward morn- 
ing the motion to adjourn and fixing the city of Leavenworth as the 
place of reassembling was passed. On the morning of March 24, 
1858, the members took their departure for Leavenworth, leaving this 
capital of a day to revert to its pristine condition of a quarter section 
of Franklin County prairie. And thus the constitution which the 
body afterward framed became known in history as the Leavenworth 
Constitution, and not as the Minpeola Constitution, as its original pro- 
jectors had expected. 

The convention reassembled in Leavenworth on the evening of 
March 25. The constitution was adopted and signed on April 3. The 
work had been done with brevity and dispatch. Indeed there was no 
great amount of work to be done. Aside from the special features to 
be hereafter noted, the draft of the Topeka Constitution was closely 
followed. There were few questions which gave rise to debate, and 
they were speedily settled. It was the aim of the convention to do 
its work as speedily as possible, make a good constitution and adjourn. 
The constitution was adopted by the people on May IS, 1858, and on 
the same day the following State officers were also elected under it, 
viz. : Governor, Henry J. Adams, of Leavenworth; lieutenant-governor, 
Cyrus K. Holliday, of Topeka; secretary of State, E. P. Bancroft, of 
Emporia; treasurer, J. B. Wheeler, of Doniphan; auditor, George 
S. Hillj-er, of Grasshopper Falls; attorney-general, Charles A. Fos- 
ter, of Osawatomie; superintendent of public instruction, J. M. Wal- 
den, of Quindaro; commissioner of school lands, J. W. Robinson, of 
Manhattan; representative in Congress, M. F. Conway, of Lawrence; 
supreme judges, William A. Phillips, of Lawrence; Lorenzo Dow, of 
Topeka, and William McKay, of Wyandotte; reporter of the Supreme 
Court, Albert D. Richardson, of Sumner; clerk of the Supreme Court, 
W. F. M. Arny, of Hyatt. Of these, Messrs. Holliday and Conway had 
been elected to positions in the State government under the Tojseka 
Constitution, Mr. Holliday having been secretary of State and Mr. 
Conway one of the judges of the Supreme Court. 

The State officers, under the Leavenworth Constitution, were nomi- 



•^n® 






HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 63 



nated upon a platform whose chief resolve was: "That should Con- 
gress accept the application accompanying the Lecompton Constitu- 
tion, and admit Kansas as a sovereign State in the Union, without the 
condition precedent that said constitution, at a fair election, shall 
receive the ratification of the people of Kansas, then we will put the 
Leavenworth Constitution, ratified by the j)eople, and the government 
iinder it, into immediate and active operation as the organic law and 
living government of the State of Kansas, and that we will support 
and defend the same against any opposition, come from whatever 
quarter it may." Before the election took place, however, the 
" English bill " had passed both Houses of Congress and become a 
law, so that the Lecompton struggle was over, and the long and bit- 
ter and bloody contest to make Kansas a slave State came to a close. 
The movement for admission under the Leavenworth Constitution was 
prosecuted no further, and the convention and its work survives 
only upon the pages of chequered history as one of the positions 
temporarily occupied by the great Free-State host in its onward 
march to final victory. 

It would be an interesting study, did space but permit, to compare 
the provisions of the four constitutions which were successively framed 
as the fundamental law of this State. Outside of the stormy and con- 
vulsed domain of the slavery question, the differences in the constitu- 
tions are not remarkable. In this domain, however, the differences 
are distinct and antipodal. The Lecompton instrument voiced the 
extremest doctrines of the slave power. In the article on " Slavery," 
for slavery was the suliject of a separate article, it is declared that 
"the right of property is before and higher than any constitutional 
sanction, and the right of the owner of the slave to such slave and its 
increase is the same and as inviolable as the right of the owner of any 
property whatever." The Legislature was declared to have no power 
to pass laws for the emancipation of slaves, without the consent of 
their owners, nor without paying to their owners before emancipation 
a full equivalent in money for them. The framers of this instrument 
seem to have labored to emphasize the degradation of manhood on the 
one hand and the elevation and sanetification of chattelhood on the 
other. Instead of the usual declaration that all men are equal in 
rights, they declare "that all freemen, when they form a social com- 
pact, are equal in rights," and they add that " no freeman shall be 
taken or imprisoned or disseized of his freehold, liberties or privileges 
or deprived of his life, liberty, etc., but by the judgment of his peers 



-.[^ 



64 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



or the law of the land. ' ' In the schedule to the constitution, they 
provide that, even though the vote should be for the constitution with- 
out slavery, still, ' ' the right of property in slaves now in the Territory 
shall in no manner he interfered with ; ' ' and in the section relating to 
amendments to the constitution, it is expressly and carefully provided 
"that no alteration shall be made to effect the rights of property in 
the ownership of slaves." Under these provisions, Kansas would in 
any event have been a slave State, and remained such as long as any 
of the slaves then living in the Territory, or any of their descendants, 
to the remotest generations, should have remained. 

These extreme and almost frantic provisions for the perpetuity and 
sanctity of property in slaves, viewed from our present standpoint, and 
with the light of the past twenty-five years of eventful and startling 
history bearing full upon them, seem chimerical and almost childish; 
but one must remember that at that time these monstrous doctrines 
dominated this country, controlled the utterances of the Supreme 
Court, were backed by the army and navy, and commanded the hearty 
support or the unprotesting acquiescence of a majority of the people. 
It was the merest margin and verge of chance that prevented these 
doctrines from being incorporated in the organic law of Kansas. The 
motion which finally resulted in what is known as the " English bill," 
and prevented admission under the Lecompton Constitution, passed 
the House of Representatives by a majority of only one vote. 

The framers of the Leavenworth Constitution studied to antagonize 
these peculiar and abhorrent, though characteristic, pro-slavery doc- 
trines of the Lecompton instrument. Thus the first section of the bill 
of rights follows almost the exact language of the Topeka Constitu- 
tion, in saying that "all men are by nature equally free and independ- 
ent, and have certain inalienable rights, among which are those of 
enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and 
protecting property, and seeking and obtaining happiness and safety," 
and then goes on to add, " and the right of all men to the control of 
their persons, exists prior to law and is inalienable," a clause which 
is certainly somewhat pleonastic, and is not to be found in the cor- 
responding section of the Wyandotte Constitution (which section, by 
the way, is more tersely and comprehensively expressed in the Wyan- 
dotte Constitution than in either of the others), but was added for the 
specific purpose of antagonizing the declaration of the Lecompton in- 
strument that the right of property is before and higher than any con- 
stitutional sanction. The idea was to antagonize the dogma of the right 



IRI^ 



^- 




of man to property in man by the doctrine of the right of man to him- 
self. It was liberty set over against slavery. So, too, the section of 
the Lecompton Constitution that no freeman shall be deprived of life, 
liberty or property, except by the judgment of his peers, and the law 
of the land, is repeated, almost word for word, with the word " person' ' 
substituted for the word "freeman." 

The section forbidding slavery is the same in the Leavenworth and 
Wyandotte Constitutions, and is a repetition of the section in the To- 
peka Constitution, that "there shall bene slavery in this State, nor 
involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crime," and adding 
the clause, "whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." 

The Leavenworth Constitution contains nowhere the word "white." 
There is not a word in it which refers to color. The expression " white 
male citizen" or "white male," which might probably then have been 
found in the constitution of every State in the Union, is not to be found 
in it. No change would have been required in its provisions or lan- 
guage to have made it in perfect harmony with the fourteenth and fif- 
teenth amendments to the Constitution of the United States. This was 
not the result of accident, but was achieved by the determined and 
persevering efforts of some of the most far-seeing spirits of the con- 
vention, who meant, if possible, that the invidiious and unrepublican 
distinction of color as in any way effecting men's rights, should have 
neither place nor countenance in the constitution. This result was not 
achieved without a struggle. The question was debated in some form 
and upon some clause or section of the constitution nearly every day 
of the session, but always with the same result. 

Strange as it may appear, the Lecompton Constitution does not 
contain the word ' ' white ' ' in its article on elections and the right of 
sufFrage. Section 1 begins: "Every male citizen of the United States, 
etc. , etc. , shall be entitled to vote. ' ' The Leavenworth Constitution 
adopts in its article on the elective franchise the identical expression, 
" every male citizen of the United States." The correspondence was not 
accidental: it was intentional. The fi'amers of the Lecompton instru- 
ment meant to emphasize the extreme doctrine of the slave power, that 
none but white men could be citizens of the United States; the framers 
of the Leavenworth Constitution, on the other hand, meant to empha- 
size the doctrine that every man born upon the soil and under the flag 
of the Union was a citizen of the United States. Indeed, the careful 
reader of the two constitutions will not fail to note how radically antago- 
nistic thev are. The one was intended to offset the other. The one 



17: 



embodied the most radical doctrines of the slave power; the other 
anticipated the advanced and humane doctrines of republican equality, 
which remain as the most precious legacy of the great War of the Re- 
bellion. 

The convention consisted of eighty-four members. Of these, Caleb 
May and William E. Griffith had been members of the Topeka Con- 
stitutional Convention, and were afterward members of the Wyandotte 
Constitutional Convention, the only individuals who were members of 
all of them. Five others, namely, James H. Lane, M. F. Conway, 
W. Y. Roberts, James S. Emery and Joel K. Goodin, had also been 
members of the Topeka Constitutional Convention. C. A. Foster had 
been assistant secretary of the Topeka Convention, James M. Winchell 
was afterward president of the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention, 
and John Ritchie and William McCulloch were also members of both. 
James H. Lane was elected president of the convention when organ- 
ized at Minneola, but resigned at Leavenworth, and Martin F. 
Conway was elected his successor. Samuel F. Tappan was secretary. 

Of the eighty-four members, many have since made men of mark. 
Winchell was president of the Wyandotte Constitutional Convention ; 
Lane was one of Kansas' first United States Senators; Conway was 
its first member of the House of Representatives; Thomas Ewing, 
Jr., was first chief justice of the State, and has since been eminent 
in the field and forum and at the bar ; H. P. Johnson died at the head 
of his regiment during the war; William Spriggs was second State 
treasurer; A. Larzelere was speaker of the Territorial House of Rep- 
resentatives in 1859; W. Y. Roberts served with distinction as colonel 
during the war; P. B. Phimb is United States Senator; J. R. Swallow 
was elected State auditor in 1864; Henry J. Adams was nominated for 
governor under the Leavenworth Constitutional Convention; F. G. 
Adams became secretary of the State Historical Society; W. F. M. 
Arny was secretary of New Mexico for years; C. H. Branscomb was 
United States consul at Manchester, England; James S. Emery has 
been United States district attorney for Kansas, and a regent of the 
State University; Samuel N. Wood has been repeatedly a member, 
and once speaker, of the House of Representatives; John Ritchie was 
a colonel during the war; William R. Griffith was the first and Isaac 
T. Goodnow the second State superintendent of public instruction; 
A. Danford was elected attorney-general in 1868; Robert B. Mitchell 
rose to distinction in the war, and was governor of New Mexico; Ed- 
ward Lynde was colonel of the Ninth Kansas Regiment; F. N. Blake 



"^i s "V 



^ 




was XJQited States consul to Qupbec; J. M. Walden became aa emi- 
nent clergyman in the Methodist Episcopal Church. There are others, 
doubtless-, worthy of mention. Taking them as a whole, it is doubtful 
if an abler body of men ever assembled in the State. Lane, of course, 
was the chief figure. He lived in Lawrence, but he appeared in the 
convention as a delegate from Doniphan County. He took little inter- 
est in the proceedings of the convention, but spent much of his time 
during the sessions in pacing up and down the area in the rear of the 
members' seats, running his hands through his hair, fi'om the base of 
the brain forward over the top of the skull, as his habit was. He 
looked merely at the political aspects of the movement. For the con- 
stitution, as a constitution, he seemed to care but little. Perhaps he 
foresaw the remote probability of the admission of the State under it. 
He wanted to be elected president of the convention because, first, he 
had been president of the Topeka Convention, and, secondly, he had 
had a quarrel with Gov. Denver, and wanted his favorite " indorse- 
ment" from the representatives of the people. When Conway re- 
monstrated with him at Minneola, for wanting to accumulate honors 
upon himself unduly, he promised to resign in Conway's favor when 
the convention should get to Leavenworth, and he kept his promise. 
He was inclined to side with the radical members of the convention, 
but he rendered them little assistance on the floor. He was not a 
leader. In the most exciting debate of the convention, namely, that 
over the question whether, in case the State were admitted under the 
Leeompton Constitution, the government under the Leavenworth Con- 
stitution should be put in operation, he took no part whatever. At 
Minneola, upon the night of adjournment, he made a powerful and 
di-amatic speech. The night was far spent. The candles had burned 
down in their sockets. The debate had been long, and at times angry. 
Some of the members were deeply interested in Minneola, and in their 
excitement they threatened that if the convention should adjourn from 
Minneola they would abandon the Free-State party and break it up. 
This threat aroused the sleeping lion in Lane. He came down from 
the chair, where he had presided with great fairness during the long 
debate, and took the floor. All eyes were upon him. As he pro- 
ceeded with his speech the interest intensified, and members began to 
gather around him, sitting upon the desks and standing in the aisles. 
The scene was one never to be forgotten— the dimly-lighted room; 
the darkness without; the excited men within; little Warren, the ser- 
geant-at-arms, standing unconscious upon the floor, with partly out- 






~e "V 



H>£. 




stretched arms and wholly carried away by the speech, and Lane 
himself aroused to a pitch of excitement which no one there ever saw 
him manifest on any other occasion during his whole career. As ho 
drew near his peroration, he painted a picture of the Free State party 
of Kansas, of what it had done and suffered for the great cause of 
human liberty, of the crisis that was then upon it, and of the respon- 
sibilities resting upon its members. He then alluded to the threats 
that these men interested in Minneola had made of abandoning and 
breaking up the party, and said that if in the momentous and supreme 
hour of the party's struggle, they were bound to leave it on account 
of a few paltry shares in Minneola, then '"let them go — and goto 
hell!" 

Conway followed Lane in the same strain, and in a speech which 
at any other time would have been a powerful one, but its effect was 
lost in the storm which Lane's outburst had aroused, and it passed al- 
most unnoticed. The vote was taken and the convention adjourned to 
Leavenworth. Martin F. Conway was an active participant in all the 
proceedings of the convention. He was an excellent presiding officer, 
and his speeches when he took the floor were earnest, impassioned and 
logical. He had read and studied, more deeply, perhaps, than any 
other member of the convention, the theory of our governmental sys- 
tem, and was positive and well fortified in his convictions. Coming 
from a slave State himself, and a great student of the writings 
and speeches of leading statesmen of the South, he more thoroughly 
comprehended the nature, the designs and the ambitions of the slave- 
power, and seemed to more intensely hate it, than any other man there. 
His subsequent life, with its single brief success and its numerous and 
prolonged misfortunes, down to his confinement and death in an asy- 
lum in Washington, made up a strange career even in this country of 
surprises and contradictions. One of the most marked members of the 
convention was Thomas Ewing, Jr. This gentleman added to the 
graces of a youthful and engaging person the charm of attractive man- 
ners and a brilliant mind. He took an intelligent interest in the work 
of the convention, and was ready and effective in debate. His speeches 
wore the air of preparation, while his manner had an appearance of 
dignity and restrained enthusiasm, which left the impression of re- 
served force and an unexpended power upon the mind of the hearer. 
He always seemed like a man who had not done his best, but who upon 
proper occasion could rise to still more masterful heights of argument 
and eloquence. He was the easy leader of the conservative wing of 

e) — ^ .. 

^7=P ^^^ifv 



the convention, and championed their views with conspicuous, though 
ineffectual, ability. 

The most exciting debate in the convention over any part of the 
constitution occurred in connection with Section 5, of the schedule, 
which provided that in case the constitution should be adopted by the 
people, then upon the admission of Kansas into the Union as a State, 
the constitution should be in full force, the State officers should im- 
mediately enter upon the discharge of their duties, and the governor 
should immediately, by proclamation, convene the General Assembly. 
As has been already seen, this Leavenworth Constitutional movement was 
going on at the very time that the bill for the admission of Kansas under 
the Lecompton Constitution was pending in Congress, and was intended 
as the counter movement of the Free-State people against that measure. 
The contingency of the admission of the State under the Lecompton 
Constitution had to be contemplated. The Free-State people had full 
control of the Territorial Legislature. A portion of them had taken 
part in the election of officers under the Lecompton Constitution, and 
had really carried that election, electing the entire set of State officers 
under it, but on the face of the returns, including the fraudulent re- 
turns from Oxford, Shawnee and Kickapoo, the pro-slavery officers 
were elected, and Calhonn, the president of the Lecompton Constitu- 
tional Convention, had the granting of certificates both to the State 
officers and to the Legislature. There was no sufficient or reasonable 
doubt that Calhoun would carry out the j^ro slavery j^rogramme to the 
end. He had already declared the constitution ' ' with slavery ' ' 
adopted, and he would doubtless give certificates to the pro slavery 
officers under it. The plain question which confronted the Free-State 
people was, what would they do under these circumstances ? Their 
answer was contained in the tifth section of the schedule, which is 
above referred to. The debate over this section was fierce and pro- 
longed. It lasted the whole day. Members felt that it involved what 
might become very practical and serious issues. The one side main- 
tained that it was the only logical, consistent and courageous position for 
the Free State people to take. The other contended that it looked to 
a conflict with the general Government, which could only result in 
disaster and defeat. Ewing led off on the conservative side in opposi- 
tion to the section in a magnificent speech. Conway came down from 
the chair and spoke in its defense. Others followed on either side, 
until the day wore away. When the vote was finally reached, the sec- 
tion was adopted by a decided majority. It is not recorded that Lane 



^ 



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70 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



said a single word on either side of this debate. As to which side was 
right it is unnecessary now to discuss. The progress of events fort- 
unately prevented the question at issue from ever becoming a practical 
one. Had it become so, however, it is probable that the Free-State 
people would have been victorious in the struggle which must have 
ensued. Early in February, 1859, the Territorial Legislature passed 
an act, submitting to the people the question of calling a constitutional 
convention. This vote was taken March 28, and resulted: For, 5,306; 
against, 1,425. On May 10, 1859, the Republican party of Kansas 
was organized, at Osawatomie, and at the election held on June 7, for 
delegates to the Wyandotte Convention, the Republican and Demo- 
cratic parties confronted each other in Kansas for the first time. The 
Democrats carried the counties of Leavenworth, Doniphan, Jefferson 
and Jackson, and elected one of the two delegates from Johnson. The 
Republicans were successful in all the other counties voting. The 
total vote polled was 14,000. The Republican membership was thirty- 
five; Democratic, seventeen. 

The convention then chosen assembled on July 5, 1859. In its 
composition it was an unusual, not to say remarkable, Kansas assem- 
blage. Apparently the chiefs of the contending parties had grown 
weary of constitution making, or regarded this fourth endeavor in that 
line as a predestined failure, for they were conspicuous by their ab- 
sence. In the Topeka Convention nearly every prominent man of the 
Free- State party had a seat. Gen. Lane was president, and Charles 
Conway, Marcus J. Parrott, William Y. Roberts, George W. Smith, 
Philip C. Schuyler, C. K. Holliday, Mark W. Delahay, and many 
other prominent Free-State leaders were members. In the Leaven- 
worth Convention there was a similar gathering of widely known Free- 
State men. Conway was its president, and Lane, Roberts, Thomas 
Ewing, Jr., Henry J. Adams, H. P. Johnson, S. N. Wood, T. Dwight 
Thacher, P. B. Plum, Joel K. Goodin, A. Larzelere, W. F. M. Arny, 
Charles H. Branscomb, John Ritchie, and many other influential Free- 
State chiefs or partisans were among its members. 

The younger men of the Territory constituted the convention at 
Wyandotte. They came upon the field fresh, enthusiastic, and with a 
place in the world of thought and action to conquer. They recognized 
the fact that they must do extremely well to secure popular favor, and 
they set about their task with industry, intelligence and prudence. 
They were not martyrs nor reformers, as many of those of Topeka were; 
nor jealous politicians or factionists, as were most of those at Leaven- 



3) 'y 



worth. They had no old battles to tight over again, no personal feuds 
to distract them, no recollections of former defeats or victories to re- 
verse or maintain. They were their own prophets. They had no ex- 
perience in constitution making, and hence did not look backward. 
They were not specialists. Few had hobbies. A few were dogmatic, 
but the many were anxious to discuss and willing to be convinced. 
A few were loquacious, but the majority were thinkers and workers. 
Some were accomplished scholars, but the majority were men of ordi- 
nary education, whose faculties had been sharpened and trained by the 
hard experience of an active and earnest life. Many were vigorous, 
direct, intelligent speakers; several were really eloquent; and a few 
may justly be ranked with the most versatile and brilliant men Kansas 
has ever numbered among her citizens. 

Very few were old men. Only fifteen of the tifty-two members 
were over forty. Over one-third were under thirty, and nearly two- 
thirds were under thirty-five. Very few had previously appeared as 
representatives of the jjeople in any Territorial assemblage, and this was 
especially true of the men whose talents, industry and force soon 
approved them leaders. Samuel A. Kingman had been in the Terri- 
tory only about eighteen months, and was unknown outside of Brown 
County until he appeared at Wyandotte. Solon O. Thaoher was a 
young lawyer of Lawrence, never before prominent irt public affairs. 
John J. Ingalls had served, the previous winter, as engrossing clerk 
of the Territorial council. Samuel A.. Stinson was a young attorney, 
recently from Maine. William C. McDowell had never been heard 
outside of Leavenworth. Benjamin F. Simpson was a boyish-looking 
lawyer from Miami County, and John T. Biirris had been practicing, 
for a year or two, before justices' courts in Johnson County. John P. 
Slough had been a member of the Ohio Legislature, but was a new- 
comer in Kansas, and E. G. Ross was the publisher of a weekly news- 
paper at Topeka. One-half of the members had been in the Territory 
lessthaii two years. Six came in 1854, four in 1855, and twelve in 1856, 
while Mr. Forman, of Doniphan, dated his residence from 1853; Mr. 
Palmer, of Pottawatomie, from 1S54, and Mr. Houston, of Riley, from 
1853. Forty-one were from Northern States, seven from the South, 
and four were of foreign birth, England, Scotland, Ireland and Ger- 
many each contributing one. It appears singular that only one of 
the Western States, Indiana, was represented in the membership, that 
State furnishing six delegates. Twelve hailed from New England, 
Ohio contributed twelve, Pennsylvania six, and New York four. Only 

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HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



eigliteea belonged to the legal profession — an unusually small number 
of lawyers in such a body. Sixteen were farmers, eight merchants, 
three physicians, three manufacturers, one a mechanic, one a printer, 
one a land agent and one a surveyor. The oldest member was Robert 
Graham, of Atchison, who was fifty-five; the youngest, Benjamia F. 
Simpson, of Lykins County (now Miami), who was twenty-three. 

It was a working body from the first hour of its session until the 
last. It jDerfected its organization, adopted rules for its government, 
discussed the best mode of procedure in framing a constitution, and 
appointed a committee to report upon that subject during the first 
day's session; all the standing committees were announced on the 
third day, and by the close of the fifth day it had disposed of two very 
troublesome contested election eases, decided that the Ohio constitution 
should be the model for that of Kansas, perfected arrangements for 
reporting and printing its debates, and instructed its committees upon 
a number of disputed questions. Tiie vote on selecting a model for 
the constitution was, on the second ballot: For the Ohio constitution 
twenty-five votes; Indiana, twenty-three, and Kentucky, one. So the 
Kansas constitution was modeled after that of Ohio. 

The chairmanships of the different committees were assigned as 
follows: Preamble and bill of rights, William Hutchinson, of Law- 
rence; executive department, John P. Greer, of Shawnee; legis- 
lative dej)artment, Solon O. Thacher, of Lawrence; judicial depart- 
ment, Samuel A. Kingman, of Brown County; military, James G. 
Blunt, of Anderson County; electors and elections, P. H. Townsend, 
of Douglas; schedule, John T. Burris, of Johnson; apportionment, 
H. D. Preston, of Shawnee; corporations and banking, Robert Gra- 
ham, of Atchison; education and public institutions, W. R. Griffith, 
of Bourbon County; county and township organizations, John Ritchie, 
of Topeka; ordinance and public debt, James Blood, of Lawrence; 
finance and taxation, Benjamin F. Simpson, of Lykins; amendments 
and miscellaneous, S. D. Houston, of Riley County; federal relations, 
T. S. Wright, of Nemaha County; phraseology and arrangements, 
John J. Ingalls, of Atchison. 

The work of the convention was praeticdly completed on the 
twenty-first day. The various articles had each been considered and 
adopted, first in committee of the whole, then in convention, then 
referred to the committee on phraseology and arrangement, and, after 
report of the committee, again considered by sections and adopted. 
But so anxious were the members that every word used should be the 



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HISTORY OF KANSAS. 73 



right word, expressing the idea intended most clearly and directly, 
that when the reading of the completed constitution was finished, on the 
morning of the twenty-first day, it was decided to refer it to a special 
committee, consisting of Messrs. Ingalls, Winchell, Ross and Slough, 
for further revision and verification. This committee reported the 
same afternoon, and again the constitution was read by sections for 
final revision with the same painstaking carefulness and attention to 
the minutest details. All that afternoon and all the next day, with 
brief interruptions for action on the closing work, this rovision went 
on, and it was 5 o'clock in the afternoon of the 29th before the last 
section was perfected. Then occurred one of the most dramatic 
scenes of the convention. Mr. Hutchinson submitted a resolution 
declaring that "we do now adopt and proceed to sign the constitu- 
tion." 

At once Mr. Slough addressed the chair, and after warmly eulogiz- 
ing the general features of the constitution, pronouncing it " a model 
instrument," he formally announced that political objections impelled 
himself and his Democratic associates to decline attaching their signa- 
tures to it. For a few moments after Mr. Slough concluded, the con- 
vention sat hushed and expectant. But no other Democratic member 
rose. It was evident that the caucus ruled. Then Judge Thacher, 
the president pro tern., addressed the chair, and in a speech of remark- 
able vigor and eloquence, accepted the gauge of battle thrown down. 
" Upon this constitution," he declared, " we will meet our opponents 
in the popular arena. It is a better, a nobler issue than ever the old 
Free- State issue. They have thrown down the gauntlet; we joyfully 
take it up." _He then proceeded to defend, with great earnestness and 
power, the features of the constitution objected to by Mr. Slough. 
"The members of the convention," he asserted, "have perfected a 
work that will be enduring." The constitution, he affirmed, \yould 
"commend itself to the true and good everywhere, because through 
every line and syllable there glows the generous sunshine of lib'^ ty. " 

The twilight shadows were gathering about Wyandotte when this 
debate closed, and the convention proceeded to vote on Mr. Hutchin- 
son's resolution, which was adopted by thirty- four ayes to thirteen 
nays — one Republican and four Democrats being absent. The roll 
was then called, and the constitution was signed by all the Republican 
members except one, Mr. Wright, of Nemaha, who was absent, sick. 
The work of the convention was completed, and after voting thanks to 
its officers it adjourned without date. 



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74 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



It is doubtful whether the organic law of auy other State in the 
Union has more successfully survived the mutations of time and 
inconstant public sentiment, and the no less fluctuating necessities of 
a swiftly developing commonwealth. Of its seventeen articles only 
four, and of its one hundred and seventy-eight sections only eight 
have been amended. And of the eight amendments adopted, only 
five have revoked or modified the principles of policy originally 
formulated, the others being changes demanded by the growth of the 
State, or by the events of the Civil War. The first amendment, rati- 
fied in 1861, provides that no banking institution shall issue circulat- 
ing notes of a less denomination than $1 — the original limitation being 
15. In 1864 the provision requiring all bills to originate in the 
House of Representatives was repealed; and a section intended to 
prevent United States soldiers from voting, but which was so worded 
that it deprived our volunteers of that right, was also repealed. In 
1867 an amendment was adopted disfranchising all persons who aided 
the "Lost Cause," or who were dishonorably discharged from the 
army of the United States, or who had defrauded the United States, 
or any State during the war. In 1868 the State printer amendment 
was ratified. In 1873 the number of Senators and Representatives, 
originally limited to 33 and 100 respectively, was increased to 40 and 
125. In 1875 three propositions, each having in view biennial, instead 
of annual, sessions of the Legislature, were adopted; and in 1880 
the prohibition amendment was ratified. 

On October 4, 1859, the constitution was submitted to the people 
for ratification or rejection, and for the first time in the history of 
Kansas, all parties cast a full, free and unintimidated vote. The Re- 
publicans favored, and the Democrats generally opposed its adoption. 
Nearly 16,000 votes were polled, of which 10,421 were for, and 5,530 
against the constitution. The homestead clause, submitted as an in- 
dependent proposition, was ratified by a vote of 8,788 for, to 4,772 
against it. Every county in the Territory except two, Johnson and 
Morris, gave a majority for the constitution. 

Two months later, December 6, State and county ofiicers and mem- 
bers of the Legislature were elected, and the people of Kansas, having 
exhausted their authority in State building, patiently awaited the 
action of Congress. On April 11, 1860, the House of Representatives 
voted, 134 to 73, to admit Kansas as a State, under the Wyandotte 
Constitution. Twice during the next eight months the Senate de- 
feated motions to consider the Kansas bill, but on January 21, 1861, 



JIV 




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several Southern senators having seceded, Mr. Seward " took a pinch 
of snufif" and called it up again. It passed by a vote of 30 to 16, 
and on the 29th of the same month President Buchanan approved it. 
Thus young Kansas, through many difficulties and turmoils, was " added 
to the stars." 

Gov. Andrew H. Reeder, the first governor of Kansas Territory, 
was appointed June 29, 1854. He was removed from office July 28, 
1855, received official notice of his removal and ceased to act as gov- 
ernor August 15. The secretary, Hon. Daniel Woodson, became act- 
ing governor during the remaining part of the session of the Terri- 
torial Legislature. August 10, Hon. Wilson Shannon was commis- 
sioned as governor. He resigned August 21, 1856, and on the same 
day received official notice of his removal and the appointment of 
Hon. John W. Geary as his successor. Gov. Geary resigned March 
4, 1857. Secretary Woodson again became acting governor, from 
April 16, when Mr. Geary's political and official connection with Kan- 
sas affairs terminated, to May 27, when his successor arrived. The 
successors of both Geary and Woodson were appointed March 10, 
1857, Hon. Robert J. AValker receiving the appointment of governor 
and Hon. Frederick P. Stanton as secretary of the Territory, to be 
acting governor until the arrival of Mr. Walker. On December 17, 
Gov. Walker resigned. December 21, John W. Denver took the oath 
of office and served until October 10, 1858, when he resigned. Sam- 
uel Medary was appointed governor November 19, and arrived in the 
Territory and entered upon the duties of his office December 20. De- 
cember 17, 1860, Gov. Medary resigned, and George M. Beebe, then 
secretary of the Territory, became acting governor, in which capacity 
he continued until the inauguration of the State government, Feb- 
ruary 9, 1861. 

Since the establishment of the State government, the governors 
have been elected, and the gubernatorial vote at the successive elec- 
tions has been as follows: 1859 — Robinson, Republican, 8,155; Me- 
dary, Democrat, 5,637. 1862— Carney, Repnblican, 9,990; WagstafF, 
Union, 5,463. 1866— Crawford, Republican, 19,770; McDowell, 
Union, 8,151. 1868— Harvey, Republican, 29,795; Glick, Democrat, 
1,388. 1870— Harvey, Republican, 40,667; Sharp, Democrat, 20,- 
496. 1874— Osborn, Republican, 48,594; Cusey, Reformer, 35,301; 
Marshall, Temperance, 2,277. 1876— Anthony, Republican, 69,170; 
Martin, Democrat, 46,201; Hudson, National, 6,020. 1878— St. 
John, Republican, 74,020; Goodin, Democrat, 37,208; Mitchell, 



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76 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



National, 27,057. 1882— St. John, Republican, 75,158; Glick, 
Democrat, 83,237; Robinson, National, 20,933. 1884— Martin, Re- 
publican, 146,777; Glick, Democrat, 108,284. 1886— Martin, Re- 
publican,' 149,513; Moonlight, Democrat, 115,594. 1888— Hum- 
phrey, Democrat, 180,841; Martin, Republican, 107,480; Boekin, Pro- 
hibitionist, 6,439; Elder, Union Labor, 36,236. 

The several governors of the State of Kansas have served succes- 
sively as follows: 

1. Charles Robinson, February, 1861, to January, 1863. 

2. Thomas Carney, January, 1863, to January, 1865. 

3. Samuel J. Crawford, January, 1865, to November, 1868, when 
he resigned (in his second term) to take command of the Nineteenth 
Regiment of Kansas Cavalry, in active service against the Indians on 
the plains. 

4. Nehemiah Green, serving as lieutenant-governor at the time of 
Gov. Crawford's resignation, was governor from November, 1868, to 
January, 1869. 

5. James M. Harvey, January, 1869, to January, 1873 (two 
terms). 

6. Thomas A. Osborn, January, 1873, to January, 1877 (two 
terms). 

7. George T. Anthony, January, 1877, to January, 1879. 

8. John P. St. John, January, 1879, to January, 1883 (two 
terms.) 

9. George W. Glick, January, 1883, to January, 1885. 

10. John A. Martin, January, 1885, to January, 1889 (two 
terms). 

1 1 . Lyman U. Humphrey, inaugurated January, 1889, and now 
in office. 

The presidential vote of Kansas is shown by the following figures: 
1864— Lincoln (Republican), 14,252; McClellan (Democrat), 3,704. 
1868— Grant (Republican), 30,019; Seymour (Democrat), 13,584. 
1872 -Grant (Republican), 66,948; Greeley (Liberal), 32,478. 1876 
—Hayes (Republican), 78,319; Tilden (Democrat), 37,810; Cooper 
(National), 6,867. 1880 -Garfield (Republican), 121,548; Hancock 
(Democrat), 59,803; Weaver (National), 19,845. 1884— Blaine (Re- 
publican), 154,406; Cleveland (Democrat), 90, 132; Butler (Greenback), 
16,341. 1888— Harrison (Republican), 182,914; Cleveland (Democrat), 
102,728. 

The Kansas State officers for 1889 were the following: Lyman U. 






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HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



77 



Humphrey, governor; Andrew J. Felt, lieutenant-governor; William 
Higgins, secretary of State; Thomas F. Orner, assistant-secretary; 
Timothy McCarthy, auditor; S. S. McFadden, assistant-auditor; J. W. 
Hamilton, treasni-er; R. R. Moore, assistant -treasurer; L. B. Kellogg, 
attorney-general; George AV. Winans, superintendent of public instruc- 
tion; D. W. Wilder, superintendent of insurance; ClifPord J. Baker 
State printer. 



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78 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



CHAPTER lY. 



Kansas in the Rebellion— First Call for Volunteers— Quota 
Assigned to the State More than Filled— Sketches of Regi- 
mental History— Infantry and Cavalry Organizations— Bat- 
teiues— Colored and Indian Troops— Casualties— The Govern- 
or's Military Staff, 1861-1863— 1863-1865— Cost to Kansas of the 
Price Raid and Curtis Expedition — Tedious Settlement of 
War Claims. 



Ah me ! what perils do environ 

The man that meddles with cold iroa.— Butler. 



•''A.NSAS when admitted as a State proved but a 
landmark in the continued struggle which, begun 
upon her soil seven years before, had culmi- 
nated in advantage gained but not in victory won. 
Compelled through the very instrumentalities it 
had summoned to its aid, to loosen its clutch 
upon Kansas, the slave-power had now thrown 
off disguise and challenged the nation to open 
battle for its life. In the renewed contest the infant 
State put on the strength of years, took her place in 
the foremost rank, and fought with unswerving fidelity 
and bravery to win again, for all, the battle she had al- 
ready won for herself. The citizens of a country which, 
after twenty years of peace, can boast that among them 
are numbered a million warriors who have done honora- 
' ble service in the field, know too well the story of war, 

and what constitutes the true soldier, to look for invidious accounts of 
individual acts of heroism. Braveiy during the war became the well- 
earned heritage of all American citizens both North and South. The 
simple story of the honorable part Kansas bore in this great struggle 
is best told in a plain recital of services performed, without futile 
attempt to enhance its interest by florid figures of speech or rhetorical 




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HISTORY OF KANSAS. 79 



display. The eloquence of suffering and privation and death is in 
each name and every line. 

It was but three months from the time that Kansas was admitted 
as a State, when she was called upon to furnish her quota toward sup- 
pressing the Rebellion. Daring the years 1859-60, the military or- 
ganizations, formed for the protection of the people during the turbu- 
lent years preceding, had fallen into disuse, or been entirely broken 
up, and at the breaking out of the Civil AVar, the State government had 
no well -organized militia, no arms, accoutrements or supplies. The 
first call of the President for 75,000 militia was made April 15, 
1861. Kansas furnished 650 men, and the Legislature immediately 
took measures to amend the military condition of the State. April 22, 
1861, an act was passed providing "for the organization and disci- 
pline of the militia," under which, during Gov. Robinson's adminis- 
tration, that branch of the service was very generally organized 
throughout the State — 180 companies being formed, and organized into 
two divisions, four brigades and eleven regiments. Many of these 
companies entered the volunteer service, entire, under the various calls 
thereafter made, and of the remainder, the number was very much 
diminished from the same cause. Under the second call of President 
Lincoln, May, 1861, for 400,000 volunteers, the First and Second Reg- 
iments were recruited, many whole companies marching to the place of 
rendezvous and offering their services, besides those accepted. At 
each succeeding demand of the Government, the response of Kansas 
was cordial and earnest; and this in the face of the stern fact that no 
extra pecuniary recompense could be offered by the young and by no 
means wealthy State for their services, it being all she could do 
to meet the ordinary expenses of the situation. Kansas, neither as a 
State, nor by counties or cities, was obliged to resort to the system of 
offering bounties, extra pay to families of soldiers, or any of the other 
expedients commonly employed to encourage recruiting. 

Statistics show that the losses of Kansas regiments in killed in 
battle and from disease are greater per thousand than those of any 
other State. The peculiarly unhealthy localities in which a large part 
of their service was performed, with the laborious nature of the serv- 
ice itself — long marches through a wild and unsettled country; out- 
post and scout duty; poor hospital accommodations when ill — all 
combined to produce this result. It is noticeable that in the Northern 
regiments doing duty in like localities, the mortality was also very great. 
The entire quota assigned to the State was 16,654 and the number 



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raised was 20,097, leaving a surplus of 3,443, to the credit of Kansas. 

The First Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry was organized 
May 8, 1861, rendezvoused at Camp Lincoln, near Fort Leaven- 
worth, and was mustered into the United States service June 3, 
under the following officers : George W. Deitzler, of Lawrence, col- 
onel; Oscar E. Learnard, of Burlington, lieutenant colonel; John A. 
Halderman, of Leavenworth, major; Edwin S. Nash, of Olathe, adju- 
tant; George H. Chapin, of Quindaro, quartermaster; George E. 
Buddington, of Quindaro, surgeon; Ephraim Nute, of Lawrence, 
chaplain. The regiment served in Missouri, at Wilson's Creek, having 
seventy-seven men killed and 333 wounded. After further brave serv- 
ice in the South and Southwest, it was mustered out at Fort Leaven- 
worth June 17, 1864, except two veteran companies which continued 
in the service until August 30, 1865, after the close of the war. 

The Second Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry was recruited in 
May and June, 1861, rendezvoused at Lawrence, and was mustered 
in June 20, under the following officers: Robert B. Mitchell, of 
Mansfield, colonel; Charles W. Blair, of Fort Scott, lieutenant- 
colonel ; William F. Cloud, of Emporia, major; Edward Thomp- 
son, of Lawrence, adjutant; Shaler W. Eldridge, of Lawrence, 
quartermaster; Aquila B. Massey, of Lawrence, surgeon; Randolph 
C. Brant, of Lawrence, chaplain. This regiment also participated in 
the battle of Wilson's Creek, and its connection with that engage- 
ment is peculiarly interesting, historically. Col. Mitchell, at a most 
critical juncture, was about to move his regiment forward to the 
aid of the hard pressed regiments in front. As the regiment was 
moving to its position, Gen. Lyon, already bleeding from two wounds, 
joined Col. Mitchell at the head of the column, and swinging his hat 
in the air, called upon the soldiers to prepare for a bayonet charge on 
the enemy. The Second had scarcely time to rally around him, when 
their own brave leader. Col. Mitchell, fell, severely wounded, exclaim- 
ing as he was borne from the field: "For God's sake, support my 
regiment." His soldiers, deprived of their commander, cried out: 
" We are ready to follow— who will lead us?" "I will lead you," 
answered Gen. Lyon; "come on, brave men." The words were 
hardly uttered before he fell, mortally wounded by a bullet which 
struck him in the breast. The command of the Second now devolved 
upon Lieut. -Col. Blair. The men sprang forward, the charge was 
made, the enemy driven quite over the hill, and the command brought 
back to the brow of the hill and reformed. For a time Lieut. -Col. 



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Blair held his position, with but eight compauies of his regiment, and 
with no field or staff ofScer to assist him. Afterward, a section of a 
battery and four companies of the First Kansas were sent to his aid. 
Three of these companies were soon ordered to another position, and 
the battery withdrawn, but Col. Blair, having been rejoined by his 
own Company B, and the other regimental officers, held his ground, 
though totally unsupported and with ammunition nearly spent. 
Before the rebels had been fairly repulsed after their last and deadli- 
est assault on the whole line, Maj. Sturgis, believing the ammunition 
of the Second exhaiisted, ordered its withdrawal, but it remained in 
its old position an hour and a half with unbroken line, and withdrew 
only after the departure of the enemy, being the last regiment to 
leave the field. It saw other creditable service in Missouri and else- 
where, and was discharged at Leavenworth, with instructions to 
reorganize. Col. Mitchell, Lieut. -Col. Blair, Maj. Cloud and Capt. 
Crawford being retained in the service. The organization which 
proved to be the germ of the Second Kansas Cavalry was effected 
through the labors of Alson C. Davis, of Wyandotte County, Kas., 
who, in October, 1801, obtained authority from Maj. -Gen. Fremont, 
then commander of the Western Department, to raise a regiment of 
cavalry in the State of Kansas, such regiment to be designated the 
Twelfth Kansas Volunteers, with place of rendezvous at Fort Leav- 
enworth, Kas. The organization, as commenced, consisted of the fol- 
lowing officers: C. L. Gorton, adjutant; Julius G. Fisk, quartermas- 
ter; J. B. Welborne, surgeon. The dates of the organization of the 
several companies were as follows: Company A, November 22, 1861: 
Company B, December 9, 1861; Company C, December 11, 1861; 
Company D, December 11, 1861; Company E, December 15, 1861. 
December 26, by order of the governor. Companies F, G, H and 
I, of Nugent's Regiment of Missouri Home Guards, were attached 
to the organization, and its designation was changed to "Ninth Kan- 
sas Volunteers." December 31, 1861. Joseph P. Boot was mus- 
tered in as surgeon, vice J. B. Welborne. January 4, 1862, Owen 

A. Bassett was mustered in as lieutenant-colonel, Julius G. Fisk as 
major, and Luther H. Wood as quartermaster. January 7, Thomas 

B. Eldridge was mustered in as major and Rev. Charles Reynolds as 
chaplain. On the same day. Company K was organized. January 
9, Alson C. Davis was mustered in as colonel, and Dr. George B. 
Wood as assistant surgeon, completing the organization of the Ninth 
Kansas Volunteers as follows: Colonel, Alson C. Davis, of Wyandotte 



82 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



County; lieiitenant-colonel, Owen A. Bassett, Douglas County; major, 
Julius G. Fisk, Wyandotte County; major, Thomas B. Eldridge, 
Douglas County; adjutant, C. L. Gorton, Leavenworth County; quar- 
termaster, Luther H. Wood, Wyandotte County; surgeon, Dr. Joseph 
P. Root, W^yandotte County; chaplain. Rev. Charles Reynolds, 
Douglas County. The regiment left Fort Leavenworth on January 
20, 1862, with orders to establish winter quarters at Quindaro. On 
the 4th of February, the four companies formerly attached to Nugent' s 
Regiment were mustered out, their enlistment being for home service, 
thus reducing the regiment to six companies. The Ninth now being 
below regulation size. Col. Davis resigned, and Maj. Eldridge 
was, at his owu request, mustered out. Company K from this time 
was designated as Company F. On February 28, 1862, Maj. -Gen. 
Hunter, commanding the department of Kansas, assigned to the 
Ninth Kansas Volunteers the following otlicers and companies, for- 
merly belonging to the Second Kansas Volunteer Infantry: Colonel, 
Robert B. Mitchell; majors, Charles W. Blair and William F. Cloud. 
John Pratt was appointed adjutant; Cyrus L. Gorton, quarter- 
master; Luther H. Wood, first battalion quartermaster, and David 
C. Coleman, first battalion adjutant. On the 11th of March Col. 
Mitchell assumed command of the Ninth Kansas, and on the 12th the 
regiment left winter quarters at Quindaro, and, pursuant to orders, 
moved to Shawneetown. On March 15 the name of the regiment 
was changed to Second Kansas Volunteers, and again changed on the 
27th of the same month to the name by which it was thereafter known 
— Second Kansas Cavalry. The officers of the regiment were the fol- 
lowing: Robert B. Mitchell, colonel, Mansfield; Owen A. Bassett, 
lieutenant colonel, Lawrence; Charles W. Blair, major. Fort Scott; 
John Pratt, adjutant, Lawrence; David R. Coleman, battalion adju- 
tant, Paris; Cyrus L. Gorton, quartermaster, Leavenworth; Joseph 
P. Root, surgeon, Wyandotte; Charles Reynolds, chaplain. Fort 
Riley. Col. Mitchell, having been promoted to brigadier-general, 
April 8, 1862, with command of the proposed New Mexico expedi- 
tion, June 1, Col. William F. Cloud, of the Tenth, was assigned 
to the command of the Second Cavalry. May 16, Capt. Henry 
Hopkins, First Lieut. Robert H. Hunt, Second Lieut. John K. 
Rankin and Second Lieut. Joseph Crocklin, with a detail of 
privates, were assigned to Hopkins' (formerly Hollister's) Battery, 
and were ordered with the brigade of Gen. Mitchell to Tennessee. 
Maj. Julius G. Fisk, with squadrons A and D, was ordered to New 



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HISTORY OF KANSAS. ~ 83 



Mexico. The regiment served in the southwest principally, going by 
way of Fort Riley In March, 1864, the Second was assigned to 
Lieut. -Col. Bassett's Cavalry Brigade, under Maj. Fisk. In Sep- 
tember, 1864, Col. Cloud was assigned to the staff of Maj. -Gen. 
Curtis. The different companies were mustered out between 
March 18 and June 22, 1865, at Little Rock, Fort Leavenworth 
and Fort Gibson. The men were paid and discharged at Lawrence, 
August 17. 

The Fifth Kansas Cavalry was organized in July, 1861, under the 
following officers: Colonel, Hampton P. Johnson, Leavenworth; lieu- 
tenant-colonel, John Ritchie, Topeka; major, James H. Summers; 
adjutant, Stephen R. Harrington, Washington, D. C. ; quartermaster, 
James Davis, Leavenworth; surgeon, E. B. Johnson, Leavenworth; 
chaplain, Hugh D. Fisher, Lawrence. Col. Johnson assumed com- 
mand of the Fifth at Fort Scott in August, 1861. The regiment 
served principally iu Arkansas. In September, 1864, several com- 
panies were mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, their term of service 
having expired. During the year, members of the remaining com- 
panies were mustered out at Leavenworth, Pine Bluff and Little Rock. 
June 22, 1862, the re-enlisted veterans of the Fifth were mustered 
out at Duvall's Bluff, Ark. 

The Sixth Regiment Volunteer Cavalry was organized in the spring 
of 1862, by the reorganization of several "Home Guard" companies, 
then lately mustered out of the service, officered thus: Colonel, Will- 
iam R. Judson; lieutenant-colonel, Lewis R. Jewell; major, William 
T. Campbell; adjutant, 'Isaac Statten; quartermaster, Simeon B. 
Gordon; surgeon, John S. Redfield; chaplain, Richard Duvall — all 
of Fort Scott. The duties required of the Sixth were not such as to 
call forth the impetuous daring that marks men in desperate engage- 
ments, but rather such as test a soldier's endurance and strength of 
nerve — long and weary pursuits of an enemy over his native country, 
scouting through the forests and passes of Missouri, Arkansas and 
Kansas — but, such as they were, they had their peculiar perils, and 
they were bravely met. The regiment was mustered out late in 1864 
and early in 1865. 

The Seventh Kansas Cavalry was organized October 28, 1861, and 
mustered into the service of the United States under the following 
officers: Colonel, Charles R. Jennison, Leavenworth; lieutenant- 
colonel, Daniel R. Anthony, Leavenworth; major, Thomas P. Her- 
rick, Highland; adjutant, John T. Snoddy, Mound City; quarter- 



84 HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



master, Robert W. Hamer, Leavenworth; surgeon. Joseph L. Weaver, 
Leavenworth; chaplain, Samuel Ay era, Leavenworth. The regiment 
served in Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee, and was mustered out 
at Fort Leavenworth in September, 1865. Lieut. -Col. Anthony was 
deprived of his command in Tennessee, June 18, 1862, for issuing an 
offensive order. July 17 Maj. Albert T. Lee was promoted to colonel, 
and assumed command of the regiments. Col. Lee having been pro- 
moted to brigadier-general November 29, 1862, the command devolved 
upon Lieut. -Col. Herrick. During the Missouri campaign of 180-1 
the regiment was commanded by Lieut. -Col. F. M. Malone. 

The Eighth Infantry was originally recruited and intended for 
home and frontier service. Hostile Indians on the west and armed 
rebels on the east, rendering Kansas at any moment liable to invasion, 
a double duty devolved on the young State, and at that period of the 
war, while furnishing liberally of her "bone and sinew" to repel the 
enemy abroad, her own homes and families had also to be considered 
and protected. As organized in November, 1861, the regiment con- 
sisted of six infantry and two cavalry companies, with the following 
regimental officers: Colonel, Henry W. Wessels, United States army; 
lieutenant-colonel, John A. Martin; major, Edward F. Schneider; 
adjutant, S. C. Russell; quartermaster, E. P. Bancroft. During the 
three months following this organization, various changes were made' 
in the regiment. Some companies were added, some were transferred 
to other regiments, and some were consolidated. February 7, 1862, 
Col. Wessels was ordered to Washington to assume command of his 
regiment in the regular army, and Lieut. -Col. Martin succeeded to 
his place. Later in the mouth, the Eighth was consolidated with a 
battalion raised for New Mexican service, the cavalry com2)anies, D 
and H, were transferred to the Ninth Kansas, and the Eighth, now an 
entire infantry regiment, was placed under command of Col. R. H. 
Graham. The organization of the regiment after these changes was 
as follows: Colonel, Robert H. Graham, Leavenworth; lieutenant- 
colonel, John A. Martin, Atchison; major, Edward F. Schneider, 
Leavenworth; adjutant, Sheldon C. Russell, Lawrence; quartermas- 
ter, E. P. Bancroft, Emporia; surgeon, J. B. Woodward, Riley 
County: chaplain, John Paulson, Topeka. May 28- five companies of 
the regiment — B, E, H, I and K — after being reviewed at Fort Leaven- 
worth, embarked on a Missouri steamer, under orders from Gen. Blunt, 
then commander of western department, to report at Corinth. Miss. 
At St. Louis, Col. Graham was obliged to resign his command, in con- 

' %^ (a r ^^ 3) "V 



3 >?• 




sequence of sickness, and it again devolved upon Lieut. -Col. Martin. 
In December, 1862, Col. Martin was assigned to the command of the 
brigade, and Maj. Schneider to that of the regiment. In February, 
1863, Companies A, C, D, F, and, in March, Company G, rejoined 
the regiment. These companies had been stationed at different posts 
in Kansas, chiefly employed in repelling the incursions of rebel bands 
from Missouri, and guarding the frontier of their own State. January 
■4, 1864, four-fifths of all the members of the Eighth, then present in 
camp, re-enlisted as veteran volunteers. On the 9th, Gen. AVillich 
assumed command of the Third Division, the command of the First 
Brigade devolving upon Col. Martin, and that of the regiment upon 
Maj. James M. Graham. Col. Martin was mustered out at Pulaski 
on the 17th of November, his term of service having expired. The fol 
lowing day Lieut. -Col. Conover took command of the regiment. The 
Eighth saw service in East Tennesee, and especially recommended 
itself to the admiration of the nation by the part it took at Mission 
Ridge. At the close of the war it went to Texas, and did not return 
until January, 1866, when it was mustered out at Leavenworth. It 
was one of the earliest regiments in the field, and its term of service did 
not close until the echo of the last Confederate gun had died away. 

The Ninth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry was organized March 27, 
1862, under the following officers: Colonel, Edward Lynde, Grass- 
hopper Falls; lieutenant colonel, Charles S. Clarke, lola; major, 
James M. Pomeroy; adjutant, Luin K. Thacher, Kansas City; quarter- 
master. William Rosenthal, Lawrence; surgeon, Henry C. Bostick, lola;. 
chaplain, Gilbert S. Northrup. The final organization of the Ninth 
was efl^ected by consolidating and organizing the lola battalion (raised 
in Southern Kansas) with detachments of the First Battalion Kansas 
Cavalry, the Third Kansas, and the Eighth Kansas Volunteers. The 
place of rendezvous for these companies was Fort Leavenworth, where 
also the regiment was organized, and whence the companies were de- 
tached to various posts of duty — A, on escort duty to Fort Union, N. 
M. ; B, into the mountains of Colorado, to build Fort Halleck; C, to 
Fort Riley; G, to Fort Lyon, Colo., and I, to Fort Laramie. The de- 
tachments on the plains were long in defense of overland mail routes, 
and the protection of immigrants, one detachment proceeding north- 
west to Montana, the other having its station along the Santa Fe route. 
The four companies, D, E, F and H, under Maj. Bancroft, formed a 
part of the expedition into the Indian coimtry, and, under Col. Lynde, 
were engaged during a part of August, 1 862, in pursuing the force of 



fe^ 




Gen. CofPey through Western Missouri. The regiment took part in 
the desultory warfare which was waged in Kansas, Missouri and Ar- 
kansas, remaining on duty at Little Rock and Duvall's BlufP until its 
term of service expired, some of the companies returning to Leaven- 
worth in the fall of 1864, to be mustered out of the service, and some 
remaining until mustered out in the summer of 1865. 

April 3, 1862, the Third and Fourth Kansas Regiments, together 
with a small portion of the Fifth, were, by order of the war depart- 
ment, consolidated at Paola, Kas. The regiment formed by such con- 
solidation was designated the Tenth Kansas Infantry, and was at that 
time organized under the following officers: Colonel, William F. 
Cloud, Emporia; lieutenant colonel, Henry H. Williams, Osawatomie; 
major, Otis B. Gunn; adjutant, Casimio B. Zulaoski, Boston, Mass.; 
surgeon, Mahlon Bailey; chaplain, John H. Drummond, Marysville. 
The regiment saw service on the border, and at the expiration of its 
term was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth. 

The Tenth Kansas Veteran Regiment was composed of four com 
panies, the Veterans, with the recruits of Companies F and I, forming 
the new companies, A and B. The regiment was commanded by Maj. 
Henry H. Williams from its organization until the last of August, 
186-t, when he was placed in charge of Scholield Barracks, St. Louis. 
The Tenth left St. Louis for Pilot Knob, Mo., under command of 
Lieut. F. A. Smiley, Company D, and on its arrival the command was 
transferred to Capt. George D. Brooke, Company C. On November 
7, the regiment embarked at St. Louis for Padueah, Ky., and on its 
arrival at that place Capt. William C. Jones, of Company B, took 
command. November 28, it arrived at Nashville, and the next day at 
Columbia, Tenn., being at the latter place assigned to the Fourth 
Army Corps, Gen. Stanley commanding. The regiment fell back with 
the army of Gen. Scholield after the battle of Franklin, and on reach- 
ing Nashville was employed on the defenses of the city until Decem- 
ber 16, having been in the meantime transferred to the Seventeenth, 
afterward Sixteenth Army Corps, Second Brigade, Second Division. 
Later it was commanded by Capt. (afterward Lieut. -Col.) Charles S. 
Hills. It took part in subsequent warfare in that field, and acquitted 
itself heroically on more than one occasion. It was mustered out in 
Alabama, and, September 20, 1865, received payment and final dis- 
charge at Fort Leavenworth. 

The Eleventh Kansas Infantry (afterward cavalry) was the result 
of the energetic and patriotic Hon. Thomas Ewing, Jr., at a time 






;^ 



when the State felt hardly able to spare even the men it had already in 
the field. The first recruit enlisted August 8, 1862, and on the 14th 
of September the last company was mustered in, the line officers as 
follows: Field and staff— colonel, Thomas E wing, Jr., Leavenworth; 
lieutenant-colonel, Thomas Moonlight, Leavenworth; major, Preston 
B. Plumb, Emporia; adjutant, John Williams, Leavenworth; quar- 
termaster,, James R. McClure, Junction City; surgeon, George W. 
Hogeboom, Leavenworth; chaplain, James S. Ciine, Tecumseh. On 
the promotion of Col. Ewing to be brigadier-general, Lieut. Col. 
Maonlight was promoted to colonel, Maj. Plumb to lieutenant -colonel, 
and Capt. Anderson to major; but the regiment having lost over 300 
men. its number was below the minimum, and they could not mus- 
ter at that time. On changing the regiment to cavalry, it was again 
below regulation size, and Maj. Anderson was the only field officer 
mustered in until the following spring, when two additional com- 
panies having been recruited and mustered in, the organization of the 
Eleventh Kansas Cavalry was completed by the commission of Lieut. - 
Col. Moonlight as colonel, Maj. Plumb as lieutenant colonel, and 
Capts. Ross and Adams as majors. Early in the war the regiment 
was in Missouri and Arkansas. Later it served under Gen. Ewing in 
Southwest Missouri and Kansas. In 1864 it took part in the cam- 
paign against Price; after that in the movement against the Indians. 
Lieut. -Col. Plumb succeeded Col. Moonlight in command. The regi- 
ment was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth in the early fall of 
1865. 

The Twelfth Infantry was recruited by C. W. Adams, of Law- 
rence, in the counties of Wyandotte, Johnson, Douglas, Miami, 
Franklin, Coffey, Allen, Linn and Bourbon. It was mustered into 
the service at Paola, September 25, 1862, under the following offi- 
cers: Field and staff— colonel, Charles W. Adams, Lawrence; lieu- 
tenant-colonel, Jonas E. Hayes, Olathe; major, Thomas H. Kennedy, 
Lawrence; adjutant, Charles J. Lovejoy, Baldwin City; quartermas- 
ter, Andrew J. Shannon, Paola; surgeon, Thomas Lindsay, Garnett; 
chaplain, Werter R. Davis, Baldwin City. This regiment served on 
the frontier, and was mustered out at Little Rock, June 3, 1865. 

The Thirteenth Kansas Infantry was raised in conformity to the 
quota assigned Kansas, under President Lincoln's call of July, 1862, 
and was recruited by Cyrus Leland, Sr., in the counties of Atchison, 
Brown, Doniphan, Marshall and Nemaha. The rendezvous was 
established at Camp Stanton, city of Atchison, the regiment organ - 



^ 




M 



'-hL 




ized September 10, 1862, and mustered into the service of the 
United States on September 20 of the same year, under the fol- 
lowing officers: Colonel, Thomas M. Bowen, Marysville; lieutenant- 
colonel, John B. Wheeler, Troy; major, Caleb A. Woodworth, Atchi- 
son; adjutant, "William P. Badger; quartermaster, Cyrus Leland; sur- 
geon, William M. Grimes, Atchison; chaplain, Daniel A. Murdock. 
The Thirteenth was in the engagement at Prairie Grove, and saw con- 
siderable guerrilla warfare. It was mustered out at Little Rock, 
Ark., June 26, 1865. 

The nucleus of the Fourteenth Kansas Volunteer Infantry was four 
companies of cavalry, which were recruited as personal escort of Maj.- 
Gen. Blunt, m the spring of 1863. The necessity of raising an ad- 
ditional force for fi'ontier service was so imperative that the recruit- 
ing of a whole regiment was authorized, and the work performed dur- 
ing the summer and fall, Maj. T. J. Anderson serving as recruiting 
officer. The organization of the regiment was partially completed in 
November as follows: Field and staff — colonel, Charles W. Blair, Fort 
Scott; majors, Daniel H. David, Charles Willetts and John G. Brown, 
Leavenworth; adjutant, William O. Gould, Leavenworth; assistant sur- 
geon, Albert W. Chenowith, Lecompton. The Fourteenth took part in 
the peculiarly dangerous and wearing service on the border and in the 
campaign against Price. It was mustered out at Lawrence, August 20, 
1805. After the numerous guerrilla raids of 1863, under Coffey, Rains 
and Quantrell, culminated in the terrible massacre at Lawrence, Gov. 
Carney immediately commissioned Col. C. R. Jennison to recruit a reg- 
iment of cavalry for the express jJurpose of protecting the eastern border 
of Kansas. Rendezvous was established at Leavenworth, and in a 
month the required companies were raised, and the Fifteenth Kansas 
Volunteer Cavalry organized under the following officers: Colonel, 
Charles R. Jennison, Leavenworth; lieutenant-colonel, George H. Hoyt, 
Boston, Mass. ; major, Robert H. Hunt, Leavenworth; adjutant, Joseph 
Mackle; quartermaster, George W. Carpenter; surgeon, Augustus E. 
Denning, Topeka; chaplain, Benjamin L. Read, Leavenworth. The reg- 
iment served in Missouri and Kansas, taking part in repelling the 
Price raid. 

The Sixteenth Volunteer Cavalry was organized during the latter 
period of the war, and was officered as follows: Colonel, Werter R; 
Davis, Baldwin City; lieutenant-colonel, Samuel Walker, Lawrence; 
major, James A. Price, and adjutant, Philip Doppler, both of Wes- 
ton, Mo.; quartermaster, William B. Halyard; surgeon, James P. 



:fxr^ 



■^-^ — ■ — '■^ 

HISTORY OF KANSAS. 89 



Erickson; chaplaiu, Thomas J. Ferril, Baldwin City. This regiment 
was out against Price, and participated in guerrilla and Indian warfare 
in Missouri. 

In response to the President's call of April 23, 1804, for troops to 
serve 100 days, live companies were recruited in Kansas and organized 
into a battalion, which, July 28, was mastered into the Seventeenth 
Kansas, at Fort Leavenworth, under the following officers: Lieutenant- 
colonel, Samuel A. Drake; adjutant, D. C Standbridge; quarter- 
master, D. B. Evans; assistant surgeon, George E. Baddington; all 
of Leavenworth. This regiment, the last raised in the State, served 
with credit to the end of the struggle. Six companies of the First 
Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry were mustered in January 13, 1863. 
The organization was completed with four additional companies. May 
2, under these officers: Colonel, James M. Williams; lieutenant-colonel, 
John Bowles; major, Richard J. Ward; adjutant, Richard J. Hinton; 
quartermaster, Elijah Hughes; surgeon, Samuel C. Harrington. It 
performed good services in the Southwest, and was mustered out at 
Pine Bluff, Ark., October 1, 1865. 

The Second Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry also served on the 
bolder. It was organized in the summer of 1863, and organized at 
Fort Smith. Ark., under the following field and staff officers: Colonel, 
Samuel J. Crawford, Garnett; lieutenant-colonel, Horatio Knowles; 
major, James H. Gillpatrick, Junction City; adjutant, John R. Mont- 
gomery, Little Rock, Ark.; quartermaster, Edwin Stokes, Clinton; 
surgeon, George W. Walgamott, Lawrence; chaplain, Josiah B. Mc- 
Affee, Topeka. It was discharged from the service at Leavenworth, 
November 27, 1865, having, as did also the First Colored Infantry, 
nobly performed its duty, and by its faithful service proved the bravery 
and efficiency of colored soldiers. 

The First Kansas Volunteer Battery has left meager records. Its 
first officers were mustered in July 24, 1861, about fifty artillery men 
enlisting that month. The organization was as follows: Captain, Thom- 
as Bickerton; first lieutenant, Norman Allen, both of Lawrence; sec- 
ond lieutenant, Hartson R. Brown; first sergeant, John B. Cook, Au- 
burn; second sergeant, Shelby Sprague, Prairie City; corporal, John 
S. Gray, Mornd City. Many recruits were added to the battery dur- 
ing the early part of 1862, and it participated in the battle at Prairie 
Grove. It left Rolla, Mo., July 9, 1863, for St. Louis. In conse- 
quence of the death of Capt. Norman Allen, who was promoted Feb- 
ruary 25, 1862, and who died at St. Louis July 10, 1863, the command 



90 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



devolved oa Lieut. Thomas Taylor. Lieut. H. R. Brown having been 
mustered out February 15, 1862. Directly succeeding the death of 
Capt. Allen the battery was ordered to Indiana, and took an active 
part in capturing Morgan's guerrilla band, then on its raid through 
that State. After this it was ordered to St. Louis, and subsequently 
to Columbua, Ky. It served with distinction in all the principal 
actions in which the armies of the Tennessee and Mississippi were en- 
gaged, and its numbers were greatly reduced by the casualties of war 
and by disease. It was mustered out of service at Leavenworth, Kas., 
July 17, 1865. 

The work of organizing the Second Kansas Volunteer Battery was 
commenced in August, 1802, under the supervision of Maj. O. W. 
Blair, of the Second Kansas Cavalry. Its organization was completed 
on September 19, following, its officers being as follows: Charles W. 
Blair, Fort Scott, commanding; first lieutenant, Edward A. Smith; 
first lieutenant, David C. Knowles; second lieutenant, Andrew G. 
Clark, all of Fort Scott; second lieutenant, Aristarchus Wilson, Ma- 
pleton; first sergeant, William Requa, Mount Gilead; quartermaster- 
sergeant, William H. Boyd, Mansfield. At the time the battery was 
mustered in at Fort Scott, its entire force was 123 officers and men, 
two twelve-pounder field howitzers, and four sis pounder guns. The 
battery was assigned to First Brigade, Gen. Soloman, First Division, 
Gen. Blunt, of the Army of the Frontier, then consolidated under Gen. 
Schofield at Pea Ridge, and participated gallantly in the warfare in 
the Southwest. It was mustered out of service in August, 1865. 

The military organization afterward known as the Third Kansas 
Batteiy was originally recruited as a cavalry company, by Henry Hop- 
kins and John F. Aduddell, in the latter part of 1861, and on the 
formation of the Second Kansas Cavalry, February 28, 1862, was 
assigned to that regiment as Company B, its officers being as follows: 
Captain, Henry Hopkins, and first lieutenant, John F. Aduddell, both 
of Albion, 111. ; second lieutenant, Oscar F. Dunlap, Topeka. May 
15, 1862, the latter was succeeded by Bradford S. Bassett. Capt. Hop- 
kins having been ordered to the command of Hollister's battery, Lieut. 
Aduddell succeeded to the command. This organization served in the 
Southwest, principally in Arkansas, latterly under the command of 
Lieut. Bassett, and was mustered out in January, 1865, except about 
fifty men who were attached to the Second Battery. 

Three Indian regiments were actively engaged in the United States 
service during the war of the Rebellion, which were officered and 

^ eJ ^ ^ 



U-, 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



91 



entirely recruited in Kansas. The recruits were chiefly from the loyal 
refugee Seminole and Creek Indians, who had taken refuge from the 
encroachments of hostile Indians under Stand- Waitie, in the southern 
border of the State. A few were resident Indians, having homes and 
families in Kansas. 

CASUALTIES IN KANSAS REGIMENTS DURINCi THE WAR. 





KiUed. 


Died 

of 

Wounds 


Deaths 

by 
Disease 


1 




111 

2 53 


a 


•p 
O 


c 


Mis'ing 


REGIMENTS. 


1 
O 




i 
o 


a 
1 


1 

o 


1 


1 
O 


s 

a 

Ed 


g 

o 




1 
O 


1 


1 
o 


o 


e 
o 


i 

1 

o 


1 


First Infantry 

Sf.ona Infantry 

Sp.i.ii.1 Cavali-y 

Fifth (avail V 

Si\tli lavalrv 

s.-v.Mitli(;iv:Ury 

Ei^'hth Infantry 

NintliCavaliy 

Tentli infantry 

Eleventh Cavalry.... 
Twelfth Infantry .... 
Thirteenth Infantry. 
Fourteenth Cavalry . 
Fifteenth Cavalry . . . 
Sixteenth Cavalry . . . 
First Col. Infantry. . . 
Second Col. Infantry. 

First Battery 

Se 1 liattery 

Tiiircl liatt.-rv 

Ind. Col. Hattery 


11 
1 

I 
1 
3 

2 


86 
4 
50 
40 
73 
53 
GO 
4-2 
15 
56 
11 
14 
48 
10 
10 
15b 
21 
3 
5 
5 


• • 


1 
12 
U 
18 
8 
23 
13 
8 
9 
1 
6 
2 
9 
3 
10 
16 
2 


i 

2 
3 

1 
3 

4 

1 
2 


94 

93 
219 
120 
97 
132 
199 
118 
101 
111 
104 
106 
77 
94 
165 
187 
20 
15 
17 
9 






238 
6 
191 
96 
130 
226 
128 
89 
75 
24 
38 
126 
157 
154 
135 
62 
63 
19 
13 
14 
4 


• • 


209 

Bl 
113 
117 
160 
180 
158 
84 
106 
82 
156 
49 
144 
50 
66 
28 
20 
6 
7 
16 






4 

16 
25 
4 
3 
6 

1 

2 

25 
I 


14 




36 

4 
14 
27 
11 
24 
28 
25 
12 

5 
14 
21 

4 
10 
12 
15 
15 

3 

'i 






i 

8 

5 
2 
3 

2 
1 

8 

I 

i 
i 


Total 


34 


762 


12 


192 


26 


2080 


_2_ 


1988 


8 11849 


J^ 


94 


43 


4 


281 


_ 




^5 



^■, 



■^ 



•u 



^' 



92 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



CiOVEUNORS MILITARY STAFF-ISGl-1863. 
(Appointed underact May 7, ISGI.) 

HIS EXCELLENCY CHARLES ROBINSON, GOVERNOR AND COJIMANDER-IN-CHIEF, 

February 9, 1861, to January 12, 1863. 



Office. 



Names. 



Rank. Appointed. 



Remarlis. 



Adjutant-General.... 
Quartermaster-Gen.. 

Asst. Qarterm.-Gen.. 
Paymaster-General. . 
Inspector-General . . . 

.Iu(lge Advocate 

Cliiei Engineer 



Aides-de-Camp . 



Roljt. B. Mitcliell. Bi 



I llfiuvi). Slid 

A. .1. Mitcliell. 

B. F. Simpson 
J. P.Greer... 
O. B. Gimn... 

J. L. .MiI)o«-( 
John .V. .M;ui 

E. P. UlIirlMl 
.1. .■MulltUOlllr 



Will. Tholrll ., 

I J. F. ^'ullllllinj^s 



Bi 




Ki 


;;.-ii 


r.i 


"'-(! 




nl„.| 



Ap'.lCol.2dK. IJune20,'61 
l;i^i;;ued. l^FeVi. 26, '63. 
i \ ice Allen resigned.) Res. 
Removed Marcli 20, 1862. 
Appointed vice Collamore 



GOVERNOR'S MILITARY STAFF— 1SG3-1S65. 

HIS EXCELLENCY THOMAS CARNEY, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, 

January 12, isua, to January 9, 1S65. 



Office. 


Names. 


Rank. 


Appointed. 


Remarks. 




r Guilford Dudley. 


Brig.-Gen 


Feb. 27, 1863.1 


Re-'d with rank of Col. March 


Aujutant-Geneial.. 








2, 1864, under act of Feb. 24, 
1864; resigned May 2, 1864. 




IC. K.HoIUday... 
Edward Russell... 


Colonel.. . 


May 2, ISM.. 


Resigned March 31, 1865. 


Q.M. General 


Biig.-Gen 


March 3, 1863 


Re-'d with rank of Col. May 2, 










1864, under act Feb. 24, 1864. 


Paymaster-Gen. ... ^ 


ohnG. oti^ Toluhrl.. 'F.I.. in. is.r... 1 




Judge Advocate... 


O.V. I.imr , 1 ol 1.. l-.l, i:i, im;;;.. i 

(CIS. G. Inkier. < -l'ih"l.. r.'li. I:i, 1m;:i.. 

A. W.Sp.n.Miim 1 "1 1., l-.'ii. i:i. isi;:;.. 

S. M. Stn.-kliT ("l^n.'i.. F,.|,. i;.. isii:i.. 

f. V. l-:skri.l-.- 1 "iMiiri.. ivi.. ri.i.si;;!.. 

Jnsi:lll Miller 1 mImii.1.. |',.|,. i;.. Jsia. 
.!.(.■. llelliill;;lav. ( '. .lolL-l.. All-. 'Jl. Isa. 

Tlios. H. liiitler 1 'ilfiml.. s.pt. 1l'. l.siB 
1). Brnckwav,,.. Coluiiel . N,,\. lu, i.siB. , 


Lvp'd under act of May 7, 1S61. 


Aides-de-Camp.... 


J. A. .M ■GoliiL'le. l.ieiit. Ciil .M.ircll ■.>. 1.SG41 
F. H. Dreiiiiiii-. I.ieiit.( ul March j, ISW 
Jlio, li. Swallow Lieut, (mI Mairli j. LsiVl 
S. F. ,\tw..(Ml,.,, Lieut, < "! \piil j'l, isi;4 








Ap'd under act Feb. 24, 1864. 




W.G. Clawfcid., I.i.'ul, Col iirt, M. l.siu,. 


S'l aide ap. ser. d'g Price raid. 




A. S. llil-lle., l.i.MiLI olUrt, 1(1, lsi;4.. 


SI aide ap. ser. d g Price raid. 




W.Rosenthall Liont.rnKi.tlii, Hiu,, 


;S'l aide ap. ser. d'g Price raid. 




iJolin W. lln.uii 


Lieut. Co 


n.t. la. IsiH.. J 


!S1 aide ap. ser. d'g Price raid. 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



93 



OFFICERS FROM KANSAS, ABOVK THE RANK OF COLONEL, COMiMISSIONED 
BY THE PRESIDENT. 



MA.IOR-GENERAL. 



Name. 


Date of 
Commission. 


Eemaiks. 


James G. Blunt.... 


Nov. 29, 18C2... 


Honorably mustered out July 29, ises. 



BRIGADIER-GENERALS. 



Date of 
Commission. 



Robert B. Mitchell.. I April ,> 

James O. Blunt .\|iiil - 

Albert L. Lee N"\. _■ 

G. \V. Deitzler Xo\ . j 

Thomas Ennng, Jr.. Man li i:;. l.^ 



lua .Majo 



■'I nut .laniiary 15, 18GG. 
'Mi.-ial, November29, 1862, 



.Maroh 13; resigned Feb. 23, 1865. 



Powell Clayton |Aiigust 1, lSW.|Houorably mustered out August 24, 18G5. 



BREVET ERIG.4DIER-GENERALS. 



Names. 



Thomas M. Bowen. 

James M. Williams. 

Charles W.Blair.... 

Tliomas Moonlight.. 

Charles W. Adams.. 

Jcilin Ritcliie 

Sauiupl .!.( lawfi.rd 

.l.ihii A, .Maitiu 

.laniPS Ketiii'r 



George H. Hoyt 

William R. .Tudson . 
Echv'd F. SohuPider 

Samuel Walki-r 

Charles Mundee. ... 



Date of 
Commission. 



Feb. 13, 18G5. . 
Feb. 13, 1865. . 
Feb. 13, 1865.. 
Feb. 13, 18G5. . 
Feb. 13, 1865. . 



Colonel 1.3th Kas. Vol. Inf.; dismissed June 28. 18C5; rein- 
stated Nov. 22. l.si;.-,; hou. dis'd to date June 28, 1865. 
iColoiicl First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry; mus- 



llt llrtnhi 



I. IS 



itirntli Kansas Volunteer Cavalry; mustered 



Kir 



'eh 



L'l. I- 



nth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry; mustered 

.pni\ I,. Isi;.-). 

il rnrlith Kansas Volunteer Infantry; mustereil 

.lniii':;n. i.sc.-,. 
1 .^^'uihI 1,-,-illirnt lli.li:ili llniiiE-Ciianls. 



i.Marcli 1.;, i-. 
March 13, 18C5. 

.March 13, isi;.-,. 

.M.-irrh l:;. Iv.r, 






■:\ \ . 



Ililalil 



■ liif.iiitry. 
aiiy; nuistered 



out He. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Fifteenth Kansas Volunteer Cav- 
alry. 

Colonel Sixth Kansas \'olunteer Cavalrv. 

l.iciitPiiaut-( ..l,.ii. I ICiulitli Kansas VUliuiteer Cavalry. 

I,ip|il''ii,inl-c..l I Si\t...'iilli l\aii-.:is \'..lunteer Cav. 

M:(|i.l- aiiM Av-i^lanl .\.l |nt:iiit-l .riiiTal V. S. Volunteers. 



GOVERNOR'S MILITARY STAFF, 1865. 

HIS EXCELLENCV SAMUEL J. CRAWFORD, GOVERNOR AXD COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. INAU- 
GURATED JA.NUARV 9, 1865. 



Office. 


Name. 


Rank. 


Appointment. 


Remarks. 


Adjutant-Gcnrr.il.. 
Q. M (iiuiral 
Paymasti 1 i;ii]. 
Surgeon-General.. 

Aides-de-Camp .... 

.\sst. Ad.it.-Gen.. . . 


T.J. Au.liasnn . 
I>. K. I'.all.u.i 
.I..IU1 K. KankilJ. 
N. T. WiuaTis. . . 
1 Charles Dimond. 
■ Cyrus Leland, Jr. 

(E.G. Ross 

H. T. Beman 


rMJ,,ni|. 

I'uliillrl ' 
Lieut. I'd 
Lieut. Col 
Lieut. Cnl 
Major. 


.Vliriilii.'lsr,,-,. lApp-i 
Al.rillo.l.s,;.-,,, App'.l 
April 10. 1,s,;.-,. App-, 
April PI. 1M„-,. .\pi>d 


iiiiiS il iS- i^' Si 



r^ 



li:^ 



94 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



The Price raid and Curtis expedition cost the citizens of Kansas, 
besides the labor, loss of life, and such incidental losses as could not 
be computed, not less than half a million dollars. The Government 
was, of course, bound to reimburse them, so far as the losses could be 
established as valid claims growing out of the war in which the coun- 
try was then engaged. The Legislature of 1865 made provision for 
the assumption and payment of the claims by the State, looking to 
the general Government for reimbursemen'. Several successive com- 
missions have been appointed to settle all of these claims, but their 
adjustment has been attended with much difficulty, and it is probable 
that many of them will never be settled to the satisfaction of all con- 
cerned. 

The war was followed by Indian troubles in Kansas, from 1864 to 
1874, which were not terminated without much savage atrocity and 
the loss of many innocent lives. Men and children and women had 
been slain — many of the latter had suffered a fate worse than death. 
Even after all difficulties had apparently been adjusted by treaty in 
1868, the red men kept up desultory warfare in different localities, 
which did not cease until about ten years after the Civil War. 




9 V 



-^.J^ 



-^ 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



95 



CHAPTER Y. 



The Growth of Cities in the State— An Advocate of Kickapoo— 
"Cities" of the Past— Pawnee— Quindaro — Delaware— Sum- 
ner— Doniphan— Elwood—Otiiek "Cities on Paper"— Their In- 
fluential Projectors and Phomoters— Lecompton and Min- 
neola — The Cities of the Present— Kansas City — Topeka— 
Leavenworth — Fort Scott— Lawrence-Other Municipali- 
ties—The Centers of Trade and Finance and the Results of 
Energy and Well-Directed Effort. 




Our fathers nc.\t, in architecture skill'd, 
Cities for use, and torts for safety bull 
Then palaces and lofty domes arose; 
These for devolion, and for pleasure those.- 



-Blackmore. 



' V^ BOUT the middle of October, 1854, there were 
manj' passengtrs aboard the old-time steamer 
.'' "F. X. Aubrey," on her trip from St. Louis to 
\' Leavenworth. Among-them was Col. C. K. Hol- 
liday, the most prominent among the founders 
P^ and builders of the capital city of Kansas, who 
' '^ \^ made the acquaintance of an elderly gentle- 
man from Weston, Mo., who took a lively in- 
terest in Kansas, having already invested in the new Terri- 
tory, and determined to make it bis future home. Upon 
learning that Mr. Holliday was going to Kansas with a 
view to making a permanent settlement, this gentleman 
was kind enough to give him numerous, more or less valua- 
ble, hints and suggestions. ' ' Don" t make a mistake, young 
man," he said, "don't make a mistake. Near the great el- 
bow of the Missouri, there is bound to be built the greatest 
city of the continent, and that city, sir, is Kickapoo." Mr. Holliday 
suggested that he had heard much of Atchison, Leavenworth and 
Wyandotte, but he was quickly given to understand that if he wished 



-fe^ 



^1 




ll^r 



to grow up with and become part of a great city, he must locate at 
Kickapoo. If, however, he could not reconcile himself to living in a 
large commercial emporium like Kickapoo, he was advised to "stick 
his stakes" at Douglas or Tecumseh, both of which would surely be 
large interior cities, and one of which would doubtless be the capital. 

Strange as it may seem to-day, it is true that Kickapoo, situated on 
the Missouri River, some six or eight miles above Leavenworth, then 
aspired to be one of the great cities of the Territory, and hoped to be- 
come the greatest. And it is equally true that Tecumseh had similar 
aspirations of becoming the largest interior city, and not without 
reason, for Tecumseh came within one vote of being made the capital 
by the first Legislative Assembly, and would doubtless have secured 
the location, had not the personal interests of a majority of the mem- 
bers influenced them to make the location at Lecompton. The import- 
ance of these cities was fully recognized by the Legislative Assembly, 
however, in that it established the county seat of Leavenworth County 
at Kickapoo, of Douglas County at Douglas, and of Shawnee County at 
Tecumseh. Nor would the friends of these respective cities for a 
moment concede that Leavenworth could ever successfully compete 
with Kickapoo, nor Lawrence with Douglas, nor Topeka, not even 
founded in the initial period of this history, with Tecumseh. 

Pawnee should not be overlooked in an account of these early Ter- 
ritorial cities. It was situated upon a beautiful plateau on the north 
bank of the Kansas River, about a mile east of Fort Riley, and was 
planted there by a number of prominent gentlemen, most of them from 
Pennsylvania, who were supposed to be quite near to, and have much 
influence with, the administrative authority of the Territory. Their 
hopes for Pawnee soared high above the hopes of the friends of Kicka- 
poo, Douglas or Tecumseh. At this place the first Legislative As- 
sembly was convened, and it was hoped that an act would speedily be 
passed making Pawnee the permanent capital. But the political tires 
which swept and devastated the Territory for the next three years had 
already been kindled. The Assembly, therefore, did not only not 
make Pawnee the capital, but refused to do any business whatever 
there other than to organize, and then adjourn to the Shawnee Mis- 
sion, where the remainder of its session was held. A large and sub- 
stantial stone building was erected, by private means, in which the two 
houses of the assembly might hold their sessions, and other buildings 
were brought into existence for the accommodation of the officers and 
members. Upon investigation, however, it was ascertained that Paw- 



* ^ 

^ 



nee was located upon the Fort Riley military reservation. This was 
construed as an invasion of the reserved territory ot the United States; 
and upon the facts being made known at Washington, the President 
ordered the army to expel the citizens, and, if need be, to bombard and 
destroy the city. The city was ever afterward known, until it passed 
from the recollections of the people, as "Pawnee-on-the- Reserve. " 

In these modern days, when one wishes to express in the superlative 
degree any great movement in trade, in manufacture, in real estate, in 
the rapid growth of cities, it is called a "boom." The biggest boom 
that Kansas ever had in the city line took place in 1857 and 1858. 
The causes of this movement were too numerous to be enumerated in 
detail. Principally, however, a great panic was prevailing in the 
Eastern States, and the many persons failing there strove to place the 
remnants saved from the wrecks of their fortunes where they would 
best escape the vigilance of creditors and at the same time be most 
remunerative. Kansas having been extensively advertised through its 
"Border Ruffian" troubles, and by the Buchanan-Fremont campaign 
of 1856, peace being at last assured, and large bodies of valuable pub- 
lic lands being offered for sale, the rush of people to the Territory 
was most extraordinary. Unlike those who came in the three pre- 
ceding years, those who came in 1857 were possessed of considerable 
means. The result was that both lands and city lots, especially the 
latter, were in the greatest demand. All sales were made for cash. 
The older and really more substantial cities and towns having been 
sold and resold, and the demand being still unsupplied, new towns or 
cities — everything was a city then — were being daily organized, sur- 
veyed, platted and sold. Lots, or groups of lots, were seldom sold. 
The plan was almost universal to issue certificates of shares in the 
new city and sell the certificates. The city would be divitled into 
from 100 to 400 or 500 shares — according to its size and the sanguine 
temper of its founders — and each share would represent from two to 
twenty lots. The avidity with which these shares were bought was 
something startling. The standard average price for city shares was 
§500 each, some favorites, of course, commanding more, others, 
perhaps, less. 

It was not merely the new comers who were so enthusiastic and so 
completely lost self-control in this city's movements, but the old set- 
tlers were equally affected and as easily carried along by the tide of 
speculation. Many who had valuable properties in the old and well 
established towns, such as Leavenworth, Wyandotte. Lawrence, Tope- 



■^ 



98 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



ka and others, sold the same and with the proceeds bought certificates 
of shares in the new cities. In Shawnee County, alone, were the 
cities of Avoca, Canema, Essex. Daj'ton and Kansopolis, whose lots 
to-day are doubtless parts of cornfield or orchard, and whose sites the 
oldest inhabitants would try in vain to determine. Quindaro, Dela- 
ware, Sumner, Doniphan, Palermo and Elwood were six of the most 
prominent of these cities, and they were organized almost simultane- 
ously, and their early progress was most extraordinary. Large hotels 
and fine business blocks and valuable stocks of goods could be found 
at each, and the population of each increased with astonishing rapidity, 
especially when the sparseness with which the Territory was then set- 
tled is taken into consideration. Perhaps their great prosperity is 
not to be marveled at when we consider who were the founders or 
early champions of these cities. The most distinguished citizen of 
the Territory at that time, and afterward governor of the common- 
wealth, a man foremost in Kansas throughout nearly all its history, 
was among the leading spirits at Quindaro. A lieutenant-governor 
and many others of distinction championed the prosperity of Dela- 
ware. A gentleman of wide literary fame, who has since honored 
both his State and nation upon the floor of the United States Senate, 
was the special friend of Sumner. A great military chieftain of the 
Territorial days, and afterward a distinguished senator in Congress, 
was the leader in the enterprise at Doniphan. Gentlemen of almost 
equal prominence and ability were directing afFairs at .Palermo. But 
it was reserved for Elwood to be especially blessed with a list of 
names as its founders and friends, of which any city might be proud; 
one, afterward often honored by his friends with a seat in the State 
Legislature and other -civil offices; another, afterward a high literary 
authority and an accomplished State officer; another, afterward a dis 
tinguished general in the Union army, and subsequently holding high 
positions in the civil service at New Orleans; another, afterward the 
leading citizen of a neighboring State, a millionaire and a member of 
the United States Senate; and still another, greater than all, who af- 
terward held many civil offices, then was governor of the State, and 
more recently envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to 
a powerful but friendly empire. Yet, notwithstanding all this great 
array of talent and eminence, the fates seemed to be against these 
cities. Their boom continued only a year or two, and it would now 
be difficult to determine even the sites of some of them. Quindaro 
was located three miles above Wyandotte; Delaware about half way 

^ g' • js ^ 



betweea Wyandotte and Leavenworth; Sumner four or five miles be- 
low Atchison; Doniphan as many miles above Atchison; El wood im- 
mediately opposite St. Joseph, Mo. ; and Palermo about midway be 
tween Elwood and Doniphan. 

Two great causes contributed to bring about the collapse of these 
cities. First, being located but a few miles apart, along the Missouri 
River, which already had upon its banks the prosperous cities of At- 
chison, Leavenworth and Wyandotte, they necessarily became rivals 
and greatly antagonized each other's interests; second, they were un- 
questionably far in advance of the times. The business of the Terri- 
tory, with its small population, could not sustain so many important 
places crowded into such close proximity. Viewed from the standpoint 
of to-day, and with all the disastrous results presented, it is a matter 
of supreme regret that the great talents employed and the large means 
expended in the attempt to plant so many antagonistic cities on the 
eastern border of the State were not combined to build one really 
great, magnificent city within the State limits, a city capable of evok- 
ing the largest State pride, at which the commercial and financial busi- 
ness of the State might be transacted, and whose wealth would aug- 
ment and aggrandize the wealth of all Kansas. 

Two other cities of the Territorial period claim the attention of the 
historian—Lecompton and Minneola. Both of these cities had the 
loftiest aspirations, each striving to be the greatest political center — 
the capital of Kansas. Nor were these aspirations by any means 
groundless, for Lecompton was chosen as the capital by the first Leg- 
islative Assembly, or what was known as the " Border Ruiflan Assem- 
bly," while Minneola was chosen as the capital by the Free-State 
Legislative Assembly, at its first regular session. Soon after the first 
of these locations, Congress made an appropriation of $50,000, with 
which to erect a capitol building at Lecompton, which sum was duly 
expended for that purpose. After Kansas became a State one of the 
first acts of Gov. Robinson was to sell that capitol building at public 
auctioa, and so little were capitol buildings in demand at that time, 
the net proceeds of the sale is stated to have been only $216. At 
Minneola a large building was erected for capitol purposes by private 
enterprise, and good hotels for the accommodation of members of As- 
sembly, Territorial ofticers, and others, but they were doomed never to 
be occupied for such purposes. The Legislative Assembly which located 
the capital at Minneola also provided for a constitutional convention 
to assemble at the same place. It met, but refused to entertain any 



fV 



D^ 



100 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



motion or transact any business other than to organize and adjourn to 
Leavenworth, where the constitution designated by that name was 
framed. The fortunes of both Lecompton and Minneola as capitals 
were plainly discerned from the beginning. The political revolution 
thus taking place sealed the fate of the former. Minneola was largely 
owned by the members of the Assembly which located the capital 
there. This savored too much of jobbery to be tolerated by the peo- 
ple. Besides, it was forestalling the judgment of the people upon a 
subject very near the popular heart, and the people became indignant. 
The intensity of the feeling aroused upon this subject is indicated by 
a circumstance which occurred in the council during the consideration 
of the bill locating the capital at Minneola. One of the members 
opposed to the location said: "I have to say to the friends of this 
measure that, appropriating the language of Mr. Webster, ' The light- 
ning has its power, the tempest has its power, the earthquake has its 
power, but there is something more powerful than the lightning and 
the tempest and the earthquake combined, and that is public opinion; ' 
and public oj)inion will brand this outrage as a swindle and its jserpe- 
trators as swindlers! You are flattering yourselves that you are locat- 
ing a capital. It is a mistake; it will prove to be simply a graveyard, 
in which every member who votes for this bill will be politically 
buried! " The prediction was almost literally fulfilled, for but few of 
those that voted for the "Minneola Swindle," as it was afterward 
called, were ever again entrusted by the people with public confidence 
or public places. 

This much for the cities of 1854 and the cities of 1857 — the cities 
that never materialized. The cities of the present are all known 
throughout the commonwealth, many of them throughout the Union, 
some of them throughout the world. Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita, 
Fort Scott, Leavenworth, Lawrence, Atchison, Ottawa, Arkansas City, 
Emporia, Winfield, Wellington, Newton, Manhattan, Junction City, 
Salina, Great Bend, Hutchinson, Dodge City, Garden City and numer- 
ous other municipalities would exhaust both the painter and the poet to 
portray them in their substantial glory. What the jewels are to the 
crown, what the stars are to the firmament, so are the cities of Kansas 
to its broad and splendid domain. These cities are the result of 
energy, forethought and well-directed enterprise. They represent 
what is manly and strong in the character of Kansans — what is in- 
vincible by the dragons in the way of progress. They show, more 
unmistakably than any other thing — so plainly that "he who runs may 



^IV 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 101 



read" — the material prosperity of the sunflower seats. Among the 
cities of the State, large and small, not mentioned above, are Par- 
sons, Pittsburg, El Dorado, Clay Centre, Abilene, McPherson, Con- 
cordia, Osage City, Kingman, Olathe, Chanute, Independence, Ar- 
gentine, Horton, Minneapolis, Larned, Paola, Girard, Marysville, 
Beloit, Lyons, Holton, Oswego, Council Grove, Marion, Chetopa, Hia- 
watha, Cherryvale, Seneca, Ellsworth, Nickerson, Burlington, Weir 
City, Rosedale, Columbus, Harper, Coffeyville, Burlingame, Galena, 
Washington, Eureka, Anthony, Sterling, Caldwell, Garnett, Yates Cen- 
ter, Wamego, Greensburg, Florence, Norton, lola, Scranton, Fre- 
donia, Augusta, Baxter Springs, Humboldt, Peabody, Belleville, Her- 
ington, Stockton, Erie, Lindsborg, Clyde, Osage Mission, Osborne, 
Oberlin, Lincoln, Howard, Coldwater, Valley Falls, Phillipsburg, 
Downs, Kirwin, Baldwin City, Labetha, Pleasanton, Cawker City, 
Halstead, Neodesha, Mankato, Cherokee," Russell, La Cygne, Strong 
City, Kinsley, Elk City and Blue Rapids. 

In 1860 there were only ten towns and cities in Kansas having a 
population in excess of 500 each, only three having over 1,000 each, 
and only one having 5,000 inhabitants. In 1880 ninety-nine towns 
each had a population in excess of 500, fifty-iive towns and cities had 
each over 1,000, six had each over 5,000, and three had over 15,000 
each. In 1885 each of 154 towns had over 500 population, ninety- 
one towns and cities had each over 1 ,000, twelve had each over 5, 000, 
six had each over 10,000, four had each over 15,000, and two had 
more than 20,000 each. March 1, 1889, there were in the State eight 
cities, containing a population of from 10,000 to 36,000 each, and 
twenty-eight cities, each containing a population of 2,500 or upward, 
and sixty-five cities, each containing a population of 1,000 or up- 
ward. The incorporated cities, as well as the villages and hamlets, 
throughout the State are growing rapidly, and during the past few 
years, they have nearly all gained steadily in population and commer- 
cial importance. In very few instances did the census enumeration 
of 1890 show a smaller population than was claimed by the residents 
of the different towns. There are 625 post-offices in the State. 



*^m^* 



vis — ^ ^i=7fv 



A 



-4- 



102 



HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



CHAPTER YI. 



The Bench and Bar of Kansas— Under the Territorial Govern- 
ment—Under THE State Government— The .supkeme Court- 
District Courts— Composition of Districts— The Judiciary- 
Two Distinguished Chief Justices— High Standing of the Bar 
of the State. 




Pity is the virtue of the law, 

And none hut tyrants use it cruelly. 

***** 
We must not make a scare-crow of the \a,w.—Shakspeare. 

,/ :^^ 

XRESIDENT pierce, as early as June, 1854, 
made judicial appoiDtments for the Territory 
of Kansas. During the Territorial period, 
Samuel D. Lecompte, of Maryland, and John 
Pettit, of Indiana, held the position of chief 
justice of the Territorial courts: Saunders W. 
iji^^ Johnston, of Ohio, Eush Elmore, of Alabama, 
i\ JeiemiahM. Burrill, of Pennsylvania, Sterling 

G. Cato, of Alabama, Thomas Cunningham, of Pennsyl- 
vania, and Joseph Williams, of Iowa, were associate jus- 
tices. When Kansas became a State, the court consisted 
of Judges Pettit, Elmore and Williams. Israel B. Don- 
alson, of Illinois, was the first United States marshal; 
Andrevy Jackson Isacks, of Louisiana, was the first United 
'ii States district attorney, and James Findlay, of Pennsyl- 
vania, was appointed clerk. February 26, 1855, Gov. 
Eeeder divided the Territory into three judicial districts; 
the first was assigned to Chief Justice Lecompte, the courts to be 
held at Leavenworth; the second to Judge Elmore, with courts at 
Tecumseh; the third to Judge Johnston, with courts at Pawnee. 
August 31, 1855, Charles H. Grover, H. A. Hutchinson and John T. 
Brady were commissioned as district attorneys, resjjeetively, for the 



^i 



First, Second and Third Districts. In 1858 Alson C. Davis became 
United States district attorney; E. S. Dennis, Isaac Winston, Philip 
T. Colby and William P. Fain were United States marshals. Andrew 
J. Rudigue, E. Noel Eccleston, James R. Whitehead and Laomi Mc- 
Arthur, were among the last of the clerks of the Territorial courts. 

Marcus J. Parrott, Thomas B. Sykes and John Martin held the 
position of reporters of the court. The first attorneys admitted to 
practice in the Territorial court were Edmund Byerly, James Chris- 
tian. Marcus J. Parrott and Richard R. Rees. 

P. Sidney Post, of Wyandotte, and Richard Henry Weightman, of 
Atchison, were appointed United States commissioners under the pro- 
visions of the fugitive slave act of 1850. 

By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved February 27, 1860, 
there were three judicial districts defined, with the times and places for 
holding therein the several courts. The division of the Territory into 
districts and the judges for the courts are presented in the following: 
The counties of Doniphan, Atchison, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Wyandotte 
and Arapahoe constituted the First District, to which Chief Justice John 
Pettit was assigned. Section 10 of said act reads as follows: " The 
whole of the Delaware Indian reservation is hereby attached to the 
First Judicial District for judicial purposes, as well as all the Indian 
Territory lying and being within the boundary of Arapahoe County." 
The county of Arapahoe was attached to the county of Leavenworth 
for judicial purposes, except that in the county of Arapahoe the process 
of subpojna issuing from Leavenworth County shall have no force or 
effect if served in said Arapahoe County. (This county embraced the 
Pike's Peak region, which becime the prominent portion of Colorado, 
with Denver as an objective point. ) 

Excepting nine counties in the eastern tiers, the remaining portion 
of the Territory was in the Second District, to which Rush Elmore, 
associate justice of the Supreme Court, was assigned. Provisions were 
made for holding courts at Burlington, Emporia, Council Grove, Junc- 
tion City, Marysville, Hiawatha, Holton, Topeka and Lawrence. The 
counties of Osage, Woodson, Wilson, Greenwood, Godfrey (now Elk 
and Chautauqua), Butler, Hunter (now Cowley), Chase, Marion, Sa- 
line. Dickinson, Clay, Washington, Riley, Wabaunsee, Pottawatomie 
and Nemaha were attached to their adjoining most contiguous counties 
for judicial purposes. The Pottawatomie, Kaw, Otoe, Chippewa and 
Ottawa, and Sac and Fox and Kickapoo Indian reservations were at- 
tached to this judicial district. 



*^ 



Ml 



u^ 



104 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



The counties of Johoson, Miami, Linn, Bourbon, Cherokee, Neosho, 
Allen, Anderson and Franklin constituted the Third District, and As- 
sociate Justice Joseph Williams was assigned to it. For judicial pur- 
poses Cherokee County was attached to Bourbon ; Dorn to Allen, and the 
New York Indian reservation was attached to this district for judicial 
purposes. In Section 9 of this act, it was provided ' ' Where a county 
is attached to another for judicial purposes, the jurisdiction of the 
county to which it is attached shall be as if it formed a part thereof, 
unless the county attached has its own organization and officers." 

When Kansas donned the robes of Statehood, its constitution or- 
dained, as now, that the judicial power should be vested in the Supreme 
Court, district courts, probate courts, justice's courts, and such 
other courts inferior to the Sujjreme Court as might be providedby law. 
The Supreme Court consisted then, as now, of one chief justice and 
two associate justices, whose term of office after the first was six years. 

At the election of the State officers, held December 6, 1859, under 
the Wyandotte Constitution, the Supreme judges chosen were as fol- 
lows: Thomas Ewing. Jr., chief justice, term sis years; Samuel A. 
Kingman, associate justice, four years; Lawrence D. Bailey, asso- 
ciate justice, two years. 

Under the Wyandotte Constitution, five judicial districts were 
formed, and at the first election under it, December 6, 1859, judges 
were chosen. Wyandotte, Leavenworth, Jefferson and Jackson Coun- 
ties constituted the First District, and William C. McDowell was 
elected judge. The counties of the Second Judicial District were 
Atchison, Doniphan, Brown, Nemaha, Marshall and Washington. 
The counties of Washington, Republic and Shirley (now Cloud) were 
attached to Marshall for judicial purposes. Albert J. Lee was the 
first judge. The counties of Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Pottawatomie, 
Riley, Davis, Dickinson and Clay constituted the Third District. Clay, 
Dickinson, Ottawa and Saline were attached to Davis fur judicial 
purposes. Jacob Safford was its first judge. Douglas. Johnson, 
Lykins (now Miami), Franklin, Anderson, Linn, Bourbon and Allen 
Counties made the original territory of the Fourth District. Solon O. 
Thacher was the first judge of the district. The original territory of 
the Fifth District was the counties of Osage, Breckenridge, Morris, 
Chase, Madison, Coffey, Woodson, Greenwood, Butler and Hunter, 
and the unorganized counties in the "southwest." E. O. Leonard 
was the first judge. 

By subsequent changes and by the creation of new districts, the 



s "V 




state now has thirty-live judicial districts, constituted, respectively, of 
the counties named: 1 — Leavenworth, Jefferson, Jackson; 2 — Atchi- 
son; 3 — Shawnee; 4 — Anderson, Franklin, Douglas; 5 — Lyon, Coffey; 
6 — Linn, Bourbon and Crawford; 7 — Woodson, Allen, Neosho, Wil- 
son; 8 — Dickinson, Davis, Morris; 9 — Reno, Harvey; 10 — Johnson, 
Miami; 11 — Cherokee, Labette, Montgomery; 12 — Cloud, Republic, 
Washington; 13 — Elk, Chautauqua, Cowley; 14 — Lincoln, Russell, Ells- 
worth; 15 — Mitchell, Osborne, Jewell, Smith; 1(3 — Pawnee, Edwards, 
Hodgman, Garfield; 17 — Phillips, Norton, Rawlins, Decatur, Cheyenne; 
18— Sedgwick; 19— Sumner; 20— Rice, Stafford, Barton; 21— Marshall, 
Riley, Clay; 22— Doniphan, Brown, Nemaha; 23 — Ellis, Trego, Gove, 
Logan, Wallace ; 24 — Harper, Barber; 25 — Chase, McPherson, Marion; 
26 — Butler, Greenwood; 27 — Ford, Gray, Finney, Kearney, Hamilton; 
28— Kingman, Pratt, Kiowa; 29— Wyandotte; 30— Ottawa, Saline; 
31 — Comanche, Clark, Meade; 32 — Stevens, Seward, Morton, Has- 
kell, Grant, Stanton; 33— Rush, Ness, Lane, Scott, Wichita, Greeley; 
34 — Rooks, Graham, Sheridan, Thomas, Sherman; 35 — Pottawatomie, 
Wabaunsee, Osage. 

The judges of the district court in the several judicial districts, in 
1890, were the following: 1 — Hon. Robert Crozier, of Leavenworth; 
2 — Hon. Robert M. Eaton, of Atchison; 3 — Hon. John Guthrie, of 
Topeka; 4— Hon. A. W. Benson, of Ottawa; 5 — Hon. Charles B. 
Graves, of Emporia; 6 — Hon. C. O. French, of Fort Scott; 7 — Hon. 
L. Still well, of Erie; 8 — Hon. M. B. Nicholson, of Council Grove; 
9 — Hon. L. Houk, of Hutchinson; 10 — Hon. J. P. Hindman, of 
Olathe; 11— Hon. John N. Ritter, of Columbus; 12— Hon. F. W. 
Sturges, of Concordia; 13— Hon. M. G. Troup, of Wintield; 14— 
Hon. W. G. Eastland, of Russell; 15 — Hon. Cyrus Keren, of Os- 
borne; 16 — Hon. J. C. Strang, of Larned; 17 — Hon. G. W. Berkran, 
of Oberlin; 18— Hon. C. Reed, of Wichita; 19— Hon. J. T. Herrick, of 
Wellington; 20— Hon. Ansel R. Clark, of Sterling; 21— Hon. Robert 
B. Spilman, of Manhattan; 22— Hon. R. C. Bassett, of Seneca; 23— 
Hon. S. J. Osborn, of WaKeeney; 24— Hon. C. W. Ellis, of Medicine 
Lodge; 25— Hon. Frank Doster, of Marion; 26 — Hon. C. A. De Land, 
of El Dorado; 27— Hon. A. J. Abbott, of Garden City; 28— Hon. S. 
W. Leslie, of Kingman; 29— Hon. O. L. Miller, of Wyandotte; 80— 
Hon. R. F. Thompson, of Minneapolis; 31 — Hon. Francis C. Price, of 
Ashland; 32— Hon. Theodore Botkin, of Springfield; 33— Hon. V. H. 
Grinstead, of Dighton; 34 — Hon. Charles W. Smith, of Stockton; 
35 — Hon. William Thomson, of Osage City. 



106 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



March 8, 1861, Archibald Williams, of Illiaois, was appointed 
United States district judge for Kansas. He died in September, 
1863, and was succeeded by Mark W. Delahay. He resigned his 
position March 3, 1873. Cassius G. Foster was appointed March 10, 
1873, and is still the incumbent. The clerk is Joseph C. Wilson. 

The United States district court is held at Topeka, Leavenworth 
and Wichita. At the latter point cases arising in the Indian Terri- 
tory are heard. 

The United States circuit court is held alternately in Leavenworth 
and Topeka. The judge is Hon. H. C. Caldwell; the clerk, George 
F. Sheritt. 

Hon. W. C. Perry, of Fort Scott, is United States district attor- 
ney; Hon. L. E. Walker, of Topeka, is United States marshal. 

Two courts of record, not specifically named in the constitution, 
have been created by legislative enactment since the admission of 
Kansas as a State, viz., the criminal court of Leavenworth County, 
and the superior court of Shawnee County. The criminal court of 
Leavenworth County, established March, 1802, had conferred upon it 
the same criminal jurisdiction that had been conferred upon the dis- 
trict court of that county. The probate judge of the county was 
ex-officio the judge of the court. This court was abolished March 18, 
1875. During its existence the following persons were the judges: 
Hon. D. J. Brewer, Hon. Peter McFarland, Hon. Barzillai Gray and 
Hon. Byron Sherry. The superior court of Shawnee County was 
created by the Legislature, March 7, 1885, for two years; Gov. John 
A. Martin appointed Hon. W. C. Webb presiding judge. 

Of the persons who have served as the chief justices of the Su- 
preme Court it is safe to say, with full appreciation of the abilities of 
others, that Hon. Thomas Ewing, Jr., and Hon. Samuel A. Kingman 
are pre-eminent. The members of the judiciary of Kansas have been 
as learned, able, faithful, fearless and upright as the judges of any 
State in the Union. Several of them who have filled and some who 
are now filling judicial positions are known as men of brilliant abili- 
ties and superior legal attainments. The ermine of Kansas has not 
often been tainted or stained. If now and then a weak, vacillating or 
unworthy judge has been chosen, he has been speedily retired. 

The bar of Kansas ranks with that of any of her sister States. 
Its members have many of them achieved the greatest triumphs in 
the highest courts, and not a few of them have attained to high stand- 
ing in affairs of State and national interest. 



9 "V 



^1 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



107 



CHAPTER YII. 



General Accoukt of Eeligious Denominations— The Pre-Terki- 
TORiAL Era— The Territorial Era- The War Era— The Ei:a 
OF Peace and Prosperity — Facts and Statistics of Growth- 
Characteristics OF THE Churches of Kansas. 




V. 



Ml 



True Christiaaity depends ou fact; 

Religion is not theory but act. — Waller Harle. 



ISSIONARY enterprises were vigorously 
prosecuted on this soil among tbe Indian 
tiibes by several denominations of Chris- 
tians in the pre Territorial era (prior to 
ISS-t). The Baptists established amis- 
sion among the Shawnees in 1831; the 
station was about four miles from the 
^ouii River, in the present county of Wyandotte. 
The hi st pi lilting press ever on Kansas soil was brought 
by Mr. Jotham Meeker, in 1833, for a Baptist mis- 
sion located near the present city of Ottawa. The 
Catholics started a mission among the Osage Indians 
in 1827, near the present site of Osage Mission. The 
Methodist Episcopal Church began its work among 
-1^' tS' ^- ^^^ Delawares and Shawnees, on the south side of the 
jji^ Kansas River, and it organized the first church among 

* them in 1832, Rev. Thomas Johnson having established 

a school in 1829. The Presbyterians founded their first mission in Kan- 
sas, in 1835, among the Wea Indians, who lived near the site of Ottawa. 
In 1837 a mission was founded by them for the benefit of the lowas, 
near what is now Highland, Doniphan County. The Society of Friends 
started a school, and held meetings among the Shawnees in Johnson 
County, soon after the removal of the tribe to Kansas. Schools and 
churches were organized by the Moravians, and perhaps by other 
bodies of Christian people. 



epV 



108 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



The fierce political and border strifes, which made up the history 
of the Territorial era from 1854 to 1861, were unfavorable to the 
planting and nurture of churches; yet, during this period, foundations 
were laid by various denominations, in order to meet the needs of the 
people, and especially in anticipation of the prospective settlement of 
the Territory. The Baptists organized in June, 1855, and their first 
house of worship was built at Atchison. The first Catholic congrega- 
tion of white people was organized in Leavenworth, August 15, 1855. 
Their first building for the use of a white congregation was erected in 
the same place in the same year. The first church organized by the 
Congregationalists was at Lawrence, in October, 1854 — perhaps the 
first white man's church in the Territory. Their first church edifice 
was built at that place in 1857. The Protestant Episcopal Church 
began its work at Leavenworth in 1856, and its first church edifice 
was erected there in 1858. The first Evangelical Lutheran organiza- 
tion was effected at Leavenworth, October 25, 1855. The house of 
worship was built in the summer preceding the organization, and it 
was probably the first building in Kansas for church purposes, outside 
of Indian missions and Government forts. Rev. W. H. Goode, pre- 
siding elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church, preached in a log 
cabin at Hickory Point, on the Santa Fe road, July 9, 1854, Rev. A. 
Still, Rev. J. M. Chivington, and Mr. Meadenhall, a missionary of 
the Society of Friends, being present and participating in the services 
— proV^ably the first sermon to white settlers in the State. The first 
church building was erected in Lawrence in 1856, and the same year 
a small slab church was built in Leavenworth. The first church for 
whites was organized near Tecumseh by Rev. Mr. Goode. The first 
session of the Kansas and Nebraska conference was held in a tent in 
Lawrence, commencing October 23, 1856. The Presbyterians organ- 
ized their first church January 1, 1856, at Leavenworth. The United 
Presbyterians made their first organization at Berea, Franklin County, 
in 1857, and their first church was erected at that place in 1858. The 
Society of Friends held meetings on Fall Creek, near its mouth at 
Stranger Creek, in Leavenworth County, about February 15, 1856. 
They met in the cabins of settlers until the spring of 1857, when a 
log house was erected, which gave place to a good frame building in 
September, 1859. The German Methodists were organized in 1860, 
in Dickinson County, and the German Lutherans in 1861 at Leaven- 
worth. Before the admission of the State, several other demonina- 
tions had made beginnings in the way of organization. 



"71^ 



^c 



4^ 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 109 



The state of Kansas had beea a member of the Union but seventy- 
four days when the assault on Fort Sumter began. The war that fol- 
lowed almost wholly engrossed the interest and the energies of the 
people. For four years a very large portion of the able-bodied men 
of the State were in the Union service. Probably the effect of war 
upon general church work is fairly represented by the following re- 
poi't. made by the Methodist Church for the years indicated: Number 
of ministers in 1860, eighty-five; in 1861, seventy-four; in 1862, 
seventy two; in 1863, sixty-eight. Number of churches in 1860, 
seventeen; in 1861, forty-three; in 1862, thirty; in 1863, thirty-three. 
The Territorial era and the war era, embracing a period of eleven 
years, brought to the church builders of Kansas, in common with 
other citizens, trials and sacrifices as heavy as any that have ever fal- 
len on any people on this continent since the days of Jamestown and 
Plymouth, and the trials and sacrifices were met by all — women as 
well as men — with a spirit of patience and heroism surpassed by 
nothing in the annals of the world. 

The current of immigration that began to flow into Kansas after 
the close of the war contained from the first a very large per cent of 
persons who had been members of churches, and also of those who, 
though not communicants, were decidedly favorable to the establish- 
ment of churches. The natural result was speedily realized. 
Churches and Sunday-schools sjarang rapidly into existence. The 
good work was prosecuted not only in the larger towns and villages, 
l)ut throughout the country districts and in sparsely settled regions. 
Wherever the hardy pioneer built his claim shanty or sod house, there 
the congregation was gathered and services were held. Of course 
the denominations that were early on the ground sought vigorously to 
reap the benefits of their priority, and those who came later were not 
wanting in energy and zeal. Since the war, most of the religious 
sects known elsewhere in the countr}' have been at work in the State, 
each according to its chosen and accustomed methods. Their work has 
been successful in the highest degree. Even if full and complete 
figures representing results were accessible, they would very inade- 
quately show the best products of Christian effort, since, of necessity, 
these can neither be counted nor estimated. An important feature in 
the work has been the active interest taken in it by considerable bodies 
of intelligent foreign- born citizens, notably Germans, Swedes, Nor- 
wegians, French and Welsh. There were in Kansas in 1888, 2.994 
church organizations, having an aggregate membership of 280,458, 



"^i 



^ 



■^ 



110 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



and 1,755 houses of worship. The aggregate value of church prop- 
erty was $5,387,497. The census of 1890 shows a gratifying increase 
in the above statistics. The roll of churches in the State contains 
the following denominational names, and perhaps others should be 
added: Adventist, African Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Catholic, 
Congregational, Christian, Protestant Episcopal, Free Methodist, So- 
ciety of Friends, German Lutheran, German Methodist Episcopal, 
Evangelical Lutheran, Hebrew, Methodist Episcopal, New Jerusalem, 
Presbyterian, United Presbyterian, Swedish Baptist, Cumberland 
Presbyterian, Swedish Lutheran, Unitarian, United Brethren, Univer- 
salist, Wesleyan Methodist. Many congregations made up of colored 
people are included in the reports presented by the denominations to 
which they are respectivelj' attached. 

The churches of Kansas are characterized by a spirit of liberal 
propagandism. Denominational bigotry is at a minimum. The high- 
est degree of fraternity characterizes the various denominations and 
their ministers in their intercourse with each other. The great body 
of Christians believe in freedom of belief and of unbelief, in freedom 
of discussion, in freedom of worship and in the sf)iritual responsibil- 
ity of each man to his God alone ; their motto is, ' ' In things essen- 
tial, unity; in things doubtful, liberty; in all things, charity. 






^^ 



J,_ 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Ill 



CHAPTER YIII. 



Historical Sketch of State EducationaL Institutions and affairs 
—Value OF Public Education— Pioneer Schools-Tiie Schools 
UNDER the Territorial Okganization— Territorial Superin- 
tendents OF Public Instruction— The Schools in 1860— The 
Public School System of To-day— Successive State Superin- 
tendents OF Public Instruction— State Jjormal Schools— The 
State Aguicultukal College— University of the State of 
Kansas— How the Common Schools Are Maintained-Statistics 
—Denominational Educational Institutions. 



Schoolmasters will I keep within my house 

Fit to instruct her youth. To cunning men 

I will be very kind: and liberal 

To mine own children, in good bringing up.Shakspeare. 



/HERE the largest provisions have been made for 
^\ elementary schools and higher institations 

iV of learning, civilization has reached its 
^ highest standard. The nineteenth century 
fjo witnesses the highest civilization the world 
has ever known. In Kansas, civilization has 
I, ' made as splendid achievements as in any State 
Union. No more striking argument can be found in 
favor of popular education by the State than the one based 
upon a comparison of the cost of police force (standing 
armies), and the maintenance of public schools. Servia, 
with a population little larger than that of Kansas, pays for 
her standing army, 82,072,890 per annum. Greece, with 
less than 2,000,000 people, pays for her soldiers $3,312,140. 
Norway pays $1,628,440, and Bolivia, $2, 148,000. The popu- 
lation of the countries cited, exceed but very little the popula- 
tion of Kansas which pays nothing directly and very little indirectly for 
the support of an armv, but has paid more than $5,000,000 in a year for 





k. 



r^ 



J^'" — ^ -" — "t^^ 



the education of its children. Intelligence always governs ignorance 
and can and does govern itself. The schools of Kansas are part of 
her very strneture. They began with her life, and have grown with 
her growth, and have been woven into all her history. The planting 
of schools was not an incident nor an afterthought, but a part of the 
original purpose of her first settlers. Schools sprang up almost be- 
fore there were children to attend them, Lawrence was settled in 
September, 1854, and in less than four months — January 2, 1855 — a 
school was opened by Mr. E. J. Fitch, of Massachusetts, March 7, 
1857, the "Quincy High School" was established. Topeka was set- 
tled late in November, 1854, and early the next summer a school was 
opened by Miss Sarah Harland, and the " Topeka Academy " was es- 
tablished January 2, 1856. What happened in these two places was 
repeated in one form or another in every town and hamlet in the Ter- 
ritory. These were all voluntary movements, as there were yet no 
provisions of law to aid in the matter; but they sprang from the 
same popular convictions which afterward created the public school 
system, and were prophetic of what was coming. 

Kansas Territory having been organized May 30, 1854, its first 
Territorial Legislature passed the school law August 30, 1855, and 
from that date the history of the public school system of Kansas 
properly began. The law of February 12, 1858, provided that the 
governor should appoint during that session of the Legislative Assem- 
bly, by and with the advice of the council, a Territorial superintendent, 
whose term of ofQce should commence March 1, 1858. This was 
amended by the law of 1859, which made the superintendent elective 
annually. The following named gentlemen served as superintendents : 
James H. Noteware served from March 5 to December 2, 1858; Sam- 
uel W. Greer from December 2, 1858, to January 7, 1861 ; John C. 
Douglas from January 7, 1861, until April 10, 1861, Kansas then 
having completed the organization of her State government. 

Superintendent Greer presented a report to the Legislature Jan- 
uary 4, 1860, which embraced returns from sixteen counties and 222 
school districts. The county of Douglas led, having thirty -six organ- 
ized school districts, Osage ten. There were 7,029 persons of school 
age ranging between the years of five and twenty-one. The amount 
of money raised to build school-houses was $7,045.23; amount of 
money raised by private subscriptions, $6,883.50; amount of piiblic 
money for schools, $6,283.50. 

The laws of 1858 provided for the appointment of a county super- 



;f^ 




iutendent by the tribunal transacting county business, and the same 
law provided for an election of a county superintendent, to be elected 
at the same time, place and manner that county officers are chosen, the 
term to commence on October 1, and continue one year. The duties 
of Territorial superintendents and county superintendents were de- 
fined under the Territorial laws. Township trustees, during the latter 
period of the Territorial regime, performed sundry duties that before 
had come within the domain of the superintendent's office. The 
board of county commissioners, by the law of 1855, formed the dis- 
tricts in accordance with petitions pi'esented, that were signed by a 
majority of the voters residing within the limits of any contemplated 
district. By the law of 1858 this duty was relegated to the county 
superintendent. The law of 1859 provided that "each organized 
township in the county shall be an original school district, until the 
same shall be divided into separate districts by the county superin- 
tendent." By the school law of 1855 the affairs of each district 
were managed by three trustees and one inspector. Under the law of 
1858 the board consisted of a director, clerk and treasurer. 

The Wyandotte constitution, under which the State was admitted, 
provides that the Legislature shall establish " a uniform system of 
common schools, and schools of higher grade, embracing normal, pre- 
paratory, collegiate and university departments." In accordance 
with this constitutional provision the Legislature has, at different times, 
passed laws looking to the development of a complete system of 
schools, and these laws have been carried out by the school officials 
elected under them. These laws provide for a State superintendent 
of public instruction, who shall supervise the schools of the State, and 
for county superintendents, who shall supervise the schools of the 
counties. The following have been incumbents of the office of State 
superintendent since the State was organized: William R. Griffith, 
from April 10 to February 12, 1862; S. M. Thorp, from March, 1862, 
to January, 1863; Isaac T. Goodnow, from January, 1863, to Jan- 
uary, 1807; Peter Mc Vicar, from January, 1867, to January, 1871; 
H. D. McCarty, from January, 1871, to January, 1875; John Fraser, 
from January, 1875, to January, 1877; Allen B. Lemmon, from Jan- 
uary, 1877, to January, 1881; Henry C. Speer, from January, 1881, 
to January, 1885. 

The State has been divided into school districts small enough to 
make a school accessible to all the children. Every district is encour- 
aged to sustain a school at least three months in the year, and every 



^1 



k. 



ll-t HISTOBY OF KANSAS. 



parent is required, by a law passed in 1874, to send his children to 
school at least twelve weeks in each year during the school age, under 
a penalty for disobeying its injunctions. Cities and the larger towns 
are authorized to establish graded schools, including primary, gram- 
mar and high-school departments. Every child may secure, not only 
the rudiments of learning, but a good English and business education, 
and also prepare for further education in higher institutions of learning. 

Beyond the common schools there have been established schools of 
a higher grade and for special study. At Emporia is the State Nor- 
mal School (opened in 1864), for training teachers. It was founded 
by a grant of nearly 40,000 acres of land, which is being sold to es- 
tablish a fund for its support. It has a small endowment, but is doing 
a grand and growing work, and it is to be hoped that the Legislature 
will hereafter supplement its endowment by appropriations equal to 
its opportunity. It employs about a dozen professors, and has an at- 
tendance of about 600 students. The Leavenworth Normal School 
was opened in 1870, and closed in 1876. Tbe Concordia Normal 
School existed from 1874 <o 1878. 

The State Agricultural College at Manhattan was permanently lo- 
cated by legislative enactment February 16, 1863, and its board of 
regents held their first meeting July 'I'S, 1863, and educational work 
commenced September 2, 1863. Its four departments were, agri- 
culture, mechanic arts, military science and tactics, literature and 
science. This institution is based on a Congressional grant of 82,000 
acres of land. The sale of these lands has been admirably man- 
aged and has produced a permanent fund of about half a million dollars. 
The college is doing a grand service in elevating the industries of 
the State. It employs twelve instructors and assistants and seven 
superintendents of different branches of industry, and gives instruction 
to more than 400 students. 

The act of the Legislature that organized the University of the 
State of Kansas, at Lawrence, took effect March 1, 1866. The uni- 
versity is designed to give to all citizens the opportunity for profes- 
sional study, and for the pursuit of all branches of higher learning. 
It employs some twenty instructors and assistants and has an attend- 
ance of about 500 students. Its government is vested in a board of 
regents, consisting of a president and twelve members appointed by 
the governor. The first session opened September 12, 1866. 

The maintenance of the common schools is both State and local. 
The act of Congress admitting the State set apart the sixteenth and 



<^ — rzn^ l^-^ 

HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 115 



thirty-sixth sections of each township for school purposes, ag- 
gregating nearly 3,000,000 acres of land, which it has been esti- 
mated can be made to yield a permanent school fund of $15,000,000. 
The fund is increasing rapidly. It is invested in good securities, and the 
interest is apportioned among the districts. But the main dependence 
of the common schools is the local tax which districts impose upon them- 
selves. The tax now assumed by districts is many times greater 
than the amount given by the State. The growth of the school sys- 
tem has so exactly kept step with the growth of the State as to show 
that it is a part of its very life. The reports of the first two or three 
years of the State history were so incomplete that they afford no fair 
basis of comparison. But we may take the report of 1866 and 
measure the subsequent growth with a good degree of accuracy. 
Then the school population of the State was S-t, 725; now it is 532,- 
010. The number of children earolled in the schools was 31,528; 
now it is 403,351. The number of teachers employed was then 1,086; 
now it is 11,310. The amount paid then for teachers' salaries 
was $115,924; now it is $2,677,513. The value of school property 
was then $318,897; the value now is $8,608,202. The whole amount 
expended for public schools was $253,926; this sum has been in- 
creased to $5,265,613.86. There were 703 school-houses in 1$67; 
the number at this time is 8,196. 

Besides the State schools and several private institutions, there are 
in Kansas some thirty colleges and universities, mainly under denom- 
inational conti"ol. These denominational institutions report an aver- 
age yearly attendance of more than 4,000 pupils, and buildings and 
other property valued at $1,700,000. 



mMm 






r^ 



-4^ 



116 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



CHAPTER IX. 



Growth and Development of Industries and Material Interests 
— A Brilliant Record— Railway Construction and Develoi>- 
ment— Agricitltural Progress— Manufacturing Enterprise- 
Statistics and Prospects— Character of Population— Succes- 
sive Aggregates. 



All happy pe.ice and goodly goveniraetit 

Is settled there in sure establishment.— >'\pe««er. 



LiVVERY ruled the country thirty-six years ago, 
but Kansas, from this standpoint, has been the 
Athene of the American States. Fearing that the 
birth of new States in the West would rob it of 
A/li^i^^'^^lt^WK. "supremacy, the slave power swallowed the Mis- 
'^^^3'^^3KIM>* souri Compromise, which had dedicated the North- 
west to Freedom. The industrious North, aroused 
and indignant, struck quick and hard, and Kansas, 
full aimed, shouting the war-cry of Liberty, and 
neived with invincible courage, sprang into the Union. 
She at once assumed a high place among the States. 
She was the deadly enemy of slavery. The war 
over, she became the patron, as she had been during 
its continuance the exemplar, of heroism, and a hundred 
thousand soldiers of the Union found homes within the 
shelter of her embracing arms. The agriculturist and the 
mechanic were charmed by her ample resources and in- 
spired by her eager enterprise. Education found in her a generous 
patron, and to literature, art and science she has been a steadfast friend. 
Her pure atmosphere invigorated all. A desert disfigured the map of the 
continent, and she covered it with fields of golden wheat and tasseling 
coi-n. She has made the home of the poor man safe. She has ex- 
tended to women the protection of generous laws and of enlarged op- 




^ 



9 \ 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 117 



portunities for usefulness. In war she was valiant and indomitable, 
and in peace she has been intelligent, energetic, progressive and enter- 
prising. 

In 1864 Kansas had not a mile of completed railroad. In 1870 it 
had 1,283 miles; in 1875, more than 1,887; in 1S80, an aggregate of 
more than 3, 104 miles. Up to November 1, 1886, there had been 
built, of main line and branches, excluding side-tracks, 5,323 miles. 
There were added by new construction 3,476 miles, making the total 
mileage completed up to January 1, 1889 (since when there are no 
obtainable statistics), 8,799 miles. The following is a statement of the 
different companies operating railroads in Kansas, and the number of 
miles operated by each within the State: Atchison, Topeka & Santa 
Fe Railroad Company, 2,586.84; Burlington & Missouri River, in 
Nebraska, 259.15; Chicago, Kansas & Nebraska, 1,055.70; Dodge 
City, Montezuma & Trinidad, 51; Kansas City, Fort Scott & Mem- 
phis, 256.90; Kansas City, Clinton & Springfield, 23.10; Kansas 
City, Wyandotte & Northwestern, 157; Kansas City & Pacific, 125; 
Missouri Pacific, 2,179; Missouri, Kansas & Texas, 254; St. Joseph 
& Grand Island, 138; .St. Louis & San Francisco, 437.84; Union 
Pacific, 1,151.23; Wichita & Western, 124.40. There is one mile of 
railroad to each nine and one-third square miles of territory in the State; 
five and one-half miles to each 1,000 population — doubtless a larger 
ratio of railroad mileage to population than exists anywhere else, in 
any country. 

Kansas is an agricultural State. It has not gold or silver, but it 
has coal enough for fuel. It is the farmer's and stockman's State. 
Its development simply shows what good old "mother earth," when 
in her happiest vein, can do. Agriculture is the most certain source 
of strength, wealth and independence. Commerce, in all emergen- 
cies, looks to agriculture, both for defense and for supply. The 
growth and prosperity of Kansas offer a striking illustration of what 
intelligent farmers, with a productive soil and a genial climate for 
their workshop, can accomplish, what wealth they can create, what 
enterprise they can stimulate. The following figures show the value 
of farm products in the State, for 1887 and 1888, combined, ranked 
in the order of importance as indicated by the value of each: Corn, 
$79,232,372; animals, slaughtered and sold for slaughter, 160,426.55; 
oats, $24,703,152; wheat, $17,857,264; prairie hay, $17,697,141; 
value of increase in live stock, $17,059,661; Irish potatoes, $12, 118.- 
36; butter, 18,782,248; millet and hungarian, $8,732,418; sorghum, 



V^ 



:A 



118 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



$4,900,744; tame hay. $4,787,646; poultry and eggs sold, $3,563,180; 
broom com, $2,430,834; flax, $2,396,830; rye, $2,170,867; garden 
products marketed, $1,968,180; horticultural products marketed, 
$1,418,258; sweet potatoes, $1,090,623; milk sold, 11,050,988; wool, 
$885,424; castor beans, $487,441; wood marketed, $470,736; wine, 
$299,577; barley, $206,141; cheese, $112,780; buckwheat, $87,874; 
cotton, $84,380; honey and beeswax, $836.37; tobacco, $77,940; hemp, 
$19,810. 

Kansas is not distinctively a manufacturing State. Its prosperity 
is based upon the plow. It has, however, coal deposits equal to the 
needs of its population; valuable lead mines, and salt and gypsum in 
abundance. But the manufacturing establisments of the State are 
steadily increasing in importance as well as in number. In 1860 it 
had 344 establishments with a capital of $1,084,935, employing 1,735 
hands, and turning out products valued at $4,357,408. In 1890 there 
were reported to the State Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics 
627 establishments, with a capital of $29,367,080, employing 14,477 
hands, and turning out products valued at $51,442,801. There are in 
the State about 150 fiouring-mills, with a capital employed of $7,000,- 
000. The immense smelting works of Kansas are claimed to be the 
largest in the world. It is said that the annual product of the one 
gold and silver smelter is $18,000,000. It produces one-fifth of all 
the silver and one fifth of all the lead smelted in the United States. 
Five hundred men are employed and the wages paid them average 
higher than those paid by any other manufacturing institution in the 
United States. Beef and pork packing-houses, on an extensive scale, 
and requiring large capital for their operation, are carried on at sev- 
eral points in the State. It is the opinion of practical men who have 
given the matter careful study, that there are many lines of manufact- 
ures that may be profitably conducted in Kansas, and that sound policy 
requires not only diversified agriculture — the growth of a large variety 
of crops — but for the same reasons diversified industry — the turning 
of laljor and capital into a great variety of channels. A mighty agri- 
cultural State promotes the wealth and independence of its citizens by 
the judicious establishment of manufactures. It is certain that the 
manufacturing interest will make a larger figure in Kansas history in 
the future than it has done in the past. An industry now being de- 
veloped is the production of sorghum sugar. Although in the experi- 
mental stage, it is developed far enough to demonstrate that sugar can 
be manufactured from sorghum at a profit; and, further, that Kansas 






is the best adapted for the production of sorghum cane for the manu- 
facture of sugar of any Stale in the Union, and will, in a few years, 
be a great sugar-producing State. 

Society in Kansas is much like that to be found elsewhere. There 
are good, "medium and bad people, such as will be found on any other 
portion of the globe. As a whole the people have less distinctive local 
characteristics than usually are seen in other States. The people are 
a mixture of all countries and all States, the New England element 
predominating. The generation born in the State reminds one much 
of the men who settled New England. The young Kansan is a repro- 
duction of the stern, silent, unflinching Puritan, who landed at Plym- 
outh Rock two and a half centuries ago, thoroughly westernized; the 
most American of the types of men our country has produced. The 
population in 1860 was 105,000; 1865, 137,000; 1870,360,000; 1875, 
509,000; 1880, 996,000; 1885, 1,147,000. In 1890 it surpassed the 
most sanguine expectations of the most enthusiastic well-wisher in the 
State. 



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120 



HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



CHAPTER X. 



Distinguished Men of Kansas Past and Present— Short Biograph- 
ical Sketches of Celebrities Whose Names Have Come to be 
Household Words— Gov. Lyman U. Humphrey— Senator John 
J. Ingalls— The First Territorial Governor— The First State 
Governor— The Famous "Jim" Lane— Gov. Crawford— United 
States District Attorney Hallowell— Kansas' First Demo- 
cratic Executive — Senator Preston B. Plumb— "Ottawa" 
Jones — Chief Justice Horton — A Well-Remembered State 
Printer— The First Chief Ju.stice— The Champion OF THE "Home- 
stead Law"— Prof. Mudge— Col. Anthony— Judge Brewer— 
Gov. Meuj.vry. 




YMAN U. HUMPHREY present goyernor of 
Kansas, elected in 1888, was born in Stark 
County, Ohio, July 25, 1844, and served as 
lieutenant-governor before attaining to his 
present eminence. He left school at the age 
of seventeen to enlist in Company 1, Seventy- 
sixth Ohio Volunteers. His war record is a 
one, and he was promoted to first lieutenant, 
and for a time served as adjutant of his regiment. On 
retiring from the army, he entered Mount Union Col- 
lege, but shortly afterward became a student in the law 
department of the University of Michigan. In 1868 he 
was admitted to practice law in the several courts of Ohio, 
but soon afterward emigrated to Shelby County, Mo., 
where for a time he helped to edit the Shelby County 
Herald, a Republican paper. On arriving in Kansas, he 
opened a law office in Independence, and was one of the 
founders of the Independence Tribune. In 1871 he was nominated 
as the Republican candidate for the House of Representatives from 
Montgomery County, but was defeated. In 1876 he was again nomi- 
nated, in a district that had hitherto sent Democratic members, and 



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HISTORY OF KANSAS. 121 



elected. In 1877 he was nominated by the State Republican Central 
Committee, to fill a vacancy in the office of lieutenant-governor, with- 
out his knowledge, and in 1878 was re- nominated by the Republican 
State Convention for the succeeding full term, and elected by a ma- 
jority of over 40,000 over his Democratic opponent. His subsequent 
political career is well known. He was married at Independence, 
Kas., December 25, 1872, to Miss Amanda Leonard. Gov. Humphrey 
has contributed much toward the building of churches, and has been 
the friend of all religious enterprises. He is an effective public speaker, 
and an able editor. In person he is of commanding appearance and 
fine address. He has given much attention to literary subjects, is a 
great reader, and has a large library of standard works. 

United States Senator John J. Ingalls was born at Middleton, 
Mass., December 29, 1833; graduated from Williams College in the 
class of 1855; was admitted to the bar in 1857; removed to Kansas in 
October, 1858; was a member of the Wyandotte Constitutional Conven- 
tion in 1859; was secretary of the Territorial Council in 1860, and of 
the State Senate in 1861; was a member of the State Senate of Kansas 
from Atchison County in 1862; editor of the Atchison Champion in 
1863, 1864 and 1865; was defeated as anti-Lane candidate for lieu- 
tenant-governor in 1862, and again in 1864; was elected to the United 
States Senate, as a Republican, to succeed S. C. Pomeroy, and took 
his seat March 4, 1873, and was re-elected in 1879 and 1885. His 
term of service will expire March 3, 1891. Senator Ingalls was the 
son of Elias Theodore and Eliza (Chase) Ingalls, and on his father's 
side was descended from Edmund Ingalls, a Puritan, who emigrated 
from Yorkshire, England, in 1628, and, with his brother, Francis, 
founded the city of Lynn, Mass. , in 1629. Mr. Ingalls was married, Sep- 
tember 27, 1865, at Atchison, Kas., to Miss Anna Louise Chesebrough, 
daughter of a prominent merchant. He is a Free Mason. During the 
war he was judge advocate and aid to Gen. George Deitzler of the 
Kansas Volunteers. He participated in the battles of Westport, Lex- 
ington and Independence, during the Price raid in 1864. He has 
always been radical, was an Abolitionist and " John Brown Repub- 
lican " in 1859, and cast his first vote for Fremont in 1856. Senator 
Ingalls takes high rank among the ablest of American statesmen — a 
man eminent for his literary attainments and distinguished as an 
orator. 

Andrew H. Reeder, first governor of the Territory of Kansas, was 
born at Easton, Penn., July 12, 1807 He received an academical edu- L 

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122 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



cation at Lawrenceville, N. J., studied law and entered upon the prac- 
tice of his profession at Easton, where he rose to local eminence. 
He was married in 1831 to Amelia Hutter, of Easton, who died 
August 16, 1878. Only those who remember the excitement following 
the passage of the "Kansas and Nebraska Act," will be able to ap- 
preciate the responsibility attaching to Mr. Reeder' s appointment as 
Territorial governor. The story of his stormy administration is told 
in every history of the State. Those were days that tried other souls 
than his. Time has vindicated him, and his memory is honored. His 
escape from Kansas has furnished a theme for many a writer, and its 
dangers, adventures and excitements have been narrated from every 
conceivable point of view. After countless perils, he reached Illinois, 
May 27, 1850. His arrival in the free State occasioned the wildest 
excitement and enthusiasm. As he journeyed toward the East, at 
every principal town he was detained, and great crowds of people 
assembled to see him, to welcome him and to promise him protection 
from any attempt to return him to the Territory. The courage and 
skill with which Gov. Reeder had first withstood and then es- 
caped from the mobs of his enemies, caused him to be the hero of the 
hour in the North. At the close of the Fremont campaign, into 
which he entered heartily, he returned to the practice of his profes- 
sion at Easton. In 1860 he was a prominent candidate before the 
Republican convention for the vice-presidency. At the outbreak of 
the Rebellion, he was appointed brigadier-general by President Lin- 
coln. Not having been bred a soldier, he declined the appointment, 
publicly expressing the opinion that at his time of life, no man had a 
right to learn a new trade or profession, at the possible expense of 
the lives of other men. He promptly offered his services to the Gov- 
ernment, however, in any other capacity in which they could be made 
available, and was employed in various important services, not strictly 
military, during the war. His death occurred, after a short illness, 
at Easton, July 5, 1864. His memory should be revered by every 
citizen of Kansas as that of an honest and fearless magistrate, who 
gave to every duty his best intelligence and effort, and who, in trying 
times, was willing to risk life, if need be, rather than permit the per- 
petration of a wrong to the infant Territory over which he had charge. 
Charles Robinson, the first governor of the State of Kansas, was 
born at Hardwick, Worcester County, Mass., July 21, 1818. He be- 
came a physician, and at one time had for a partner Dr. J. G. Hol- 
land ("Timothy Titcomb"). In 1819, soon after the gold discoveries 



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HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



123 



iu California, he set out for the uewly-discovereJ El Dorado, being 
surgeon of one of the early pioneer parties of California emigrants. 
On his arrival in California, after a short time spent in prospecting 
and mining, he settled, as near as the times and the surroundings 
would permit, at Sacramento, and there opened an eating-house. 
Trouble soon broke out between the squatters and a set of later spec- 
ulative comers who coveted their claims. The former held their claims 
under the United States pre-emption laws theu in force, and elsewhere 
in the country universally observed; the speculators claimed title to 
the entire site of the embryo city by virtue of purchase from Capt. 
Sutter, who held a Mexican- Spanish title to 99,000 square miles of 
California land, the boundaries or location of which had never been 
surveyed or defined. The contest for possession, after vain endeavors 
on the part of the squatters to await the decision of the courts, cul- 
minated in an open war for possession on the one side and ejectment 
on the other. Dr. Robinson became the adviser and acknowledged 
leader of the squatters in their contest for their rights. The "squat- 
ter riots," as they were termed, resulted in several serious encounters, 
in which many were wounded and a few lost their lives. The most 
serious conflict resulted in the death of the mayor of Sacramento, on 
the one side, and the dangerous wounding of Robinson, on t'he other. 
Robinson, while still suffering from his wounds, was indicted for mur- 
der, assault with intent to kill, and conspiracy, and held a prisoner, pend- 
ing his trial, for ten weeks aboard a prison-ship. He was tried before 
the district court at Sacramento, and acquitted. During his imprison- 
ment he was nominated and elected to the California Legislature from 
the Sacramento district. He took a leading part iu the legislative pro- 
ceedings of the succeeding session, and was one of the prominent sup- 
porters of John C. Fremont, who was elected as United States senator 
during the session. On his return to Sacramento, he published a daily 
Free-soil paper a short time. July 1, 1851, he left California and set 
sail for " the States. " He reached his home in Fitchburg late in the fall 
of 1851, and there resumed the practice of medicine, which he continued 
until 185-t with great success. About the time of the organization of 
the Emigrant Aid Society, he published a series of letters concerning the 
Kansas country through which he had passed in 1819, which awak- 
ened a widespread interest in the unknown land, and drew the atten- 
tion of the managers of the organization to the writer as an indispen- 
sable agent for the practical execution of the proposed work of select- 
ing homes for Free-State emigrants, and otherwise carrying out the 



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124 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



opeoly-avowed object of the society to make Kansas a free State under 
the conditions which the Kmisas-Nebraska bill had prescribed. He 
thus became one of the first heralds of free- State emigration to Kan- 
sas, and designated to the society as the best objective point for a Free- 
State settlement in the Territory the land that lay along the bottoms of 
the Kansas River, near Lawrence. There the first party pitched their 
tents, and there Robinson made his own home September 6, 1854, at 
which time he with his family arrived; he being, with S. C. Pomeroy, 
the conductor of the second party of New England emigrants — it being 
the first made up of families who came for bona fide settlement. He 
chose his home on Mount Oread. He was the first governor chosen 
under the Topeka Constitution, and the first commander-in-chief of the 
Free-State militia. He held the organization with a skill and wisdom 
peculiarly his own, as a final place of refuge for the Free-State men of 
Kansas, until, with growing strength, they could transform it into a 
valid form of government under the forms of law. The Wyandotte 
Constitution, under the forced recognition of Congress, having been 
adopted, he was, under its provisions, chosen the first governor of the 
free State of Kansas, and, in that position, organized under the laws 
the military forces upon a war basis for the final struggle, in which 
Kansas troops won fresh laurels and imperishable renown. For the 
cause of freedom in Kansas he sufPered imprisonment, destruction of 
property, defamation of character, and all the minor annoyances which 
hatred of merit, political ambition, or internecine party strife could 
engender. 

The date and place of the birth of Gen. James H. Lane are to-daj- 
in doubt. Holloway's History of Kansas disposes of the question of 
his birth and parentage as follows: "Gen. James H Lane was born 
June 22, 1814, on the banks of the Ohio, in Boone County, Ky. His 
father, Amos Lane, cousin of Joseph Lane, of Oregon, was an emi- 
nent lawyer and a member of Congress. James' mother, who was a 
woman of superior intellectual and moral qualifications, superintended 
his early education. Always restive and unable to confine himself to 
books, he attained but the rudiments of school learning, even under 
the excellent tutorship of his mother." For a short time in his early 
manhood he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and did a small business 
in pork-packing in Lawrenceburg, Ind. In 1843 he began the study 
of law, and after a short course, was admitted to practice. In 1846, 
on the breaking-out of the M3xican War, he volunteered as a private 
and raised a company of men, of which he was elected captain. The 



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HISTORY OF KANSAS. 125 



company was assigued to tlie Third Regiment Indiana Volunteers, of 
which he was made colonel. His regiment, under his leadership, did 
honorable and distinguished service throughout the campaign of Gen. 
Taylor. At the expiration of its term of service, one year, he returned 
with his regiment, and was authorized to re-organize it for further 
service in the field, which he did, and it was mustered again into the 
service as th9 Fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteers. The speedy close 
of the war prevented it from winning further laurels in the field, after 
its re-organization. Soon after the close of the war and his return 
home, he was elected lieutenant-governor (1849), and before his term 
of office had expired (1852), he was elected as a member of Congress 
from the Fourth Congressional District of Indiana. He was also 
chosen one of the electors at large for Franklin Pierce as President, 
during the same year. During the exciting debates which preceded 
the passage of the Nebraska Bill, and which developed the highest 
forensic and argumentative ability. Col. Lane did not rise above medioc- 
rity, although an ardent advocate of the bill, which he supported by 
his votes through all its stages to its final passage. The passage of 
the bill rendered the re-election of most Northern Democrats, who had 
voted for it, extremely doubtful. Under the circumstances, Lane did 
not choose to hazard defeat at the hands of his late constituents, but 
determined at once to pat in an early appearance in Kansas, there be- 
come one of the organizers of his party, and its leader in the future 
State. He arrived in April, 1855, and settled on a claim adjoining 
Lawrence, which continued to be his home up to the time of his death. 
His claim cost the life of Gaius Jenkins, who contested it, and whom 
Lane shot dead June 3, 1858, while he was violently attempting to 
enforce his right, in common, to a well on the disputed claim. Lane 
was acquitted before a justice of the peace, and as no indictment was 
found against him, his case never came to trial in a court of record. 
For some three months after his arrival in the Territory, with con- 
summate tact, he felt his way, taking no positive ground beyond the 
point of safe retreat. During the months of June and July, 1855, the 
preliminary conventions, which foreshadowed the organization of the 
Free-State party, were held in Lawrence. Lane took no part in them, 
but decided that the time had arrived for the organization of the 
Democratic party, in order to counteract the force of the growing 
movement, which, if not checked, might draw to it a multitude of 
Free-State Democrats, whom it was essential to retain in the National 
fold. With this end in view, a meeting was held in Lawrence on 



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HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



July 27, over which Col. Lane presided, and at which resolutions 
were passed, favoring the immediate organization of the Democratic 
party on " truly National ground, and pledging the participants in 
the meeting to use all honorable exertions to secure such result " The 
proceedings received no countenance from the great majority of Kan- 
sas Democrats, and the Democratic press, most intensely pro-slavery, 
decried the movement. Lane at once saw the futility of further 
efforts in that direction. With wonderful discrimination, tact and 
cunning, he decided to cast his lot with the Free-State movement, and 
win there the distinction he coveted. All paths to the Senate seemed 
alike to him until his choice was made; once made, he consistently 
and faithfully defended the newly espoused cause through evil and 
good repute, only vacillating temporarily to catch the ever-varying 
tide of popular favor. He became the acknowledged leader of the 
most radical Free- State men, often rousing them, by his rough elo- 
quence, to such a furor of excitement as to lead to most serious appre- 
hension, that through over zeal, without discretion, the cause would 
fail. He was chosen president of the Free State Territorial Commit- 
tee before the formation of the Topeka State government, and, under 
it, when formed, he was elected United States Senator. All through 
the years that followed, he was the recognized leader of the aggressive 
fighting Free State men, who, under his inspiration and the prestige 
of his name, more than his deeds, met the border ruffians in their 
chosen mode of aggressive warfare of words and deeds, giving abuse 
for abuse, threat for threat, robbery for robbery, murder for murder, 
and accepting the open wage of battle whenever offered. The State 
being, after the long struggle, admitted as a free State, James H. 
Lane was elected a member of the United States Senate by the first 
State Legislature, in 186L The Rebellion having broken out, he or- 
ganized a brigade and commanded it for several months as a brigadier- 
general, before he held such a commission. He was subsequently 
appointed to that rank. His somewhat irregular, but quite charac- 
teristic, method of raising troops on his own responsibility, and regard- 
less of the prescribed modes and methods of the State government, 
led to serious disagreement, and an open rupture between him and 
Gov. Carney, which resulted in much ill feeling; the Governor refus- 
ing to appoint such officers to command as Lane and his troops de- 
sired. In 1863 he received from the United States Government an 
independent recruiting commission, as recruiting commissioner for 
the Department of Kansas, and, under its authority, raised five regi- 



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ments of infantry, one of which was of blacks, and was claimed to be 
the first colored regiment put in the field. In 1804-0t3 he was re- 
elected to the United States Senate, and on taking his seat, took sides 
with President Johnson in the open rupture which occurred between 
him and the Republicans on the Freedman's Bureau and Civil Rights 
Bill. He thought he saw the popular tide drifting that way, and with 
his accustomed alacrity, he anticipated what he believed would prove 
the popular sentiment of the people. For once he was deceived. He 
visited his home in Kansas early in June, 1866. He was met coldly 
by nearly all his old friends and followers, who had, up to this 
time, given him an unquestioning and unqualified support, stopping 
a little short of homage. He saw the scepter of his power irrep- 
arably broken. He was no longer the autocrat of political affairs 
in Kansas. He could not brook the change, and without delay, set 
out on his return to Washington. He was debilitated in physical 
health, and in the depths of despondency. His mental condition 
rapidly grew worse, and, on his arrival at St. Louis, it was deemed 
imprudent to continue the journey farther, as his delirium was such 
as presaged the worst form of insanity. Juno 29 he returned, and 
stopped with his brother-in-law, Capt. McCall, at the Government 
farm, near Leavenworth. July 1 he committed suicide. The cause 
of his rash act is attributable, doubtless, in a great measure, to his 
intense disappointment, humiliation and grief, consequent on the 
desertion of his friends. He was buried at Lawrence. Col. Lane 
was married to Miss Baldridge, in Lawrenceburg, Ind.. in 1843. 
They had three children — a son (Lieut. James H. Lane, of the 
United States army) and two daughters. 

Samuel J. Crawford, third governor of the State of Kansas, was 
born in Lawrence County, Ind., April 15, 1835. His early life was 
spent on a farm, and his early education acquired in the district 
schools of the neighborhood. By apjslication and unwearied indus- 
try, young Crawford had studied law sufficiently to gain an admission 
to the Indiana bar at the age of twenty-one years. Continuing his 
studies, he entered the law school of Cincinnati College in 1858, and 
directly after graduating from that institution, came to Kansas, and 
commenced practice at Garnett City, Anderson County. Mr. Craw- 
ford was elected a member of the first Kansas State Legislature, which 
convened at Topeka, March, 1861, but resigned his seat in May, and 
returned to Garnett to organize a company of volunteers for the pend- 
ing war. He was chosen captain of the company, and a few days 



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later assigned to the Second Kansas Volunteer Infantry, Col. Robert 
B. Mitchell. In July, the Second went into active service in Missouri, 
participated in the campaign under Gen. Lyon, and won enviable dis- 
tinction in the hard fought battle of Wilson's Creek, August 10, 
1861. The Second was mustered out in October, 1861, Capt. Craw- 
ford being retained in the service. On the reorganization of the 
Second, as cavalry, he was assigned to the command of a battalion, 
and took part in the battles fought by the " Army of the Frontier," 
in 1862-63, having command of the regiment from May, 1863, until 
November of the same year, when he took command of the Second 
Kansas Colored Regiment, and with his command participated in the 
Camden expedition under Gen. Steele. He led the expedition from 
Fort Smith through the Indian country, in July, 1864, and in Octo- 
ber of the same year took part in the campaign against Gen. Price in 
Missouri. He was elected governor of Kansas, in November, 1864, 
resigned his commission in December, and was inaugurated January 
9, 1865. He was re-elected in the fall of 1868, and served until 
November 4, 1868, when he resigned to take command of the Nine- 
teenth Kansas Cavalry Regiment, which was raised to fight the Indi- 
ans on the plains. At the close of the campaign, Gov. Crawford re- 
sumed the practice of his profession, locating in Emporia, Lyon 
County. He was afterward State claim agent, with headquarters at 
Washington, D. C, where he attended to the interests of Kansas in 
the matter of the claims of the State for expenses incurred in repell- 
ing invasion and Indian hostilities on its border. 

Hon. James R. Hallowell, long familiar as Vnited States district 
attorney, came to Kansas and located at Columbus, May 17, 1869, 
since which time he has been continuously engaged in the practice of 
law. Since his residence in the State he has served two terms in the 
House of Representatives, and four years as State Senator. He was 
also, for three years, member of the board of regents of the Agricult- 
ural College at Manhattan, being appointed United States district 
attorney in June, 1879. Mr. Hallowell was born in Montgomery 
County, Penn., December 27, 1842. When a youth of six or seven 
years, his father moved to Indiana, in which State James R. received 
his general and legal education, attending Asbury University, at 
Greencastle, and reading law with P. M. Rice, of Rockville. April 
11, 1861, he enlisted in Lew Wallace's Zouave Regiment, Eleventh 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, being mustered in on the 17th of the 
same luonth, for three months' service. At the expiration of his term 



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HISTORY OF KANSAS. 129 



lie re-enlisted in Company I, Thirty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry; 
was promoted immediately to first lieutenant; June, 1864, to major; 
the following day to lieutenant-colonel, having previously served as 
adjutant of the brigade, and October, 1864, to colonel of the regiment. 
He was mustered out January 16, 1S66, and returned to Indiana, where 
he remained until his removal to Kansas. He was married in Mont- 
gomery County, Ind., November 28, 1871, to Samantha H. Montgom- 
ery, of that county. They have one son, named Montgomery. 

The first Democratic governor ever elected in Kansas, Hon. George 
W. Glick, was inaugurated on January 8, 1883. He was born at 
Greencastle, Fairfield County, Ohio, July 4, 1827. On the paternal 
side, he is of German descent. Henry Glick, his great grandfather, 
was one of five brothers, who left their beautiful Rhine in the ante- 
Revolutionary "War period, and settled in Pennsylvania, all of them 
being soldiers in the War of the Revolution. George Glick, the 
grandfather of the governor, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and 
was severely wounded in the battle of Fort Meigs. Isaac Glick, Gov. 
Click's father, resided at Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio, a promi- 
nent farmer and stock- raiser, who for three consecutive terms held 
the office of treasurer of Sandusky County. George Sanders, his grand- 
father on the maternal side, was of Scotch origin. He was a captain 
in the War of 1812, and bore the marks of his bravery in bodily 
wounds of a serious nature. Mary (Sanders) Glick, his mother, was 
a lady of high culture. George W. Glick was a studious boy. His 
scholastic attainments embraced a good knowledge of the higher 
mathematics, and of the languages, which substantial superstructure 
enabled him to become a "man of afPairs," and to succeed in his gen- 
eral undertakings. The family removed to Lower Sandusky (now 
Fremont), when George was five years of age, and after completing 
his school education, he entered the law ofiice of the firm of Buckland 
(Ralph P.) and Hayes (Rutherford B. ), studying there two years 
He was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
having passed a thorough examination in connection with the Cincin 
nati Law School students. He began the practice of law at Fremont, 
and soon acquired the fame of a conscientious, painstaking, Indus 
trious lawyer, which secured him a large practice at Fremont, and 
later at Sandusky City, where his residence was prior to coming to 
Kansas. The Congressional convention of the Democratic party of his 
district placed him in nomination for Congress in 1858, but he de- 
clined the honor in presence of the convention, but later accepted the 



Ar — ^ 

130 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



nomination for State Senator, his preceptor, Mr. Biickland, being bis op- 
ponent. Though defeated, he ran nearly 2,000 votes ahead of his party 
ticket. He was elected jndge advocate-general of the Second Regiment 
of the Seventeenth Division of the Ohio Militia, with the rank of colonel, 
and commissioned by Gov. Salmon P. Chase. He came to Kansas late 
in 1858, located in Atchison, and entered npou the practice of law, asso- 
ciating himself with Hon. Alfred G. Otis, who was a man well versed 
in human jurisprudence, and who, as judge of the Second Judicial 
District from January, 1877, to January, 1881, won golden opinions 
as an administrator of justice. The firm of Otis & Glick lasted for 
fifteen years, Mr. Glick abandoning his lucrative practice in 1874, in 
consequence of a throat afPection. Mr. Glick was the Democratic 
candidate for judge of the Second Judicial District at the first election 
held under the Wyandotte Constitution, December 6, 1859. His vote 
was larger than that of any candidate on his ticket. He was elected 
a member of the Kansas House of Representatives from the city of 
Atchison in 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1867, 1875 and 1880. In the Legis- 
lative sessions of 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1868 and 1881 he was a mem- 
ber of the judiciary committee, and was made chairman of the same 
in 1865, 1866 and 1868, by the Rej^ublican speakers of the House, Hon. 
Jacob Stotler, Hon. JohnT. BurrisandHon. Preston B. Plumb. He was 
on the ways and means committee in the session of 1864; on the 
State library committee in 1868; on the committees on assessment 
and taxation, and on Federal relations, and chairman of the railroad 
committee in the session of 1876, and on banks and banking in the session 
of 1881. In the session of 1870 Mr. Glick was speaker pro tern, of the 
House. In May, 1874, Mr. Glick served as a member of the State Senate, 
having been elected to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. 
Joseph C. Wilson. July 28, 1800, he was one of the delegates 
elected by the Democrats to attend the Union Convention at Philadel- 
phia, August 14, 1800; was a member of the Democratic State central 
committee, appointed September 15, 1870; was appointed a member 
of the State central relief committee, November 12, 1874; Gov. 
Thomas A. Osborn commissioned him a Centennial manager, March 3, 
1876, and he was elected treasurer of the board of managers, and he 
was present at the first meeting of the board at Philadelphia, at their 
office in the Kansas building, June 4, 1876, when the arranging of the 
display was completed. July 29, 1838, he was made, by acclama- 
tion, the Democratic candidate for governor, and at the election re- 
ceived some support outside of his party. 



^1 
1 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



131 



^. 



Preston B. Plumb, United States Senator, was born in Delaware 
County, Ohio, October 12, 1837. He received merely a common- 
school education, and at the age of twelve years entered upon an ap- 
prenticeship to the printing business in the office of the Western 
Episcopalian, at Gambier, Ohio. In 1853, in connection with J. W. 
Dumble, he established the News at Xenia, Ohio. He came to Kan- 
sas, June 17, 1856, locating first near where the city of Salina now is, 
but afterward working at the printer's trade in Topeka, and became 
foreman of the Herald of Freedom office at Lawrence, during the 
winter of 1856-57. He was a member of a company of five persona 
who laid out Emporia in February, 1857, and established the Em- 
poria News, the first number of which was issued June 6, 1857. He 
took a prominent part in several Free-State Territorial conventions, 
always advocating the most radical measures of the Anti-Slavery 
party. He was elected a delegate to the Leavenworth Constitutional 
Convention in 1858, and, though one of the youngest, was among the 
most active, influential members. He was admitted to the bar in 1861, 
and opened a law office in Emporia, having previously attended two 
terms at the Cleveland, Ohio, Law School. In 1862 he was elected a 
member of the Kansas House of Representatives, and served as chair- 
man of the judiciary committee, and shortly afterward was appointed 
reporter of the Supreme Court, but resigned to engage in enlisting 
troops, and he recruited two companies for the Eleventh Kansas In- 
fantry and was mustered into service as second-lieutenant of Company 
C, and served successively as captain, major, and lieutenant-colonel in 
that regiment, having command of the regiment the greater part of 
its term of service. He was again elected to the Kansas House of 
Eepresentatives in 1866, and was re-elected in 1867, serving the first 
term as sppaker. He resumed the practice of the law in 1868, and 
continued in it until 1872, when he relinquished the profession on ac- 
count of ill health. From 1873 to 1887 he was president of the Em- 
poria National Bank. He was elected to his present position as Sen- 
ator of the United States January 31, 1877, and was re-elected in 
1883 and 1888. His term of service will expire March 3, 1895. 

Eev. John Tecumseh Jones (Ottawa Jones) was born in Canada 
in January, 1808. His father was an Englishman, his mother an In- 
dian woman of the Chippewa nation. He was taken when quite young 
by a sister, living with her husband, a blacksmith, on the island of 
Mackinac. While yet a little boy, he was accustomed to board vessels 
stopping at the island. A certain Capt. Conner, taking a fancy to 






him, asked him to take a trip to Detroit on his vessel. Young Jones 
failing to obtain the consent of his sister to this proposed voyage, ap- 
parently gave up the project, but next day went down to the vessel 
and sailed away for Detroit. While in the family of his newfound 
friend, Jones learned the English and French languages and forgot 
his own. After a few years Mrs. Conner died, and young Jones was 
thrown out of a home. About this time the Baptists were collectiog 
together isolated Indians to go to Carey Station, Mich., to receive the 
benefits of the mission there. In his destitute condition, Jones was 
found by them and taken to this school, of which Rev. Isaac McCoy 
was at that time superintendent. Here he reacquired his native 
language, and, being diligent in his studies, became thoroughly famil- 
iar with the rudiments of an English education, and also became a 
convert to the Christian religion. He remained here four or five years. 
At that time the Pottawatomies were educating a great many of their 
young men at Hamilton, Columbia and other Eastern colleges. Jones 
attended Hamilton College four years, when, owing to failing health, 
he was advised by the faculty to give up study in order to rest. He 
then went to Choctaw Academy, Kentucky, as a teacher, remainino- 
about one year, later going to the station at Sault Ste. Marie, where 
he was chosen interpreter. For some time, he served in the capacity 
of interpreter for different tribes, and when the Pottawatomies were 
moved to Kansas Territory he came with them, and was a member of 
their tribe until the two Pottawatomie bands were consolidated on the 
tract of thirty miles square on the Kansas Kiver. He was then invited 
to join, and joined the Ottawas, of which tribe he remained a member 
until his death. The farm known as the John T. Jones' place was pur- 
chased by him of the trader to the Ottawas for $1,000. In 1850 he 
built a dwelling and a store. His home, some four miles northeast of 
the i^resent city of Ottawa, was a distinguished landmark, and in the 
early settlement of the Territory was the main stopping place between 
Lawrence and Fort Scott. He had the main country hotel in Eastern 
Kansas, and many of the pioneers of Kansas found temporary shelter 
under his hospitable roof. The assistance rendered to the cause of 
freedom by both John T. Jones and his estimable wife, during those 
early "times that tried men's souls," was of inestimable value. In 
1850 his dwelling and store were burned down by border ruffians. 
February 23, 18()7, the United States Congress made an appropriation 
of $6,700, to be paid to him as an indemnity for this loss. He afterward 
erected a large two-story stone residence, at a cost of $20,000. Mr. 



;|v* 






HISTORY OF KANSAS. 133 



JoQes was a man to lend a helping hand to every good work. He was 
a prominent member of the Baptist Church of Ottawa, and rendered 
valuable assistance in founding the "Ottawa University." He died in 
1873. Mr. Jones was married Jane 2, 1845, to Miss Jane Kelley, of 
North Yarmouth, Me., who, in 1843, had come to Kansas as a teach- 
er and missionary to the Indians. After her husband's death, she 
remained on the farm until 1876, when it was sold. By the terms of 
Mr. Jones' will, the whole of his estate, estimated at $25,000, was 
left in trust to Ottawa University. 

Chief Justice Albert Howell Horton, the subject of this sketch, 
second son of Dr. Harvey Horton and Mary Bennett, was born near 
Brookfield, in the town of Minnisink, Orange County, N. Y., Marc'n 
12, 1S37. He attended the public schools of West Town, N. Y., until 
thirteen years of age, and then was prepared for college at the 
"Farmers' Hall Academy," at Goshen, Orange County, N. Y. ; in 
1855, entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, Mich., as a 
freshman, and remained two years. In 1858 he entered the law 
office of Hon. J. W. Gott, at Goshen, N. Y. , as a law student, and 
remained there until December 15, 1858, when he was admitted as a 
counselor and attorney at law, at a general term of the Supreme 
Court, held in Brooklyn, N. Y. In 1859 he came West with his 
brother, Dr. Harvey A. Horton, and selected Atchison as his home. 
In 1800 he was appointed the city attorney of Atchison by the 
mayor, to till the vacancy caused by the resignation of the elected 
city attorney. In the spring of 1861 he was elected city attorney of 
the city, upon the Republican ticket. In September, 1861, he was 
appointed district judge of the Second Judicial District of the State 
of Kansas, by Gov. Charles Robinson. He was twice elected to the 
same office, and then resigned, to resume the practice of his profes- 
sion. In 1868 he was elected one of the electors on the Republican 
State ticket of Kansas, and was selected as the messenger to take the 
vote of Kansas to Washington. From 1861 to 1864, in addition to 
attending to the duties of judge of the district court, he assisted in 
editing the Weekly Champion. In May, 1869, Mr. Horton was ap- 
pointed by President Grant United States district attorney for Kan- 
sas, and held the office until his resignation on July 18, 1873. In 
November, 1873, he was elected to the House of Representatives of the 
Legislature of Kansas, from Atchison City, and in November, 1876, 
was elected State Senator to represent Atchison County. January 1, 
1877, he resigned the office of State Senator to accept the appoint- 






^ ^ — ^ ^ — " (^ 

134 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



ment of chief justice of Kansas. Under this appointment he held 
the office of chief justice until the regular election in the fall of 1877, 
when he was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of 
his predecessor, Hon. Samuel A. Kingman. In November, 1878, he 
was elected chief justice of the State. At the session of the Kansas 
Legislature, held in 1879, the Republicans had a large majority of the 
members, but were unable to agree upon a caucus nominee for the 
United States Senatoi'. His name was presented as one of the Repub- 
lican candidates to be voted for, an^i upon the final ballot in the joint 
convention of the Legislature, he received eighty votes. John J. Ing- 
alls received eighty-six votes, and was declared elected. On May 26, 
1864, he was married in Middletown, N. Y.. to Anna Amelia Robert- 
son, daughter of William Wells Robertson and Adeline Sayer. 

John Speer was born in Kittanning, Armstrong County, Penn., De- 
cember 27, 1817, the oldest son of Capt. Robert and Barbary (Lowrey) 
Speer. John was bred a farmer, and received only the early educational 
advantages which the district schools of the vicinity afforded. His 
father, while he was a small lad, bought a farm near Kittanning, and 
to insure the payment for it took a contract for carrying the United 
States mail between Kittanning and Curwensville. The distance was 
seventy miles, and the entire route was sparsely settled, with long 
reaches of unsettled wilderness. Over this lonesome route John was 
put to carrying the mail on horseback, at the early age of twelve years. 
For several years he continued faithfnlly to perform the weary work. 
His mother died while he was yet a lad. At the age of eighteen years 
he was indentured to the printing trade, with William Morehead, of 
the Indiana Register, Indiana, Penn. Having served his time, he re- 
turned home, and after six mouths' work as a journeyman on the Kit- 
tanning Gazette, in 1839, made his first journalistic venture, publish- 
ing for six months the Mercer and Beaver Democrat, at New Castle, 
Penn., and vigorously supporting Harrison for the presidency. He 
was identified with journalism in the States of Kentucky, Indiana and 
Ohio, for fifteen years thereafter, during which time he was connected 
with the Portsmouth, Ind , Tribune, the Harrison Gazette (which he 
established at Corydon, Ind.), the Mount Vernon, Ohio, Times, and 
the Democratic Whig, which he established September 12, 1843, and 
which he edited and successfully published for nearly twelve years 
thereafter. On the passage of the Nebraska bill, he sold out his paper 
and other effects, and with his brother, Joseph L. , came to Kansas. 
He arrived September 27, 1854. Here he established the first Free- 



"e> V 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 135 



State newspaper published in the Territory— the Kansas Pioneer, after- 
ward the Kansas Tribune. He was one of the most fearless and able 
champious of the Free State cause in the early days, and has held 
consistently and faithfully through a long political career to his early 
atiiliation with the Republican party. He has been deservedly hon- 
ored with many positions of honor and trust. He was a membei of 
the first Free-State Territorial Legislature in 1857. In 1864 he was 
a member of the national convention which nominated Lincoln and 
Johnson, and the same year was a member of the Kansas State Senate. 
He WHS also elected State printer under the Topeka government. He 
held the office of United States revenue collector from 1862 to 1866. 
The general statutes of 1868 were printed by him. He was elected 
State Representative from the Lawrence district in the fall of 1882. 
Few men have labored harder or suffered more than the subject of 
this sketch for the good of the commonwealth. In addition to the 
ordinary sacritices and hardships which fell in common upon all the 
outspoken Free- State men during the early struggles, the last venge- 
ful stroke of the slave power in Kansas fell with cruel force upon him. 
In Quantrell's raid on Lawrence, August 21, 1863, he lost two promis- 
ing sons, one cruelly shot and his body recovered; the other never 
found, and supposed to have been burned in the conflagration. Fur- 
ther, the Government vouchers of the office he then held were de- 
stroyed, adding the burden of anxiety and business troubles to his 
already overburdened soul. He married Miss Elizabeth Duplisses 
McMahon, daughter of John and Martha (Withers) McMahon, at 
Corydon, Harrison County, Ind., July 14, 1842. She died at Law- 
rence, Kas. , April 9, 1876. 

Thomas Ewing, Jr., came to the Territory of Kansas at an early 
day, seeking fame and fortune. In his favor he had the influence of 
the name of a distinguished family, and he was the possessor of brill- 
iant talents. He seemed to have been born with indomitable eonti- 
dence in his own capacity for self-advancement. He was a very prince 
in personal appearance, gentlemanly and dignified in his demeanor, 
and a forcible and impressive speaker. He was deemed by some re- 
served and cold in his manner, but those most intimate with him credit 
him with great social qualities and an intense devotion to his friends. 
He had the quality of attaching persons to him with hooks of steel, 
and ever afterward they were not only his earnest supporters but his 
ardent admirers. He was a member of the Free-State Convention at 
Lawrence, in 1857, and in 1858, of the Territorial commission which 



^^ 



-^|v 



k. 



136 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



exposed in detail the fraudulent votes cast for the Lecoiupton Constitu- 
tion. He was one of the officers of the Free-State Convention held at 
Topeka, in 1858, and in the same year was a member of the Leavenworth 
Constitutional Convention. He was one of the vice-presidents of the 
Osawatomie Convention, held in 1859, and as a member of that con- 
vention assisted greatly in organizing the Republican party in Kansas. 
He was nominated chief justice of the Supreme Court, by acclamation, 
at the Republican State Convention held in Lawrence, October 12, 
1859. After the admission of the State, he served as chief justice 
less than two years, resigning his judicial position in November, 1862, 
to accept the colonelcy of the Eleventh Regiment of Kansas Volun- 
teers. In March, following, he was made brigadier-general, and on 
August 22, 1803, issued his celebrated order No. 11, requiring all 
persons living in Jackson, Cass and Bates Counties, Mo., to remove 
from their places of residence within fifteen days. Upon leaving the 
army, in 1865, Gen. Ewing returned to Ohio to live. He there be- 
came identified with the Democratic party, served in Congress, and at 
the National Democratic Convention held in New York, in July, 1868 
was a prominent candidate for the vice presidency. His order No. 11, 
circulated among members of that convention, was prejudicial to his 
success, and he was finally defeated by Gen. Frank P. Blair, of Mis- 
souri. As illustrative of his style as a speaker, and the many great 
changes in travel and mail facilities from the early days of Kansas, the 
following quotation is given from one of his speeches delivered in 
Congress: "I have lived on the border, and know how exigent and 
imperative is the need of good facilities — what social joy and business 
life the quick coach isfreightal with, aad how saddening and destruct- 
ive of business is the laggard mail. I was present when the first fleet 
horse of the pony express started — that splendid achievement by Ben 
Holladay — the most characteristic of all the American enterprises of 
this century. I was present when the courser flung the dust of Mis- 
souri from his feet, and sped away to the desert, amid the godspeeds 
and acclaims of all Kansas; and I remember, too, how his reception 
on the Pacific coast thrilled the continent. A grander and more loving 
welcome was given to horse and rider, begrimed with soil and sweat, than 
was ever accorded there to hero or statesman; for the hearts of our 
brethren on that far coast leaped with joy to know that they were 
brought within a fortnight-mail communication with their kindred in 
the East. That spider's thread spun across the desert has drawn after 
it railroad and telegraph, city and State; vast fields of wheat and herds 



s \' 




of cattle, and the pulses of this gr(^at artery of commerce now throb 
throughout our continent/' 

Hon. Samuel A. Kingman, one of the fathers and founders of the 
State, was for fourteen years upon the supreme bench as chief justice 
and associate justice. He was an active member of the Wyandotte 
Constitutional Convention, and was chairman of the committee on the 
judiciary. In that convention he was eloquent in debate, as well as 
wise, or rather he was eloquent by his wisdom. His name is en- 
titled, in Kansas, to enviable immortality for his support of the home- 
stead provision incorporated in the State constitution. If not the author 
of the provision, he was its most able defender and successful advo- 
cate. Against an attempt to limit the value of the homestead to .|2, 000, 
he said: ''A true homestead law has always laid very near my heart. 
A home is a home, good or bad, valuable or valueless. It is simply 
the home, the hearthstone, the fireside, around which a man may gather 
his family, with the certainty of assurance that neither the hand of 
the law, nor all of the uncertainties of life can eject them from the pos- 
session of it. To limit the value is to say to the owner: 'So long 
as your land remains unimproved, so long as it shall remain poor and 
sterile, it is yours, but the moment you put your labor upon it, the 
moment you improve it and adorn it and make it habitable and beau- 
tiful, it shall be taken away from you for the payment of your debts. ' 
This limitation tells him that his labor shall be in vain; tells him to 
keep away the hand of improvement, for if you advance its value be- 
yond the limit proposed, your homestead and your reliance for the sup- 
port of your family is forever gone." Chief -Justice Kingman's judi- 
cial opinions are models of clearness and conciseness; a natural sense 
of justice permeates them all. Upon the bench, as well as off, he was 
noted for unaffected dignity and simplicity. It was a misfortune to 
the State that ill health required him to relinquish the duties which 
otherwise he was so ably fitted to discharge. 

Benjamin Franklin Mudge (the distinguished geologist), son of 
James and Ruth Mudge, was born in Orrington, Me., August 11 
1817. In 1818 his parents removed to Lynn, Ma.ss., and in the com- 
mon schools of that city Benjamin received his early education. From 
the age of fourteen until he was twenty, he followed the trade of 
shoe making. He taught school to procure the means of acquiring a 
collegiate education, and graduated from the Wesleyan University, at 
Middletown, Conn.; first in the scientific and afterward in the class- 
ical course in 1840. After graduating he returned to Lynn and beo-an 



*^ 



IV*- 



A" — ^ 



138 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



the study of law, being admitted to the bar two years later, aud im- 
mediately entering upon the practice of his profession. He remained 
a resident of Lynn until 1859, becoming during those years thorough- 
ly identified with all the reform movements in that city. He was 
especially active aud earnest in the anti-slavery and temjjerance move- 
ments, and was elected mayor of the city on the latter issue in 1852. 
In ] 859. having spent eighteen years of his active business life in Lynn. 
he accepted the office of chemist for the Breckenridge Coal & Oil Com- 
pany in Kentucky. On the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion 
he removed to Kansas and settled at Quindaro, where he remained until 
he received an appointment as State geologist for Kansas in 1803. from 
which time until his death, sixteen years later, his whole time and 
strength were given to scientific researches and investigations in the 
West, principally in Kansas and Nebraska. In 1865 he was elected 
professor of "'geology and associated sciences,'" in the State Agricult 
ural College at Manhattan, in which position he remained eight years. 
In addition to the faithful and conscientious work performed by the 
Professor in the interest of the institution, he presented to it his rare 
and valuable cabinet, including the collections of more than tliirty years 
aud many thousand choice specimens. Having some disagreement with 
the college administration, which resulted in litigation, Prof. Mudge 
accepted an appointment from Prof. Marsh, of Yale College, to gather 
geological specimens in the new West for the cabinet of that institu- 
tion. He furnished various forms of vertebrate fossils, the first speci- 
men of birds with teeth (described b}' Prof. Marsh, American Journal 
of Science, volume IV, page 34), and also many of the original speci- 
mens for the engravings in Government publications. Duning a single 
year he gathered and shipped three tons of rare specimens of western 
fossil to eastern scientists. To accomplish such a work his time for 
the last five years of his life was necessarily spent principally in camp, 
exposed to the perils and privations of frontier and oftentimes savage 
life. During the intervals between his tours of exploration and in- 
vestigation, his time was employed in writing and lecturing on scien- 
tific subjects, mainly geology, he being a fine writer, and a most 
popular lecturer. In 1878 he was elected fellow of the American As- 
sociation for the Advancement of Science, and was father of the Kansas 
Academy of Sciences. He was married September 16, 1846, to Mary 
Eusebia Beckford. Six children were born to them. Pi of. Mudge 
died of apoplexy at his home in Manhattan, Kas., November '21, 
1879. 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 139 



Col. D. R. Aiit.boii}', editor and proprietor of the Leavenworth 
Times, was born in South Adams, Mass., August 22, 1824. He re- 
ceived a common-school education, and his youth and early manhood 
were spent in various mercantile pursuits. In July, 1854, Mr. An- 
thony visited Kans-as, being a member of that colony sent out by the 
New England Emigrant Aid Society, under the leadership of Eli 
Thayer, which founded the city of Lawrence. In the fall of the same 
year he returned to Rochester, N. Y., where he remained iu business 
until June, 1857, when he returned to Kansas, and located permanently 
in Leavenworth. At the breaking out of the war, Mr. Anthony be- 
came lieutenant-colonel of the First Kansas Cavalry, afterward 
known as the Seventh Kansas Volunteers. In November, 1861, at 
the battle of the Little Blue, he won a decisive victory over a force of 
guerrillas four times as strong as his in numbers; but his reputation as 
a faithful Union officer was made by the order which he issued while 
in command of Gen. Mitchell's brigade in Tennessee, forbidding any 
officer or soldier to return a fugitiTe slave to his master. His action 
created no small feeling and commotion in the army and throughout 
the country, and, by his refusal to countermand the order, he incurred 
the displeasure of his superior officer, and was arrested by Gen. 
Mitchell. Within sixty days from the time of his arrest, however, 
Gen. Halleck restored him to active service, being satisfied that public 
sentiment sustained Col. Anthony's course. In April, 1801, he was 
appointed postmaster of Leavenworth, which office he held for five 
years, being elected mayor of the city in 1863. As chief executive of 
Leavenworth, he carried into civil life the same uncompromising 
Union spirit which he had shown in the army, and his administration 
was one of the most vigorous and effective which the city has ever en- 
joyed. Brig. -Gen. Thomas Ewing, Jr., commanding the District of 
the Border, headquarters at Kansas City, had declared martial law, 
and his detectives in Leavenworth seized some horses belono-ing to a 
colored man, claiming they had been stolen in Missouri. This Mayor 
Anthony resented, claiming that Kansas was a loyal State, and that 
her civil authorities were entirely competent to enforce all the laws, 
and ordered the police to recover the animals, which they did. On 
September 7 he was arrested by order of Gen. Ewing, and taken to 
Kansas City, escorted by a military guard of twenty-four men. The 
whole of Leavenworth was in a blaze of excitement over the indignity 
placed upon her mayor. A large public meeting, composed of promi- 
nent citizens, was held upon the evening of his arrest, and resolutions 



r 



140 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



were passed calling upon the President to properly punish or censure 
those who were responsible for the outrage. Mayor Anthony was. 
however, released within twenty-four hours from the time he was ar- 
rested, and was granted a perfect ovation at the market house the next 
evening. The order declaring martial law in Leavenworth had been 
countermanded simultaneously with his arrest. In 1868 Col. Anthony 
was president of the llepubliean State Convention, and was chosen a 
presidential elector, his being one of the three votes which Kansas 
cast for Gen. Grant. In 1871 he served in the city council, and in 
1872 was again elected mayor for a term of two years. In 1874 he 
was elected councilman from the First Ward, and in April, 1874, was 
appointed postmaster of Leavenworth by Gen. Grant. In addition to 
the tine record which Col. Anthony has made for himself as a public 
functionary, he has, for nearly thirty years, been building a journal- 
istic reputation which is second to none in the State, and which is 
among the foremost in the country. Mr. Anthony was married Jan- 
uary 21, 1864, to Miss Annie O. Osborn, of Edgartown, Mass., his 
father-in-law, Capt. Osborn, being one of the leading whaling mer- 
chants of that State. Col. Anthony, a man of strong convictions, and 
fearless in their expression, has made bitter enemies; and it is almost 
an anomaly that a man of strong character does escape bitter persecu- 
tion of some kind. On May 10, 1875, he was shot in the opera house, 
Leavenworth, by W. W. Embry, a printer and newspaper publisher. 
The ball passed into the right side of the face, passed downward, and 
lodged in the body. The shot came near proving fatal. It may be 
incidentally remarked as a singular circumstance, that on New Year's 
Day, 1880, W. W. Eml^ry, the man who shot Col. Anthony, was himself 
shot and instantly killed, in a saloon row with his newspaper partner. 
Hon. David Josiah Brewer was born in Smyrna, Asia Minor, Jixne 
20, 1837. His father. Rev. Josiah Brewer, was a missionary to the 
Greeks in Turkey at the time of his birth. His mother, Emilia A 
(Field) Brewer, was a sister of David Dudley and Cyrus W. Field. 
The subject of this sketch commenced his collegiate studies at the Wes- 
leyan University, at Middletown, Conn., but subsequently entered the 
junior class at Yale College, New Haven, Conn., from which he grad- 
uated with high honors in ]8i'6. He completed his law studies at the 
Albany Law School, fiom which he graduated in 1858. He then came 
west, spent a few months in Kansas City, and then journeyed farther 
west up the Arkansas River to Pike's Peak. He remained in the Colo- 
rado regions until the following June, when he returned to Kansas. 



It^ 



HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 141 



and after a short visit to his eastern home, settled finally. September 
13, 1859, at Leavenworth. Kas. , where he has since been a resident. 
Since he settled in Leavenworth he has been an honored citizen by 
almost continuous election to offices of honor and trust. In 1861 he 
was appointed United States commissioner; in 1862 he was elected 
judge of probate and criminal courts of Leavenworth County; in 1864 
was elected judge of the district court for the First Judicial District 
of the State of Kansas; in 1868 was elected attorney for Leavenworth 
County; in 1870 was elected justice of the Supreme Court, and re 
elected to the same position in 1876, and again in 1882, for a third 
term. Among the many minor offices with which he has been honored 
by his neighbors, are the following: Member of the board of educa- 
tion of Leavenworth City, in 1863-64; president of the school board 
in 1865; citj" superintendent of schools in 1865-68; secretary of the 
Mercantile Library Association, 1862-63, and' its president in 1864; 
president of the State Teachers" Association in 1868 ; and secretary 
and one of the trustees of Mount Muncie Cemetery Association, the 
public cemetery of Leavenworth City, since its organization in 1866. 
He was married, October 3, 1861, to Miss Louise R. Landon, of Bur- 
lington, Vt. They have four daughters, all living: Harriet E., Etta 
L., Fannie A. and Jeanie E. During the long period of twelve years 
which have passed since Judge Brewer's first election to the supreme 
bench, he has, by the judicial ability and integrity which have charac- 
terized his decisions, won distinction for himself and eminence as a 
jurist, as well as elevated the standard of excellence of the court over 
which he presides. It has in the past been truthfully said of him, and 
the truth brightens as the years roll on: "He has honestly merited 
the confidence and respect which is so universally tendered him by 
the legal fraternity of Kansas, and is an honor to the bench he adorns." 
Samuel Medary was appointed governor of Kansas Territory 
November 19, and arrived in the Territory and entered upon the duties 
of his office December 20, 1858. He was born in Montgomery Coun- 
ty, Penn. , February 15, 1801. He learned the trade of a printer, and 
subsequently became the editor of the Ohio Statesman, published at 
Columbus. Ohio. He held the position for many years, dimng which 
his paper ranked as one of the ablest Democratic journals of the State. 
In politics he was a stanch Democrat of the Jacksoniau school, during 
his whole life. He was au ardent admirer and follower of Douglas up to 
the division which grew out of the discussion of the Lecompton Constitu- 
tion in Congress, at which time he supported the administration and fa 



^^ 



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,u 




vored its policy. He was appointed governor of Minnesota in March, 
1857. On its admission as a State, he again made his home in Columbus, 
Ohio. He was appointed governor of Kansas November 19, 1858, took 
the oath of office December 1, and entered upon his duties December 
20. Compared with the administrations of his predecessors, his was 
uneventful. The country was in a comparatively peaceful condition, 
and little opportunity was offered him to show either the administra- 
tive faults or virtues which he may have possessed. He resigned the 
office December 20, 1800, and returned to Columbus, Ohio, where he 
remained until the time of his death, which occurred November 7, 
1864. 




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;pr 



^WYANDOTTE ceUNTY.^ 



CHAPTER XI. 



Location— TopoGHAPHY — Altitude — Economic Geology — Explo- 
rations— Indians— Skttlement— First Election— Indian Tkea- 
TiES— Surveyor-General's Office— Land Surveys- Indian Set- 
tlers—First White Settlers— Indian Cemetery— First Mar- 
riages, etc , ETC. 



■' The fall of waters, and the song of birds. 
The hills that echo to the distant herds, 
Are luxuries excelling all the glare 
The world can boast, and her chief favorites share. 



YANDOTTE COUNTY, Kas., is situated at 
the coufluence of tbe Missouri and Kansas 
Rivers, in tbe extreme eastern portion of 
the State, and is bounded on the west and 
partially on the north by Leavenworth 
County, also on tbe north and northeast by 
tbe Missouri River, which separates it from 
the Stiite of Missouri; on tbe east by the Missouri River, 
Kansas City in Missouri, and tbe Missouri State line, and on 
the south by Johnson County, tbe Kansas River forming the 
dividing line a part of the way. It contains portions of 
Townships 10 and 11, south of the base line, in Ranges 2y. 
2-i and '25, east of tbe sixth principal meridian, and a portion 
|n< of Township 12 south, in Range 23 east. It also lies in the 
southern part of tbe fortieth degree of north latitude, and in 
the western part of tbe ninety-liftb degree of longitude west 
from Greenwich, England. According to the rectangular system of 
United States surveys, it contains an area of about 153 square miles or 
97.920 acres. 




\^ a 



^ 



'Ji. 



Hi HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



The base line above referred to lies on the fortieth degree of 
north latitude, and constitutes the line between the States of Kansas 
and Nebraska. The sixth principal meridian crosses the base line, and 
extends north and south through both of these States, passing through 
Kansas 132 miles west of the western boundary of Wyandotte County. 
The townships number south from the base line for the whole State. 
and the ranges for the eastern part of the State number eastward from 
the meridian, and for the western part of the State they number west- 
ward therefrom. The State line between the States of Ohio and Indi- 
ana constitute the first principal meridian, as used in the system of 
townships and ranges for the survey of the public lands; the second 
passes through the middle of Indiana, a few miles west of Indianapolis; 
the third through the State of Illinois, near the center thereof; the 
fourth through the western part of Illinois; the tifth through the 
States of Arkansas, Missouri and Iowa, and the sixth through Kansas 
and Nebraska, as above explained. 

The following is the legal description of the boundary lines of 
Wyandotte County: Commencing at a point on the west line of the 
State of Missouri, opposite the mouth of the Kansas River; thence 
south on the west line of the State of Missouri to the south line of 
Township 11 south, being the northeast corner of Johnson County; 
thence west on township line to the middle of the main channel of the 
Kansas River, in Range 24, east; thence up the said river, in the 
middle of the main channel thereof, to the intersection with the east 
line of Range 22, east; thence north on said range line to the old 
Delaware reservation line, the same being the dividing line between 
the original Delaware reserve and Delaware trust laads; thence 
east on said line to the west boundary line of the State of Missouri; 
thence southeasterly with the said western boundary line of the State 
of Missouri to the place of beginning.' This, the statutory description, 
is technical, and yet indefinite, as it depends upon other descriptions 
not herein expressed. Wyandotte is the smallest county in the State, 
but it ranks as the third in population, and has a density of 332.43 
persons to the square mile. Kansas City, lying in the extreme eastern 
portion of the county, at the mouth of the Kansas River, is the county 
seat. 

The county is named after the civilized tribe of Indians who com- 
menced its settlement in 1843, and it has been spelled in three dif- 
ferent ways, viz.: Wyandot, Wyandott and Wyandotte; the tir.st is 
the Indian, the second the English, and the third the French method. 



■^ 



r 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



145 



It is foimd all these ways in the public records, dooumerits and books 
making mention of it. The latter method is now most generally accepted, 
and to^prevent confusion, will be used in this work, except in quota- 
tions where the name is otherwise spelled. 

The general surface of the county is undulating, high bluffs oc- 
curring along the Missouri and the south bank of the Kansas River. 
Bottom lands vary in width from one to two miles, and, in the aggre- 
gate, comprise twenty per cent of the total area. There is consider- 
able timber in all sections except the northern, constituting about one- 
fourth of the area of the county. The belts along the streams average a 
width of two miles. All the varieties of timber common to the west- 
ern country, such as oak, elm, sycamore, cottonwood, box elder, wal- 
nut, honey locust, willow, hickory, ash, hackberry and mulberry, are 
found here. But unlike the tall timber of the East, with limbless 
trunks, it has a low and spreading growth, thus making it less valu- 
able as saw timber. 

Springs are abundant, and good well water is obtained at an aver- 
age depth of thirty-live feet. The Missouri River, flowing in a south- 
easterly direction, forms the largest portion of the northern boundary 
and a small part of the eastero. The Kansas River, with a north- 
eastern course, forms about one third of the southern boundary, and 
flows into the Missouri River. The creeks which flow from the county 
uito the Missouri River are Jersey, which runs eastwardly through 
the northern part of Kansas City; Big Eddy, near the line between 
Ranges 24 and 25; Marshall, near the line between Ranges 23 and 24; 
Connar, Honey and Island, the last three being in Range 23. All 
of these except Jersey flow in a northeasterly direction. There are 
some other smaller tributaries of the Missouri in the county. The 
creeks which flow from the county into the Kansas River on the north 
side are Muncy, Mill and Turkey, in Range 24, and Betts, East Mis- 
souri, West Missouri, Spring and West, in Range 23. These streams 
all flow southerly and southeasterly. A few small creeks enter the 
Kansas River from Shawnee Township, of Wyandotte County, on 
the south. The streams here mentioned, with a few small and un- 
named rivulets, form the drainage of the county, which is very per- 
fect. 

Kansas River, at its mouth, is 750 feet above sea level. The city 
hall in Kansas City, Kas., stands 124.61 feet above low water mark 
in the Missoiiri River, and the court-house stands 150 feet above the 
same mark. The surface gradually rises on going westward, but be- 



^-^ 



V 



^^^^ 



tween the streams that flow northward into the Missouri, and those 
that flow southward into the Kansas Kiver, there is a water shed run- 
ning east and west through the county near the second standard 
parallel south from the base line, it being the line between Town 
ships 10 and 11 south. From this water shed the lands descend 
toward the Missouri on the north and northeast, and toward the 
Kansas River on the south and southeast. 

The soil of both the valley and highlands of the county is the same 
in fine, black, rich loam, so common in the Westei-n States. The pre- 
dominating limestones, by disintegration, aid in its fertility, but the 
extreme fineness of all the ingredients acts most effectively in produc- 
ing its richness. On the uplands it is from one to three feet deep; in 
the bottoms it is sometimes twenty feet or more. There are no stag- 
nant pools or peat marshes in the county, except in the immediate bot- 
toms of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, where there is some lifeless 
water in sloughs when the rivers are very low. The strata of the outer 
formation of the earth is mostly in a horizontal position, showing that 
the uplifting from the ocean must have been slow and perpendicular. 

A few veins of coal have been found, but are not of sufficient thick- 
ness to warrant working; besides, they lie very deep. A light-colored 
limestone, making a good caustic lime, is very abundant on the banks of 
the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, aud along the many small streams 
throughout the county. It is the stone mostly used for building pur- 
poses. A blue limestone, also making a fair quality of lime, is found 
in limited quantities. It is a hard, compact stone, without seams, and 
much sought after for " range " work. A grey limestone, or granite 
limestone, making a very inferior lime, is found in immense layers, two 
to four feet in thickness. It is without flaws, is hard, compact and 
durable, and is much used in the construction of bridge piers, abut- 
ments and heavy walls. Limestone oolitic is found in beds of great 
thickness, and is used for abutments, piers and heavy walls. It makes 
a poor quality of lime. Sandstone, not very compact, is found in the 
central and most elevated portions of the county, and is used to a small 
extent in building. At Argentine and Edwardsville there are ledges 
of a very hard sandstone, similar to the Medina sandstone of New 
York. Blocks of it are used for street paving. Cement rock is found 
underlying a few hundred acres of land just south of the city limits of 
Kansas City. It is almost an inexhaustible deposit of hydraulic lime- 
stone, from eight to fifteen feet in thickness. The quality is proving 
to be excellent. A company having a large capital has bought costly 



^IV 



^^ 




kilns and a cement mill, and has been manufacturing cement from this 
stone for several years. Under the cement a large deposit of tire clay 
is foxind. Fire-bricks have been manufactvired from it, and the clay 
is much used as a mortar in laying firebrick. In boring for coal in 
1875 gas was struck at a depth of 350 feet, 10,000 feet of gas escap- 
ing hourly. In 1883 another company drilled a six-inch well in the 
old city of Wyandotte, seeking for coal or oil, and, at a depth of 300 
feet, also struck gas. The gas is utilized to a limited extent. 

Long before the United States possessed the vast territory west of 
the Mississipj)i, the French and the Spaniards had explored the Mis 
souri and Kansas Rivers to points above their junction, but made no 
permanent settlements. Of these explorations but little is known. In 
1800 a trading post was established at Randolph BlufFs, three miles 
below the present Kansas City, but it did not lead to a settlement. 
The first Americans who saw this part of country under the dominion 
of the United States were Messrs. Lewis and Clarke, who traveled by 
in 1804, on their famous expedition up the Missouri, passing the 
mouth of Kansas River early in May of that year, or perhaps late in 
April, where they made a temporary camp and procured plenty of 
game. In 1811 the western limit of white settlement was at Fort 
Osage in Missouri, thirty-four miles below the mouth of the Kansas 
River. In 1819 Maj. Stephen H. Long, in the employ of the Govern- 
ment, with a corps of topographical engineers on his way to the Yel- 
lowstone country, passed the site of the present Wyandotte County, 
with the first steamboat that ever plowed the Missouri along the borders 
of Kansas. In 1825 Cyprian Chouteau, a Frenchman, established a 
trading post on the south side of the Kansas River about opposite the 
pj;esent site of Muncie. A few years later he was joined by his brother, 
Frederick, and later still the}' moved their trading post about eighty 
miles farther up the river. In 1827 a part of the Third Regiment of 
United States troops passed the mouth of Kansas River on their way 
to Leavenworth, where they erected barracks and a fort. In 1829 
Rev. Thomas Johnson established a Methodist mission school among 
the Shawnees, in the present township of Shawnee in Johnson County, 
which lies directly south of Shawnee Township in Wyandotte County, 
and in May, 1832, he established a mission school among the Dela- 
ware Indians, near the White Church post-oifice, now on the Kansas 
City, Wyandotte & Northwestern Railroad. In May, 1834. the first 
stock of goods was landed near the present site of Kansas City, Mo. 
In 1837 John G. Pratt located on Section 10, in Townshi]) 11, Range 




^. 



23, about twelve miles west of Wyandotte City, where he still resides, 
and established a Baptist mission among the Delaware Indians. Mr. 
Pratt has published several hymn books in the Delaware language, 
one of which was printed at the Wyandotte Herald oifice. He was ap- 
pointed agent for the Delawares, by President Lincoln. One of his 
sons married a daughter of Charles Journeycake, a well-known Del- 
aware chief. His eldest daughter married Col. Samuel Black, of 
Leavenworth. In 184:2 John C. Fremont, on an expedition, visited 
Cyprian Chouteau's trading post on the Kansas River, and then with 
Kit Carson as his guide proceeded farther up the river. The next 
year Fremont went up this river on a second expedition. 

In the early part of the nineteenth century, when the United 
States became possessed of the extensive Territory of Louisiana, the 
Pawnee Indians claimed possession and ownership of a large tract 
of counti'y including what is now Wyandotte County. The Paw- 
nees were a powerful and warlike tribe, and for a century they main- 
tained sway over the country embraced by the branches of the Kan- 
sas River, and over the whole region watered by the Platte, from near 
the Rocky Mountains to its mouth. They were divided into several 
villages or bands, one of which, the Pawnee Republic, gave its name 
to the Republican River. The Otoes, Omahas and other tribes ac- 
knowledged the superiority of the Pawnees, and lived under their 
protection. In 1832, however, all these tribes were ravaged by the 
small-pox, and it is said that the Pawnees then lost half their popula 
tion. The following year, by treaty, they disposed of, to the United 
States, all their claims to the land lying south of the Platte River, 
and agreed to locate themselves north of that river and west of the 
Missouri. This they did. But large bodies of Sioux came down on 
their new settlements, and drove them back with great slaughter. 
Some returned to their old villages; others joined their allies, the 
Otoes and Omahas. They continued to be unfortunate, and by the 
ravages of wars and disease rapidly dwindled in numbers. [T. G. 
Adams' Homestead Guide.] 

But later the Kansas or Raw Indians claimed to have, in a great 
measure, supplanted the Pawnees in their right to the occupancy of 
their country, and by treaty dated June 8, 1825, they (the Kaws) ceded 
to the United States a tract of territory including what is now em- 
braced in Wyandotte County. Subsequently, early in the thirties, the 
United States granted to the Delaware Indians a large reservation in 
the purchase from the Kaw Indians, which inchxded all of what is 

7 



jj 



•^ik-- 



-^ 




now in Wyandotte County lying north of the Kansas River. And 
then, or s ion thereafter, the Shawnee Indians, by treaty or otherwise, 
claimed a large tract of country lying immediately south of the Kan - 
sas River. 

The following account pertaining to the last occupancy by the In- 
dians of the territory now embraced in Wyandotte County, given by 
Rev. John G. Pratt, now the oldest citizen in the county, and published 
in the Andreas' State History, is here presented for the benefit of the 
reader: 

' ' That part of the country on the north side of the Kansas River 
was first settled by the Delawares in 1829. They came from Ohio, 
and brought with them a knowledge of agriculture, and many of them 
habits of industry. They opened farms, built houses and cut out roads 
along the ridges and divides; also erected a frame church at what is 
now the village of White Church. The south side of the Kansas 
River was settled by the Shawnee Indians in 18'23. They also after- 
ward came from Ohio, and were about as much advanced in civiliza- 
tion as the Delawares. They had a Methodist Mission some three 
miles fi'om Westport a long time, it being presided over by Rev. Mr. 
Johnson; also a Quaker Mission about two miles west of that. The 
population of the Delaware tribe when it first settled in Kansas was 
1,000. It w.as afterward reduced to 800. This was in consequence of 
contact with the wilder tribes, who were as hostile to the short haired 
Indians as they were to the whites. Still the Delawares would vent- 
ure out hunting buffalo and beaver, to be iuevitably overcome and de- 
stroyed. Government finally forbade their leaving the reS'ervation. 
The effect of this order was soon apparent in the steady increase of the 
tribe, so that when they removed in 1867 they numbered 1,160. The 
ruling chiefs from 1829 to 1867 were Ne-con-he-con, Qui-sha to wha 
(Capt. John Ketchum), Nah-ko-mund (Capt. Anderson), Kock-a-to- wha 
(Sar-cos-ie), Charles Johnnycake, Qua con now-ha (James Sacondine 
or Secundine), Ah-cah chick (James Connor) and Cajit. John Connor." 

" Capt. John Ketchum, one of the most noted chiefs of the Dela- 
wares, died in August, 1857. Aa lived near White Church, on the 
Lawrence road, and at the time of his death, which occurred at an ad- 
vanced age, he was almost helpless. His funeral was attended by a 
large number of Indians, who came in their colored blankets and 
painted faces, carrying their guns." 

In 184'2 the Wyaudotte Indians in Ohio, by treaty sold their 
lands in that State to the United States, and the following year they 







moved toward the setting sun in search of a new home. Preceding 
their coining, in May, 1843, Silas Armstrong and George Clark, with 
their families, and Miss Jane Tilles (now the widow of William 
Cook), who had been reared by Mrs. Sarah Armstrong, came to 
this section to select a reservation, but more particularly to establish 
a trading store for the nation. This Mr. Armstrong did, renting a 
building in Westport. The young men of the tribe, under the leader- 
ship of Matthew Walker, brought the horses aad came overland from 
the reservation. The rest of the tribe —men, women and children, 
went to Cincinnati and there engaged two boats, the "Nodaway" and 
another, on which they set out by water for their destination west of 
Missouri. 

The "Nodaway," the largest vessel, arrived at Westport Landing, 
July 28, 1843, and the other vessel arrived three days later. They 
found upon arrival that the land lying south of the Kansas River 
was occupied by the Shawnee Indians, and that the land lying north 
thereof was occupied by the Delaware Indians, and that there were 
no lands here then open to their entry as a home. 

Silas Armstrong, a prominent member of the tribe, located with his 
family in a house in Westport, and perhaps other members of the 
baud found house-room in the same village; but the body of the tribe 
encamped on a narrow strip of land lying between the Shawnee reser- 
vation and the Missouri State line, south of the mouth of Kansas River. 
This strip had been reserved by the Government for the purpose of 
erecting a fort thereon, but the land being too low, it was never util- 
ized for such purpose — a site at Leavenworth being chosen in its stead. 
Being anxious to find a home, the coiincil of the Wyandottes negotiated 
with the Delawares, who were friendly, and received from them three 
sections of land, by gift, and thirty-six sections by purchase — all lying 
in the peninsula between the Missouri and the Kansas (then the Kaw) 
Rivers, and bounded on the north and east by the former river, and on the 
south by the latter, and containing the site of the present Kansas City, 
in Kansas. Its western boundary was a north and south line, extend- 
ing from river to river, far enough to the west to contain the thirty- 
nine sections — being run a little west of the middle of Range 24. 
Afterward this purchase was coniirmed and ratified by the United 
States, and it became the Wyandottes' reservation. 

After camping on the low strip of land before mentioned, from their 
arrival in July, 1843, to October of the same year, the Wyandottes 
crossed the Kansas River, and encamped on the lands procured from 



t 



>fv" 



the Delawiires. Duriug this time they lost by death, from sickness, 
sixty of their number. Immediately after occupying their "prom- 
ised land," they began to erect permanent homes. John Mclutyre 
Armstrong, a well educated and prominent Wyandotte (whose widow, 
Lucy B. Armstrong, a white woman, and daughter of Rev. Russell 
Bigelow, formerly of the Ohio Methodist Episcopal Conference, is still 
living), erected his log cabin about 150 feet east of what is now Fifth 
Street and a little north of Freeman Aveiuie, in Kansas City, and 
moved his family into it December 10, 1843. This was the first house 
built on the site of what is now a prosperous city. In 184:7 he com- 
pleted the very substantial frame dwelling-house on what is known 
as •' Lucy B. Armstrong's Allotment," near the Northwestern depot, 
and where his widow, Mrs. Lucy B., has ever since resided. Mr. 
Armstrong was sev«n-eighths white and one-eighth Indian. The Wy- 
andottes as fast as possible erected log cabins, and provided them- 
selves with comfortable homes, and began to improve the country. 
Being both civilized and Christianized, they let not a year roll away, 
before they had a house erected in which they met to worship God. 
Their school-house and council house were also erected before a year 
had rolled away, and in it J. Mclntyre Armstrong began to teach the 
first school, beginning July 1, 1844 — in less than a year after they 
landed at West port. 

The spring of 1844 was warm and dry until in May, when it com- 
menced to rain and continued to rain more or less every day for forty 
days, causing a very destructive flood. The bottom lands on both 
sides of the Kansas River at and near its mouth, now mostly covered 
with buildings, was then inundated with water to a depth of fourteen 
feet; the Missouri backed up to the mouth of Line Creek, and Jersey 
Creek backed up to a point a quarter of a mile above the site of the 
present Northwestern Railroad depot. The long, continued rains 
were succeeded by dry and hot weather, and the overflowed vegetable 
matter decomposing, cansed much sickness among the Wyandottes, 
and a large percentage of their number died. But, notwithstanding 
this calamity, the Wyandottes continued to build houses, to subdue the 
wilderness and make farms, to build churches and school-houses, to 
worship God and educate their children, so that when their reservation 
was opened to the white settlers, the latter found it very unlike the 
many settlements made on the frontier among the aborigines. Yet, 
these people were Indians, so called. 

The original Wyandotte Indians were of the Iroquois family, and 



^fV*' 



were called Hurons by the French. When the French settled Canada 
they were on the Island of Montreal, and were very numeious. A 
part ol them went to Quebec, and a part sonth of the great lakes. In 
1829 a small band of them lived on Huron River in Michigan, but the 
principal portion settled on the headwaters of the Sandusky River in 
Ohio, whence they afterward came to Kansas. Those that removed 
to the reservation here were nearly all known as half-breeds, but many 
of them had more white than Indian blood in their veins. A few white 
men. who married into the tribe, were adopted as members thereof, 
and were prominent in their councils. Besides being civilized, on 
their reservation in Ohio manj' of these Indians were Christianized 
by the mission work of Christian denominations, notably the Method- 
ist Episciipal in Ohio. Subsequently many of them were very respect- 
able and prominent in the settlement and organization of Wyandotte 
County, and some of the best and most prominent citizens of the 
county to-day are descendants in part from these people. Unfort- 
unately many of the Wyandottes, like their white brethren, were too 
fond of ' ' fire water. ' ' 

Jane Tilles, a white girl, adopted into the tribe in Ohio, came here 
as a meuiber of the family of Silas Armstrong. She afterward mar- 
ried James Bennett, who was elected chief of the Wyandottes, and after 
his death she married William Cook, a prominent business man of 
Wyandotte. She is now living on Emerson Avenue, between Sixth 
and Seventh Streets. 

In 1843, when the Wyandottes came, Kansas City, Mo., contained 
three warehouses (those of the Town Company, Francis Chouteau, or 
rather the American Fur Company, and that of W. G. & G. W. Ewing), 
two or three small trading houses, and a few log cabins, mostly opcu- 
pied by Frenchmen. It was then known only as Westport Landing. 

In the summer of 1852 the organization of a Territory claimed the 
attention of the leading men of the Wyandotte Nation, which resulted 
in issuing a call for an election for delegates to Congress. The elec- 
tion was held October 12, of that year. George I. Clark, Samuel' 
Priestly and Matthew R. Walker acted as judges, and William Walker 
and Benjamin C. Anderson as clerks. Thirty-live votes were polled, 
and the following is the order in which they were received: Charles 
B. Garrett, Isaac Baker, Jose Antonio Pieto, Henry C. Norton, Abe- 
lard Guthrie, Henry C. Long, Cyrus Garrett, Francis Cotter, Edward 
B. Hand, Francis A. Hicks, Russell Garrett, Samuel Rankin, Nich- 
olas Cotter, Joel W. Garrett, Isaac Long, Thomas Coon Hawk, James 



Is 

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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 153 



Garlow, William Walker. George I. Clark, Benjamin N. C. Anderson, 
Matthew R. Walker, Samuel Priestly, Henry Garrett, William Gibson, 
Presley Mnir, Joel Walker, Isaac Brown, James Long, John Lynch, 
William Trowbridge, John W. Ladd, Daniel McNeal, Edward Fifer, 
Peter D. Clark and Henry W. Porter. Besides the importance of this 
event, the list of names here given serves to show who many of the 
Wyandottes were at this date. 

Abelard Guthrie received every vote cast, and went to Washington as 
the duly accredited delegate of the Territory to the XXXIId Congress. 

By a treaty dated January 31, 1855, the Wyandottes ceded their 
reservation here to the United States, and by the terms of the treaty, 
the United States deeded the lands back to them in severalty, giving to 
each a sufficient number of acres to make up the value of his or her 
share, so that all did not receive the same number of acres, but the 
same amount in value. The lands of the reservation were all deeded 
back except the Indian graveyard — mentioned elsewhere in this work — 
a large church lot to each of the religious denominations known as the 
Methodist Episcopal and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and 
four acres at the ferry landing, and perhaps other small tracts for 
public uses. This treaty granted 'to the Wyandottes the privilege of 
becoming citizens, and the country was opened to the settlement by 
the whites upon buying lands of such Indians as chose to sell, the 
Government having no land in the reservation subject to entry. About 
the same time the lands lying south of the Kansas River became 
subject to settlement by a treaty between the United States and the 
Shawnees. 

The Delawares holding the lands west of and adjoining the Wyan- 
dotte Reservation continued to possess them, and in May, 1860, by 
treaty each member of the tribe was assigned eighty acres of land, to 
be held in severalty, and preference of purchasing the remainder of 
the Delaware land, at not less that $1. 25 per acre, was given to the 
Leavenworth, Pawnee & Western Railroad Company. By means of 
the purchase of this company, a slight settlement of that part of the 
county by the whites commenced soon after. 

By a subsequent treaty with the Delawares dated June 4, 1806, 
the Secretary of the Interior was authorized to sell what then remained 
unsold of the Delaware lands to the Missouri River Railroad Compan}-, 
at not less than $2. 50 per acre. Accordingly, by the terms of the 
treaty, in order to vest every holder of the real estate with a title from 
the Government, all the lands were deeded in trust to Alexander Colwell, 



^1 



;iv 



^'*4^ »^ 




and he gave a deed to each tndian holding an allotment under the 
treaty of 1860. The lands then remaining unsold and unoccupied 
were sold at $2.50 per acre to the railroad syndicate, consisting of 
Tom Scott, of Pennsylvania; Thomas Price, Len T. Smith, Alex 
Colwell, Oliver A. Hart and others to the number of thirteen. These 
lands then came into market, and the settlement of that part of the 
county became more rapid. 

The following is a full copy of the treaty with the Wyandotte 
Indians: 
Franklin Pierce, President of ilie United States of America, To all and 

singular to ichoni these presents shall come, greeting: 

Whereas a treaty vpas made and concluded at the city of Washing- 
ton, on the thirty- tirst day of January, one thousand eight hundred 
and lifty-live, by George W. Mannypenny, as commissioner on the part 
of the United States, and the following-named chiefs and delegates of 
the Wyandott tribe of Indians, viz. : Tau-roo-mee, Mathew Mudeater, 
John Hicks, Silas Armstrong, George I. Clark and Joel Walker, they 
being thereto duly authorized by said tribe, which treaty is in the words 
following, to- wit: 

Articles of agreement and convention made and concluded at the 
city of Washington on the thirty first day of January, one thousand 
eight hundred and fifty-five, by George W. Mannypenny, as commis- 
sioner on the part of the United States, and the following-named 
chiefs and delegates of the Wyandott tribe of Indians, viz. : Tau- 
roo-mee, Mathew Mudeater, John Hicks, Silas Armstrong, George I. 
Clark and Joel Walker, they being duly authorized by said tribe: 

Article 1. The Wyandott Indians having become sufficiently ad- 
vanced in civilization, and being desirous of becoming citizens, it is 
hereby agreed and stipulated, that their organization, and their rela- 
tions with the United States as an Indian tribe, shall be dissolved and 
terminated; except so far as the further and temporary continuance of 
the same may be necessary in the execution of some of the stipulations 
herein, and from and after the date of such ratification, the said Wy- 
andott Indians, and each and every one of them, except as hereinafter 
provided, shall be deemed, and are hereby declared, to be citizens of 
the United States, to all intents and purposes; and shall be entitled to 
all the rights, privileges and immunities of such citizens; and shall, 
in all respects, be subject to the laws of the United States, and of the 
Territory of Kansas, in the same manner as other citizens of said 
Territory; and the jurisdiction of the United States, and of said Ter- 



^c- 



^fV^ 



^ 




ritory, shall be extended over the Wyandott country, in the same man- 
ner as over other parts of said Territory. But such of the said Indians 
as may so desire and make application accordingly, to the commission- 
ers hereinafter provided for, shall be exempt from the immediate op- 
erations of the preceding provisions, extending citizenship to the Wy- 
andott Indians, and shall have continued to them the assistance and 
protection of the United States, and an Indian agent in their vicinity, 
for such a limited period, or periods of time, according to the circum- 
stances of the case, as shall be determined by the commissioner of In- 
dian afPairs; and on the expiration of such period, or periods, the said 
exemption, protection and assistance shall cease, and said persons shall 
then, also, become citizens of the United States; with all the rights 
and privileges, and subject to the obligations, above stated and defined. 

Article 2. The Wyandott Nation hereby cede and relinquish 
to the United States all their rights, title and interest in and to the 
tract of country sitiiate in the fork of the Missouri and Kansas Elvers, 
which was purchased by them of the Delaware Indians, by an agree- 
ment dated the fotirteenth day of December, one thousand eight 
hundred and forty-three, and sanctioned by a joint resolution of Con- 
gress, approved July twenty-fifth, one thousand eight hundred and 
forty-eight, the object of which cession is, that the said lands shall 
be subdivided, assigned and reconveyed, by patent in fee simple, in 
the manner hereinafter provided for, to the individuals and members 
of the Wyandott Nation, in severalty, except as follows, viz. : The 
portion now enclosed and used as a public burying ground shall be 
permanently reserved and appropriated for that purpose; two acres, to 
include the church building of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
including the burying ground connected therewith, are hereby reserved, 
granted and conveyed to that church, and two acres, to include the 
church building of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, are hereby 
reserved, granted and conveyed to said church. Four acres at and 
adjoining the Wyandott ferry, across, and near the mouth of the 
Kansas River, shall also be reserved, and together with the rights of 
the Wyandotts in said ferry, shall be sold to the highest bidder, 
among the Wyandott people, and the proceeds of sale paid over to the 
Wyandotts. On the payment of the purchase money in full, a good 
and sutificient title to be secured and conveyed to the purchaser, by 
patent from the United States. 

Article 3. As soon as practicable, after the ratification of this 
agreement, the United States shall cause the lands ceded in the pre- 






A 



156 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



ceding article to be surveyed into sections, half and quarter sections, 
to correspond with the public surveys in the Territory of Kansas; and 
three commissioners shall be appointed, one by the United States, and 
two by the Wyandott council, whose duty it shall be to cause any 
additional surveys that may be necessary, and to make a fair and 
just division and distribution of the said lands among all the individ- 
uals and members of the Wyandott tribe; so that those assigned to, 
or for each, shall, as nearly as possible, be equal in quantity, and also 
in value, irrespective of the improvements thereon; and the division 
' and assignment of the lands shall be so made as to include the houses, 
and, as far as practicable, the other improvements, of each person or 
family; be in as regular and compact a form as possible, and in- 
clude those for each separate family all together. The judgment and 
decision of said commissioners, on all questions connected with the 
division and assignment of said lands, shall be final. 

On the completion of the division and assignment of the lands, as 
aforesaid, said commissioners shall cause a plat and schedule to be 
made, showing the land assigned to each person or family, and the 
quantity thereof. They shall also make carefully prejsared lists of all 
the individuals and members of the Wyandott tribe — those of each 
separate family being arranged together — which lists shall exhibit, 
separately, first, those families, the heads of which the commissioners, 
after due, inquiry and consideration, shall be satisfied are snfficiently 
intelligent, competent and prudent to control and manage their affairs 
and interests, and also all persons without families. 

Second, those families, the heads of which are not competent and 
proper persons to be entrusted with their shares of the money paya- 
ble under this agreement; and, third, those who are orphans, idiots 
or insane. Accurate copies of the lists of the second and third of the 
above classes shall be furnished by the commissioners to the Wyandott 
council, whereupon said council shall proceed to appoint or designate the 
proper person or persons to be recognized as the representatives of those 
of the second class, for the purpose of receiving andjaroperly applying 
the sums of money due and payable to, or for them, as hereinafter 
provided, and, also, those who are to be entrusted with the guardian- 
ship of the individuals of the third class and the custody and man- 
agement of their rights and interests; the said acts or proceedings of 
the council, duly authenticated, to be forwarded to the commissioner 
of Indian affairs and filed in his office; and the same shall be annu- 
ally revised by the said council until the payment of the last install- 



- di- 




luent of the moneys payable to the Wyandotts, under this agreement, 
and said change, or changes made therein, as may from casualties or 
otherwise become necessary, such revisions and changes, duly au- 
thenticated, to be communicated to, and subject to the approval of 
the commissioner of Indian affairs. The said commissioner shall 
likewise prepare a list of all such persons and families, among the 
Wyandott people, as may apply to be temporarily exempted from 
citizenship, and for continued protection and assistance from the 
United States, and an Indian agent as provided in the first article of 
this agreement. The agent through whom same is to be furnished, 
shall be designated by the commissioner of Indian affairs. 

The aforesaid plat and schedule, and list of persons, didy au- 
thenticated by the commissioners, shall be forwarded to the commis- 
sioner of Indian affairs, and be tiled in his ofiSce, and copies of the 
said plat and schedule, and of the list of persons temporarily exempted 
from citizenship and entitled to the continued protection and assist- 
ance of the United States, and an Indian agent, duly attested by the 
commissioners, shall be tiled by them in each of the offices of the 
secretary of the Territory of Kansas, and the clerk of the county in 
which the Wyandott lands are situated. 

Article 4. On the receipt by the commissioner of Indian affairs of 
the plat and schedule and list of persons, and of the first proceedings of 
the Wyandott council, mentioned in the next preceding article, 
patents shall be issued by the general land office of the United 
States, under the advisement of the commissioner of Indian affairs, to 
the individuals of the Wyandott tribe for the lands severally assigned 
to them, as provided for in the third article of this agreement, in the 
following manner, to wit. : To those reported by the commissioners to 
be competent to be entrusted with the control and management of 
their affairs and interests, the patents shall contain an absolute and 
unconditional grant in fee simple, and shall be delivered to them by 
the commissioner of Indian affairs as soon as they can be prepared 
and recorded in the general land office; but to those not so competent, 
the patents shall contain an express condition that the lands are not 
to be sold or alienated for a period of five years, and not then with- 
out the express consent of the President of the United States first 
being obtained, and the said patents may be withheld by the com- 
missioners of Indian affairs, so long as in his judgment they being 
so withheld may be made to operate beneficially upon the character 
and conduct of the individuals entitled to them. 



D "V 



lo8 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



None of the lands to be thus assigned and patented to the Wyan- 
dotts shall be subject to taxation for a period of five years from and 
after the organization of a State government over the territory where 
they reside; and those of the incompetent classes shall not be aliened 
or leased for a longer period than two years, and shall be exempt from 
levy, sale or forfeiture, until otherwise provided by State legislation, 
with the assent of Congress. 

Article 5. Disinterested persons, not to exceed three, shall he 
appointed by the commissioner of Indian affairs to make a just and 
fair appraisement of the parsonage houses, and other improvements 
connected therewith, on the Wyandott land, belonging to the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 
the amount of which appraisements shall be paid to the said churches, 
respectively, by the individual or individuals of the "Wyandott tribe, 
to whom the land on which said houses and improvements are or shall 
have been assigned under the provisions of this agreement; said pay- 
ments to be made within a reasonable time, in one or more install- 
ments, to be determined by said appraisers, and, until made in 
full, no payment or other evidence of title to the lands so assigned to 
said individual or individuals shall be issued or given to them. 

Akticle 6. The Wyandott Nation hereby relinquish and release 
the United States from all their rights and claims to annuity, school 
moneys, blacksmith establishments, assistance and materials, employ- 
ment of an agent for their benefit, or any other object or thing of a 
national character, and from all the stipulations and guarantees of 
that character provided for or contained in former treaties, as well 
as from any and all other claims or demands whatsoever, as a nation, 
arising under any treaty or transaction between them and the Govern- 
ment of the United States, in consequence of which release and relin ■ 
quishment the United States hereby agree to pay to the Wyandott 
Nation the sum of three hundred and eighty thousand dollars, to be 
equally distributed and paid to all the individuals and members of the 
said nation in three annual installments, payable in the month of 
October, commencing the present year; the shares of the families, 
whose heads the commissioners shall have decided not to be compe- 
tent and proper persons to receive the same, and those of orphans, 
idiots, and insane persons, to be paid to and receij)ted for by the in- 
dividuals designated or appointed by the Wyandott council to act as 
their representatives and guardians. 

Such part of the annuity, under the treaty of one thousand eight 



t 



- — =^=^1^ 

^ ~ I 

■WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 159 



hundred and forty-two, as shall have accrued and may remain unpaid 
at the date of the payment of the iirst of the above mentioned in- 
stallments, shall then be paid to the Wyandotts, and be in full and 
a final discharge of said annuity. 

Article 7. The sum of one hundred thousand dollars, invested 
under the treaty of one thousand eight hundred and fifty, together with 
any accumulation of said principal sum, shall be paid over to the Wyan- 
dotts, in like manner with the three hundred and eighty thousand 
dollars, mentioned in the next preceding article; but in two eqiial 
annual installments, commencing one year after the payment of the 
last installment of the said above-mentioned sum. In the meantime, 
the interest on the said invested fund, and on any accumulation 
thereof, together with the amount which shall be realized from the 
disposition of the ferry and the land connected therewith, the sale of 
which is provided for in the second article of this agreement, shall 
be paid over to the Wyandott council, and applied and expended by 
regular appropriation of the legislative committee of the AVyandott 
Nation for the support of schools, and for other purposes of a strictly 
national or public character. 

Ahticle 8. The persons to be included in this treaty, regarding 
the payment of money to be divided and paid under the pro- 
visions of this agreement, shall be such only as are actual mem- 
bers of the Wyandott Nation, their heirs and legal representatives, at 
the date of the ratification hereof, and as are entitled to share in the 
property and funds of said nation, according to the laws, usages and 
customs thereof. 

Article 9. It is stipulated and agreed that each of the individuals, 
to whom reservations were granted by the fourteenth article of the 
treaty of March seventeenth, one thousand eight hundred and forty- 
two, or their heirs or legal representatives, shall be permitted to select 
and locate said reservations on any government lands west of the 
States of Missouri and Iowa, subject to pre-emption and settlement, 
said reservations to be patented by the United States, in the names of 
the reservees, as soon as practicable after the selections are made; and 
the reservees, their heirs or proper representatives, shall have the un- 
restricted right to sell and convey the same whenever they may think 
proper; but in cases where any of said reservees may not be suffi- 
ciently prudent and competent to manage their affairs in a proper 
manner, which shall be determined by the Wyandot council, or where 
anv of them have died, leaving minor heirs, the said council shall 



160 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



appoint proper and discreet persons to act for such incompetent per- 
sons, and minor heirs, in the sale of the reservations and the custody 
and management of the proceeds thereof, the persons so appointed to 
have full authority to sell and dispose of the reservations in such cases, 
and to make and execute a good and valid title thereto. 

The selections of said reservations, upon being reported to the sur- 
veyor-general of the district in which they are made, shall be entered 
upon the township plats, and reported without delay to the commis- 
sioner of the general land office, and patents issued to the reservees 
accordingly. And any selections of, settlements upon, or claim to 
land included in any of said reservations, made by any person or per- 
sons, after the same shall have been selected liy the reservees, their 
heirs or legal representatives, shall be null and void. 

Article 10. It is expressly understood that all the expenses con- 
nected with the subdivision and assignment of the Wyandott lands, as 
provided for in the third article hereof, or with any other measure or 
proceeding, which shall be necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this agreement, shall be borne and defrayed by the Wyandotts, except 
those of the survey of the lands into sections, half and quarter sec- 
tions, the issue of the patents, and the employment of the commis- 
sioner to be appointed by the United States; which shall l)e paid by 
the United States. 

Akticle 11. This instrument shall be obligatory on the contract- 
ing parties, whenever the same shall be ratified by the President and 
the Senate of the United States. 

In testimony whereof, the said George W. Mannypenny, commis- 
sioner as aforesaid, and the said chiefs and delegates of the Wyan- 
dott tribe of Indians, have hereunto set their hands and seals, at the 
place and on the day and year hereinbefore written: 

George W. Mannypenny, [l. s. 

Tau-boo-mee, his X mark, [l. s. 

Mathew Mudeatee, his X mark, [l. s. 
John Hicks, his X mark, [l. s. 

Silas Armstrong, • [l. s. 

George I. Clark, [l. s. 

Joel Walker, [l. s. 

Executed in presence of 

A. Gumming, Superintendent of Indian Affairs. 
Egbert S. Neighbors, Special Agent. 
Will P. Eoss, Cherokee Delegate. 
J. F. Cochrane. 



"IT. 



T^ 



^ 



■WYANDOTTE COUNTY. IBl 



And, Whereas, the said treaty having been submitted to the Senate 
of the United States, for its constitutional action thereon, the Senate 
did on the twentieth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and 
fifty-five, advise and consent to the ratification of its articles, by the 
following resolution : 
In executive session. Senate of the United States, February 20, 1855. 

Resolved (two-thirds of the Senators present concurring), That 
the Senate advise and consent to the ratification of the articles of 
agreement and convention made and concluded at the city of Wash- 
ington, on the thirty-first day of January, one thousand eight hundred 
and fifty-five, by George W. Mannypenny, as commissioner on the 
part of the United States, and the following named chiefs and dele- 
gates of the Wyandott tribe of Indians, viz.: Tauroo-mee, Mathew 
Mudeater, John Hicks, Silas Armstrong, George I. Clark and Joel 
Walker, they being thereto duly authorized by said tribe. 

AsBURY Dickens, Secretary. 

Now, therefore, be it known, that I, Franklin Pierce, President of 
the United States of America, do, in pursuance of the advice and con- 
sent of the Senate as expressed in their resolution of February 
twentieth, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, accept, ratify, 
and confirm the said treaty. 

In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of the United States 

to be hereto affixed, having signed the same with my hand. 

[l.s. ] Done at the city of Washington, this first day of March, in 

the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 

fifty-five, and of the Independence of the United States, the seventj'- 

ninth. 

By the President, Franklin Pierce. 

W. L. Marcy, Secretarij. 

Soon after the Wyandottes ceded their lands to the Government, in 
1855, the surveyor-general for the Territory of Kansas, Mr. John Cal- 
houn, came here and established his office in a double log house which 
stood at what is now the northeast corner of State Avenue and Fourth 
Street, partly in the street. The same year Col. Charles A. Manners 
and Joseph Ludlow accompanied by Mr. Thomas J. Barker, a pioneer 
citizen still living in old 'Wyandotte, and others, surveyed and estab- 
lished the line between the present States of Kansas and Nebraska 
from the Missouri River west to the point selected by them for the 
crossing of the Sixth Principal Meridian. One of these gentlemen 
then extended the meridian northward and the other extended it south- 



i> "V ' 



lt)2 HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



ward. North of the base line (now State line) they ran standard par- 
allels from the meridian line to the Missouri River at intervals of 
twenty- four miles; and south of the base line they ran standard par- 
allels from the meridian line to the Missouri River at intervals of 
thirty miles, all this preparatory to subdividing the territory into 
townships and ranges. As soon as the second standard parallel 
south of the base line was run and established, contracts were let to 
deputy United States surveyors for the subdivision and sectionizing of 
the AVyandotte reservation. The first contract for this purpose was 
awarded to Deputy Surveyor Colwell, who in the same year sur- 
veyed and subdivided fractional Township 10 south, Range 25 east. 
Contracts were let to other deputy surveyors, and the subdivision of the 
reservation was soon thereafter completed. A contract was let to Mr. 

, who employed Thomas J. Barker, now of Kansas City, Kas., 

to assist him, but on going to his work he by mistake went to a town- 
ship that had been surveyed, and did actually resurvey a portion of 
it, claiming that it was in his contract; on being convinced of his 
error, he stopped work, got on a •• big drunk," and made no further sur- 
vey of the reservation. 

After the surveys were completed, and the Indians received titles 
to the lands ' allotted to them in the last treaty, they began, in the 
winter of 1856-57, to dispose of their lands to the white settlers. 
However, as they were not obliged to sell, some of them remained as 
long as they lived. But the great bulk of them sold out, and moved 
to their present location in the Indian Territory, where it is said that 
over 200 of them yet survive. 

While speaking of the early settlers of Wyandotte County, it is 
well to mention a number of prominent Wyandotte Indians, who were 
civilized and considerably enlightened, had improved the country, 
were here and became citizens by treaty in 1855, when the settlement 
by the whites actually began. They had dropped their Indian titles 
and assumed English names. Among the most prominent ones who 
had settled on and about the present site of the city of Kansas, were 
William Walker, once a chief of the Wyandottes, who lived on what is 
now Halleck Street, south of Troup Avenue, and Joel Walker, his 
brother, who lived west of Third Street, between Oakland and Everett 
Avenues, and Isaiah Walker, their nephew, who lived on Freeman 
Avenue, between Eighth and Ninth Streets. Matthew R. Walker 
lived where Fowler's large residence now stands, west of Walnut 
Street and near Troup Avenue. Silas Armstrong lived at the present 



-*^^ 




northwest corner of Minnesota Avenue and Fifth Street in a brick 
house. Mrs. Matilda Hicks lived on the north side of Quindaro 
Boulevard, between Eighth and Ninth Streets. Isaac W. Brown lived 
on the southeast corner of State and Fourth Streets, and the council - 
house stood on the northeast corner of the same streets. The council - 
house was a frame building. Matthias Splitlog lived on what was 
then known as Splitlog' s Hill. He was a Mohawk Indian, but his 
wife was a Wyandotte. Mrs. Hannah Armstrong, the mother-in-law of 
Splitlog, lived in what is now the southern part of the city on a tract 
of land traversed by the Union Pacific Railway. Mrs. Lucy B. Arm- 
strong resided at what is now called Wyandotte Place, near the North- 
western depot, her present residence. 

Charles B. Garrett, a white man who married a sister of the 
Walkers, resided east of Seventh Street, between Virginia and Gar- 
field Avenues. H. M. Northrup, also a white man, and now the presi- 
dent of the Northrup Banking Company, who had previously settled 
on the Missouri side of the river, settled in Wyandotte in 1855, and 
lived in a log house on the south side of what is now Minnesota Ave- 
nue, at the crossing of Eighth Street. At the same time Isaac Zane, 
a Wyandotte, lived in a brick house on what is known as the Hurla 
tract. It is said of him. that he worked seven years in the vain at- 
tempt to invent perpetual motion. George I. Clark, a Wyandotte, lived 
north of the present Quindaro Boulevard, between Seventeenth and 
Eighteenth Streets, where E. D. Brown now resides. In the spring 
of 1858 the erysipelas prevailed in this new settlement with much 
fatality, and among those who died with the disease were Mr. Clark 
and his wife and daughter. Mr. Charles B. Garrett and Mr. H. M. 
Northrup, being connected with the Wyandottes by marriage, were 
adopted as members of their tribe and council. The others mentioned 
were mostly half-breeds with the whites, and, therefore, have been 
prominently mentioned here as early settlers. 

The following communication, wi'itten by Mr. D. B. Hadley, and 
which was published in the Kansas City Globe of February 10, 1890, 
gives considerable information concerning the noted Indian named 
Splitlog, and some others. It reads as follows: 

'• In 1857 the AVyandotte City Company bought the land out of which 
they platted Wyandotte City. While negotiating with owners of prop- 
erty here, the secretary of the company, W. T. Roberts, applied to 
Matthias Splitlog to purchase his allotment, which lies in the south- 
eastern part of the land desired for the city. Splitlog listened atten- 



tively to the proposition to purchase his land, and when the time came 
for him to say whether he would accept it or not, all that could be 
got out of him were the words, 'Good for you, good for me.' So he 
kept his land. He lived at that time on what is known as Split] og's 
Hill. His log house stood between Barnett and Tauromee Avenues 
and Fourth and Fifth Streets. It commanded a view of the Kaw and 
Missouri Valleys for miles, and Kansas City, Mo. Here he lived until 
1860, the dry year, when he built for George P. Nelson a small steam- 
boat, to ply on the upper waters of the Missouri Eiver. When this 
boat was launched in 1860, hew.ent as engineer, and George Schreiner 
went as pilot on her. Mr. Nelson was captain. In the early part of 
1861 she plied between Atchison and Wyandotte, in the transportation 
of aid goods sent to Kansas sufferers. Capt. Nelson said he did not 
want a more skillful engineer than Splitlog. 

" In the fall of 1861 the Union troops were intrenched at Lexington, 
Mo., under Col. Mulligan. Price was marching on that place. Squads 
were sent out by Mulligan to press into service everybody and every- 
thing that could help defend. Nelson's boat was pressed into service 
here, to carry men and supplies down the Missouri Eiver to Lexington. 
Sj)litlog and Schreiner were both on the boat, and compelled to act as 
engineer and pilot. They ran the boat down to Lexington just before 
Price surrounded it with his army, and had to remain there until Mul- 
ligan surrendered, when they were paroled with the other prisoners. 
Splitlog was paroled at 8 a. m., and at 2 p. m. he was on the .streets at 
Wyandotte. He had come the forty miles between Lexington and 
Wyandotte in six hours on foot. Schreiner lost an arm during the 
siege. A cannon ball from Price's battery came ricochetting toward 
him, and struck his arm just below the shoulder, taking it off. Many 
anecdotes are told of Splitlog' s shrewdness. Two years ago he had 
agreed to sell seventy acres of land along the west bank of the Kaw 
for 1140,000, to a company from Kansas City, Mo. Thej' were to 
meet to close the trade at Northrup's bank at 10 a. m. on a certain day. 

" Splitlog was there before the time, and kept his eye on the clock. 
Punctually as the hour hand pointed 10 o'clock, the other party not 
being there, he put on his hat and walked down Minnesota Avenue. 
Just this side of Third Street he met the purchasers on their route 
over to close the trade. They told him they were ready to close up. 
He replied: 'Can't do it to-day.' Knowing it was no use to argue 
with him, they asked him when he would attend to it. He replied: 
'Morrow, 10 o'clock.' So they departed, and were sure to show up 






when 10 o'clock came. On meeting at Northrup's, they informed him 
they were all ready. In his usual laconic style he said: 'Can't sell 
for §140,000; must have $160,000.' Knowing he could not be moved, 
they raised $20,000 more, and produced the $160,000, which was 
mostly in greenbacks, with some gold. Quick as he saw the kind of 
money, he said: 'Can't take paper; must have gold.' Again the 
company yielded, and drove post haste to Kansas City, Mo., hired six 
hacks, scraped through enough banks to procure the gold, and drove 
like Jehus back to Northrup's bank. When the money was piled upon 
a table, he said to Northrup, 'Count her.' When Northrup counted 
it and reported it, Splitlog spent a full half hour pawing it over and 
feasting his eyes on it. Then he said to Northrup, 'Give "em deed.' 
The trade being complete, he deposited the money with Northrup's 
bank. He would have opened his eyes wide if he had seen these same 
teams that brought the gold over receive it again, and drive back to 
Missouri as soon as Splitlog left Northrup's bank. 

" Splitlog was not born in the Wyandotte Nation, but was a native 
of a Canada tribe below Detroit. He was adopted into the Wyandotte 
Nation in Ohio, prior to coming here in 1843. He married a Wyandotte 
woman. In 1874 he moved to the Indian Territory with the Wyan- 
dottes, and owns a large tract of land in the W' yandotte Nation. He 
has a family of half a dozen children. His eldest son, Jo, died rather 
suddenly in 1887, just after having returned from court in Wyandotte 
County to his home in the Territory. A man named Clay had forged 
the name of Splitlog and his wife to a power of attorney, authorizing 
Clay to sell their land here, in and near this city. Under this power 
of attorney, Clay had conveyed two tracts of their land here, one of sev- 
enty-five acres, and another of fifty to railroad companies. Split- 
log sued and had the conveyances set aside as void. Several other suits 
were had between the parties, but Splitlog was always victorious. He 
prosecuted Clay in Southern Missouri for forgery, had him convicted 
and sent to the penitentiary for ten years. He is still there serving 
out his sentence. When Splitlog comes to this city to see after his 
property he never goes to a hotel, but invariably stops with a negro 
who became his tenant after he moved to the Indian Territory. He is 
economical. Besides he seems to have a liking for the colored race, 
as he has permitted one of his daughters to marry a colored man. 

"He owns large interests in the western part of Missouri, near the 
Indian Territory. He has laid out and platted a town there called 
Splitlog. He has built a railroad from Neosho, Mo. , south about lifty 



I , 1 -— — -— rrH 



166 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



miles. He is now seeking a connection with Kansas City either by 
building a new road or by joining one already built. It is said that he 
is worth already $1,000,000, and his real estate is still advancing 
in value. He is known as the millionaire Indian, and is the only In- 
dian ever rated at $1,000,000. In religion he is a Catholic. His 
first sales of land on Splitlog Hill were made to Catholics, one of 
them being to a pioneer bishop for a church, school and home for the 
sisters. 

"He appears to be about one-half white blood. He stands about 
five feet eight inches, is at least seventy years old, and has a dark, 
swarthy countenance, but not the usual high cheek bones. Many a 
foreigner from Italy and France is as dark as he. In a crowd, among 
strangers, if he kept silent, few would take him for an Indian. He is 
a born machinist. He had a mill near his house soon after he came 
here from Ohio, where he ground grists of corn by horse-power, built 
by himself. It had no covering, but the frame was made of large 
square timbers. It stood there as late as 1860, but had been out of 
use several years. He built a saw-mill during the war near Arm- 
strong, and the motive power was a steam engine jjut in by himself. 
After he arrived in the Indian Territory he built a saw-mill and a 
grist mill for both wheat and corn. Both mills were run by steam put 
in by himself. He is a very quiet man, of very few words, and most 
strictly honest. The writer of this has heard many years ago what 
episode it was that gave him the name Splitlog; but as near as he now 
remembers the legend, it is about like this: At the time of his birth 
his mother was at work with other Indian women out in the field near 
a log that had been split open, and as she gave birth to him near that 
split log, she named him after it. Certain it is he has always borne 
that name ever since he was adopted into the Wyandotte Nation. He 
has ever been regarded as an honorable and reliable man. 

" He has already lived beyond the average age of the leading Wyan- 
dottes — Silas Armstrong was not much over fifty when he died, in 1866. 
Matthew Walker must have been only about fifty when he died. Will- 
iam Walker, his brother, known as "Governor" Walker, was not over 
sixty-five years old at his death. Very few ever reached seventy. 
John Sacabass and Mathew Mudeater were not over seventy at their 
deaths. Tauroomee (or John Hat, as he was anglicized) was as old and 
perhaps older than any Wyandotte who has died in the last quarter of 
a century. He was between seventy and eighty. But Splitlog bids 
fair to reach a greater age than anj' of them. He is still robust and 



-.\^ 



_^ 9 i'' 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 167 



active. He has no education, not being able to read or write, Imt lie 
employs a clerk who is educated." 

On June 4, 1890, James Clark, of Amhurstburg, Canada, a Wyan- 
dotte Indian, eighty-five years of age, visited Kansas City, Kas. He 
is a half-brother of George I. Clark, the Wyandotte, who is buried in 
the Huron Place Cemetery. In company with Mr. H. M. Northrup, 
Mr. Clark visited the cemetery and saw his brother's grave — perhaps 
for the last time. The next day he proceeded on his way to the 
Indian Territory to visit Matthias Splitlog and others. 

The leading chiefs of the Wyandottes, fi'om the time they settled 
in 1843, until they became citizens in 1855, were Francis A. Hicks, 
Tau-roo-mee, James Bigtree, James Washington, Sarahass, George 
Armstrong, John Gibson. John W. Gray-Eyes. Henry Jaques, Will- 
iam Walker, Silas Armstrong, George I. Clark, Mathew Mudeater, 
and George G. Clarke. The first United States agent to the Wyan- 
dottes, in Kansas, was Maj. Phillips, of Columbus, Ohio; interpreters, 
John M. Armstrong and George I. Clark. The second United States 
agent was Dr. Eichard M. Hewitt; the third and last, exclusively for 
the Wyandottes, Maj. Moselej-. William Walker and Silas Armstrong 
were interpreters from 1849 to the close of the agency. 

The following, furnished by D. B. Hadley, now the oldest resident 
lawyer in Wyandotte County, will be read with interest: 

•• The Wyandottes were much more advanced in civilization than 
either the Delawares or Shawnees. They cultivated farms, built houses 
and barns, planted orchards and opened roads. They owned and 
worked a ferry over the Kansas River, near its mouth. Several of the 
more advanced in civilization and learning engaged in mercantile 
business, in Kansas City and Wyandotte. Among these were Joel 
Walker, Isaiah Walker and Henry Garrett. One of their number, 
John M. Armstrong, Avas a lawyer, having studied and practiced in 
Ohio, before coming here. Silas Armstrong, his brother, was more 
than half white, well educated, intelligent and wealthy. William 
Walker, among strangers, would be taken for a full white man. He 
was educated, had been postmaster in Ohio, and wrote interestingly 
for newspapers, and frequently delivered lectures of much interest. 
He was provisional governor, and a member of the Territorial Legis- 
lature after it was organized. Besides the Indian language, he spoke 
English and French. A perfect gentlemen in bearing, he lived here 
until 1875, when he died at the home of a friend in Kansas City. 
Matthew Walker, his brother, lived on his farm in the northern part 



^1 



1 



168 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



of Wyandotte City. His brick residence stood upon an eminence 
north of Jersey Creek, corresponding to Splitlog's Hill, south of Jer- 
sey Creek. He died in 1860. Joel Walker, another brother, died in 
the fall of 1857. George T. Clark lived in Quindaro Township, and 
died in 1857. Francis Hicks lived about a mile northwest of the 
mouth of the Kaw, and died in 1855. His father, John Hicks, lived 
one mile farther west, and died in 1852. Half a mile west of John 
Hicks was Jacob Whiteerow, who Jived there until he emigrated to the 
Indian Territory, in 1871. A little southeast of Whiteerow lived Rob- 
ert Eobitaille, who went to the Indian Territory, with the tribe. He 
was at one time county treasurer. Noah E. Zane lived about seven 
miles west of the mouth of the Kaw, and was chiefly noted for the ex- 
cellent fruit which he raised. He died in 1807. Charles B. Garrett 
lived just north of Jersey Creek, and a half mile west of the Missouri 
River. He died in 1868. Esquire Gray-Eyes, the unschooled but 
learned and eloquent exhorter of the Wyandottes, lived between George 
I. Clark's and Francis Hicks'. His son, John, was well educated, and 
often acted as interpreter, going to the Indian Territory with his tribe. 
Abelard Guthrie, the delegate to the XXXIId Congress, was a white 
man, but married Quindaro Brown, was adopted into the tribe, and 
lived with her until 1868, when he went to Washington, where he died 
about the year 1873. Mathew Mudeater lived two miles west of the 
mouth of the Kaw. and had an excellent orchard. Of the Delaware 
Indians, who still live in the county, may be mentioned Lewis Ketch- 
um, about ten miles west of Wyandotte; Isaac Johnnycake lived ten 
miles west of Wyandotte till he moved to the Indian Territory, with 
his tribe, in 1807. He was employed by Gen. Fremont, with twelve 
others, to pilot the party of explorers over the Rocky Mountains. Be- 
ing a very warm friend of the 'Pathfinder,' when the war began, he 
raised a company of thirty Delaware braves, and joined Gen. Fremont. 
But when his friend was removed, Johnnycake refused to follow his 
successor, disbanded his troops and went home. From that time he 
took no part in the war. He was assassinated in the Indian Territory, 
in 1875. Charles Johnnycake, his brother, lived at the edge of the 
timber, where the prairie begins, fifteen miles west of Wyandotte. His 
place was a stage station on the route between Wyandotte and Leaven- 
worth in 1858."" 

The first permanent white settler in the territory now composing 
Wyandotte County was Moses Grinter, who, in 1831, located on the 
north side of Kansas River, in Section 21, Town 11 south. Range 23 



^^ 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 169 



east, and lived there until Lis death, June 14. 187S. He was sent to 
this point by the Government to establish and maintain a ferry across 
the river on the old Fort Scott and Leavenworth military road. He 
was for many years a lonely white resident among the Indians — the 
Delawares on the north and the Shawnees on the south side of the 
river. The general settlement by the whites, however, did not begin 
until the Wyandotte reservation became subject to settlement under 
the treaty of 1855. Among the leading white settlers of that year, 
in addition to those already mentioned with the Wyandottes, were the 
following: Thomas J. Barker, who came from Virginia, and was the 
first postmaster of Wyandotte, and who is still living in the city, and 
Maj. W. P. Overton, from Missouri. John H. Ladd, the father-in- 
law of Joel Walker, came from Connecticut with his wife and daugh- 
ters, and lived with Mr. Walker. The latter owned a negro man and 
woman as slaves. They were the only colored people then on the 
town site. They lived in a log cabin. In the winter of 1855-56, 
John MeCalpin, Daniel Killen and Gov. W. Y. Roberts became set- 
tlers. Hon. Mark Delahay came in 1857, and was afterward ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln as jiidge of the United States District 
Court. The same year William L. McMath came from Ohio. About 
this time A. C. Davis, attorney- general of the Territory, came from 
New York, and P. Sidney Post came from Illinois. (He was after- 
ward minister to Vienna.) Also E. R. Smith, a special mail agent, 
came from Mississippi, Dr. J. E. Bennett from Maryland, John M. 
Funk and J. W. H. Watson from Pennsylvania, and E. L. Busche 
from Prussia. J. R. Parr, the first mayor of Wyandotte, George 
Russell, Dr. J. P. Root, from New England, T. B. Eldridge, F. A. 
'Hunt, O. B. Gunn (an engineer). Dr. George B. AVood and John H. 
Millar all settled here about the year 1857. 

J. W. Johnson came in 1855, and was subsequently a probate 
judge. S. A. Cobb and his brother-in-law, Ivan D. Heath, came in 
1858. Mr. Cobb subsequently became a member of Congress. J. S. 
Stockton and Isaac B. Sharp came from Ohio in 1858. Gov. James 
McGrew, who now lives in a tine residence in the city, surrounded 
with a magnificent natural lawn, came from Iowa in 1857. Gen. 
William Weer, from Illinois, settled here in 1856. .\bout the same 
time the following named persons also settled at Wyandotte City: 
Dr. F. Speck, John E. Zeitz, Hester A. Halford, Mrs. J. W. Huskins, 
L. H. Wood, N. A. Rheinecker, C. S. Glick, George D. B. Bowling, 
Joseph Halford. and others. 
1 1 



170 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



Early in 1857 the following individuals settled at Quindaro : George 
W. Veale, V. J. Lane, now of the Wyandotte Herald; S. N. Simp- 
son, Charles Robinson, Albert D. Richardson, author of " Field, 
Dungeon and Escape," and '" Beyond the Mississippi;" John W. Wal- 
den, since agent of the Methodist Book Concern, at Cincinnati; S. C. 
Smith, who was private secretary of Gov. Robinson; P. T. Colby, 
appointed United State.s marshal by President Buchanan; Fielding 
Johnson, agent of the Delawares; Alfred Gray, who was the first 
mayor of Quindaro; M. B. Newman, Perley Pike, Charles Chadwick, 
Morris Sherman and Owen C. Russell. 

As Kansas is a free State, it does not often occur to the minds of 
people, especially to young people not posted in history, that slavery 
once existed here. Many of the early settlers who came from the slave 
States brought their human chattels along and subjected them to slav- 
ery here, the same as they had done at their former homes. This cus- 
tom was not sanctioned by law, but on the contrary was actually pro- 
hibited by the famous law known as the Missouri Compromise. On 
March 25, 1854, William Walker, the half breed Wyandotte chief, 
wrote: " Slavery exists here among the Indians and whites in defiance 
of the compromise of 1820." 

In 1844, the first year after the Wyandotte Indians occupied their 
lands here, they selected a beautiful spot of ground on a high ridge, 
in a shady grove, as a burial place for their dead. Nearly half a cen- 
tury has since rolled away, and this burial ground is now in the heart 
of Kansas City, Kas. This cemetery was established when there was 
much sickness and many deaths in the Wyandotte Nation, in conse- 
quence of the long protracted rains and great floods in May and June, 
1844, and there were many biirials there in both 1844 and 1845, and 
the graves made then can not now be identified, nor the subsequent 
graves made for the victims of the cholera in 1850. Mrs. Lucy B. 
Armstrong, who came with the Wyandottes in 1843, and has lived 
here ever since, and who is acknowledged by all to be the best author- 
ity on the eaily history of this county, especially as pertaining to her 
tribe, says in an article published in the Gazette of June 4, 1890: 
' ' To the best of my recollection and belief, I think that between the 
years of 1844 and 1855 there were at least four hundred interments 
there, and the most of those graves are not perceptible and can not be 
identified or even found. There were no tombstones placed there in 
all those years." 

Article 2, of the " Treaty between the United States and the Wy- 



WYANDOTTE COUNTy. 171 



andott* Indiaus,"' made January 31, 1855, contains matter pertaining 
to this cemetery, as referred to on a former page. 

On behalf of the Wyandottes, Silas Armstrong, Sr. , George I. 
Clark, Joel Walker, John Hicks, Tauroo-mee and Mathew Mudeater 
signed that treaty, believing that the question of the permanency of 
the burying ground was settled for all time, and the four first named 
died with that belief, and were buried there. Afterward, two of these 
men, Silas Armstrong and Joel Walker, became members of the Wy- 
andotte City Company— Mr. Armstrong being its president. 

The square or block containing the burial ground originally con- 
tained a small tract west of the latter belonging to H. M. Northrup. 
From this tract he donated to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 
a lot which became the northwest corner of the square, as marked on 
the original plat of the city. The city company donated the other 
three corners to other religious denominations, as sites for church 
buildings, and placed in the deeds of conveyance, as a condition of 
ownership, a clause providing that the property should ever be held 
for church purposes. The balance of the square— being the larger 
portion thereof, and lying east of the burial ground— was donated to 
the city for a public park, and was named " Huron Place." 

The donations to the churches were made to prevent encroachments 
upon the burial ground and park. It was evidently the intention of 
the donors— the original City Company— to place such safeguards 
around the burial ground as to forever protect the remains of their 
dead from disturbance. How far their wishes have been observed 
may be seen from the fact that the ground given to the First Pres- 
byterian Church, and that donated by Mi-. Northrup to the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, has been sold and the proceeds have been 
used to purchase other sites and erect other edifices; and Huron 
Place, instead of being used as a park, is now the site of the Central 
school-house. The stand-pipe of the city water works stands on the 
same square, directly west of the cemetery, and south of the old site 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The square or block con- 
taining these several grounds lies between Minnesota Avenue on the 
north and Ann Avenue on the south and Sixth Street on the east 
and Seventh Street on the west. The burial ground comprises about 
two acres, and averages some twelve feet higher than the streets 
around the square. It is pleasantly shaded with natural forest trees, 
such as black walnut, elm and oak. Some of the smaller trees are 
*So spelkMl ill the treaty! ~ ~~ " 






172 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



covered with wild grape vines, and the place, in its neglected condi- 
tion, aside from the headstones and monuments, has the appearance 
of a primeval forest. It is picturesque, and on account of its eleva- 
tion, it commands a good view of the surrounding city. There sleep 
many of the dead of that civilized, enlightened and now almost ex- 
tinct tribe of Wyandotte Indians, so mixed with the whites that many 
of them had more white than Indian blood in their veins. Over the 
graves of Silas Armstrong and wife a costly and handsome monument 
has recently been erected. On one face of the monument is this in- 
scription: 

Silas Armstrong, 
Died Dec. 14, 1865, 
Aged 55 Yrs. 11 Mo's, 11 D's. 
The pioneer of the Wyandott Indians to the Kansas Valley in 1842. 
The leading man and constant friend of the Indians. A devout 
Christian and a good Mason. He leaves the craft on earth and goes 
with joy to the Great Architect. 

On another face of the monument are the following words: 

Zelinda Armstrong, 

Born Dec. 3, 1820. Died Feb. 10, 1883. 

Over another grave is a tombstone with this inscription: 

Geo. I. Clark, 

Head Chief of the Wyandott Nation. 

Born June 10, 1802. Died January 25, 1858. 

Catharine, 

Wife of Geo. I. Clark, died January, 1858. 

Among others of the tribe and of the pioneer settlers buried here 
were M. R. Walker, Joel Walker, Charles B. Garrett, James Rankin, 
George Armstrong, Francis A. and John Hicks, John W. Ladd, wife 
and daughter, Swan Peacock, James Washington, an old time ruler, 
and his wife and others. 

The question now is, "Shall the rest of these long buried aborig- 
ines of America be broken? Shall their bones be taken from their now 
beautiful resting place and be transplanted in another spot?" The 
matter admits of practical thought, and were it not for the dividing 
sentiment existing in reference thereto, little doubt is felt but that 
the city authorities would recommend a change of location, as the 
final burial place for the members of the historic tribe. 



?Ji 



— 1 1® 







On May 14, 1890, Senator Plumb iotrodaced a joint resolution 
looking forward to the sale of the graveyard. In the resolution is 
framed the statement that the old burying ground has become a 
nuisance, and that a majority of the Wyandotte tribes are in favor of 
moving the remains of their ancestors, friends and other relatives to a 
more secluded spot, where they may rest undisturbed forever. 

The proposition is to effect a sale of their present graveyard, re- 
move dead therefrom to Quindaro and with the proceeds of sale render 
the new place more beautiful than the old, and perpetuate the same by 
endowment. The amount calculated upon from the sale is 1100,000, 
which amount would amply provide for the fiiture of the new burial spot. 
There is no doubt but ready purchasers are to be found for the ground 
as soon as a clear title can be given. Although it is asserted in the 
resolution that a majorit.y of the survivors of the tribe are in favor of 
moving the remains of their ancestors, those remaining at Kansas 
City are believed to be opposed to it. As the Indians have nearly all 
moved away, leaving only a few cf their representatives here, Huron 
Place Cemetery has not been extensively used far many years for burial 
purposes, and in regard to health, it certainly can not be said to be 
a nuisance. Its continuance can only be objected to on the ground 
that it is wanted for other purposes. To the practical citizen occurs the 
thought that necessity demands the change, but in the minds of those 
whose lives have been linked in that which goes to make up the his- 
tory of this tribe of Indians, there is a different view. Of those in- 
terested in this question, none are more prominent than H. M. North- 
rup, president of the Northrup Banking Comjiany, who has been an 
adopted member of the tribe ever since 1845, and Mrs. Lucy B. Arm- 
strong, who was adopted by the tribe in April, 1838, when she was 
married to J. M. Armstrong, a member of the tribe, at the reservation 
in Ohio. 

Mr. Northrup is personally ojiposed to the sale of the cemetery, 
and thinks that a majority of the surviving Wyandottes are also 
averse to it. Mrs. Lucy B. Armstrong, residing at Wyandotte place, 
in Kansas City, Kas., near the Northwestern railroad depot, is now 
about seventy-two years old. In regard to the sale of Huron 
Place Cemetery, she speaks for herself as follows: " To remove the 
' burying-ground' now would be to scatter the dust of the dead to the 
winds. What a sacrilege! I remember with reverence many of the 
good Wyandots buried there, and my heart protests against such a 
desecration of that sacred ground. Such a sale is repugnant to every 



) >y ' 



,4^ 



174 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



sentiment, we cherish for our dead, as well also as being offensive to 
the highest impulses of a Christian civilization." 

The tirst marriage in the territory now composing Wyandotte 
County was that of Hiram M. Northrup to Miss Margaret Clark, a 
member of the Wyandotte Nation. This marriage was celebrated at 
the Methodist Episcopal parsonage, November 27, 184:5, by Rev. 
James Wheeler, missionary for the Wyandottes. The records of the 
marriages occurring here before the county was organized, were, of 
course, kept in Leavenworth, the original county. The first marriage 
certificate recorded in Wyandotte County reads as follows: 

I hereby certify that on the eleventh day of July, A. D. , 1859, I 
solemnized the marriage of Mr. John Trasher with Miss Annie Bever- 
ing, both of Wyandotte City, in the county of aforesaid. 

Byron Judd, 

-Justice of the Peace. 

It is generally amusing to read the marriage certificates of the 
ministers and justices of the peace among the pioneer settlers of any 
portion of the country. The queer expressions, the extreme brevity of 
some, and the long and .specific language of others, give interesting 
variety. The second certificate recorded was written by a minister 
who seems to have been fond of capital letters, and not particular 
about their proper use. It reads as follows: 

This certifies that on the Fourteenth day of April, in the year of 
our Lord, Eighteen Hundred and Fifty-nine. Charles H. Suydam and 
Eliza M. Kinney, Both of Wyandotte City, Kansas Territory, appeared 
before me at the residence of the Bride's Mother, in said Town, and 
were duly united in marriage. 

S. D. Stores. 
Pastor of 1st Cong. C. H. Wyandotte. 

The following certificates are noticeable for brevity: 

I joined in marriage on the 31st July, 1859, Johanna McMahon 
and John Kineary. 

John J. Magee, E. C. 
Pastor, Wyandotte. 

This was evidently the Roman Catholic priest who did not believe 
in many words. W. Fish, who was also a Roman Catholic priest, 
though his official title is not shown by the record, was also a man of 
few words, as will appear by the following: 

On the 15th day of June, 1859, Thomas Doody and Maiy Nary 
were married by me. W. Fish. 



^ 



That equals Magee for brevity, and is very specific so far as it 
goes, but on a trial requiring proof of relationship, a court might en- 
quire where these persons were married, and what right W. Fish had 
to perform the ceremony. In the next certificate Mr. Fish changes 
his phraseology, and says: 

On the 3d day of July, A. D. 1S59, were married by rae at Wyan- 
dotte, Henry Frank and Mary McCann. W. Fish. 

It appears from the record that the pioneer settlers of the county 
were rapidly fulfilling the Scriptural injunction to get married, but 
they took Greeley's advice and went west first, and then got married, 
and grew up with the country. From the following it seems that the 
Roman Catholic priest did a good business in "joining together: '' 

I certify that I married on '2'2d March, 18<50, John P. Faher and 
Catharine Reser. John J. Magee. 

Also on February 21st, Honora Walsh and Anthony McGrath. 

John J. Magee. 

Also on Sth April, Helen Bradish and Daniel Flemming. 

John J. Magee. 

Nest appears one that is full in its details: 

The Territory of Kansas ) 
Wyandotte County. ) 

I hereby certify that on the 19th day of February, A. D. 1860, at 
the house of Mrs. C. I. H. Nichols, in Quindaro. in said county, James 
Hicks and Louisa Smith, of said county, were with their mutual con- 
sent, lawfully joined together in matrimony, which was solemnized by 
me in the presence of Bertia C. Carpenter and Bessie Mahony. That 
I ascertained previous to the solemnization of the said marriage that the 
said parties were of sufficient age to contract the same, and that there 
appeared no lawful impediments to such marriage. 

Charles Chadwick, 
Justice of the Peace for Quindaro Township, 

Wyandotte County. 
Evidently this man had studied common law forms, and was par- 
ticular to have all the facts mentioned. 



*^m^^ 



i^s r- 






A^ 



176 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



CHAPTER XII. 



County and Township Organization and Acts of the County 
BOAKD— Act of the Legislature Creating and Organizing the 
County of Wyandotte — Election of Temporary County Offi- 
cers—Old Leavenworth County Records— First Poll Books — 
The Jail— Early Taxes— Settlement Between Wyandotte and 
Leavenworth Counties— The Quindaro and Wyandotte Road 
—Ferry Licenses— Early Election Precincts— Location of 
THE County Seat— Seal— EIarly Jurors— Proceedings in 1860— 
Division OF the County Into Commissioner Districts— Purchase 
, OF the Old Court-House Property on Nebraska Avenue, Wyan- 
dotte— The Plat oh- Wyandotte Lands Recorded— Grand and 
Petit Jurors for 1861-62— Election Fi(;ures, 1861— Organization 
OF Townships. 



Had I miscarried, I had been a villain; 

For men judge actions always by events: 

But when we manage by a just foresight. 

Success is prudence, and possession right. — Hiyijons. 



P^.EGISLATIVE action that ijrovided for a con- 
stitutional convention at Wyandotte City also 
organized Wyandotte County. The act pio- 
^'^ viding for the constitutional convention passed 
■ ;i the Leoji.slature first, and the number of dele- 
^^^^3^ gates from each county was fixed, when a 
, ~ >-^ ■ £g^ days afterward the act organizing the 
county of Wyandotte was passed, the mat- 
ter of delegates to the convention from the new county 
was overlooked, and there was consequently no represen- 
tation in the constitutional convention from this county, 
though delegates were elected from Wyandotte County, 
and were refused admission to the convention. These 
delegates, Dr. J. E. Bennett and Dr. J. B. Welborn, 
were elected by a small majority, being Democrats. The 
candidates on the Republican ticket were Gov. W. Y. 
Roberts and Col. Fielding Johnson. 




^ 

-^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 177 



As statod in a Legislative act quoted below, Wyandotte County 
was formed from territory previously belonging to Leavenworth and 
Jobnson Counties. The lirst election under the new organization was 
held on February 28, 1859. J. W. Johnson was elected probate 
judge; Marshall A. Garrett, county clerk; W. L. McMath, county 
attorney; Samuel E. Forsythe, sheriff; Robert Robitaille, county 
treasurer; W. J. Lane, register of deeds; J. B. Welborn, superin- 
tendent of schools, and Cyrus Gorton, surveyor. 

Following is a copy of "An act creating and organizing the Coun- 
ty of Wyandotte." 

"iJe it enacted by the Governor and Legislative Assembly of tlie Terri- 
tory of Kansas. 

"Section 1. That a county to be called Wyandotte be hereby 
erected, including that portion of Leavenworth and Johnson Counties 
within the following limits: Commencing at a point in the middle of 
the channel of the Missouri River, where the north line of the Delaware 
reserve intersects the same; running thence west on said reserve line to 
the line between ranges twenty two (22) and twenty-three (23); thence 
south on said range line to the south boundary of Leavenworth County; 
thence eastwardly on said boundary to the main channel of the Missou- 
ri River; thence northwardly with the said main channel to the place 
of beginning. Also that portion of Johnson County lying north of the 
township line between Townships eleven (11) and twelve (12) east of 
Range twenty-three (23). 

"Sec. 2. That an election shall be held in the various precincts in 
said county of Wyandotte, on the fourth Tuesday of February, ISfiQ, 
for the election of county officers, who shall hold their offices, respect- 
ively, until the next general election of county officers, as prescribed 
by law. 

"Sec. 3. That it shall be the duty of the present supervisors of 
each township in said county of Wyandotte to appoint two clerks and 
provide places to hold said special election and to act as judge of the 
same, observing the general election laws except as herein otherwise 
provided, and on the first Friday of the election, the chairman of all 
the boards of judges shall meet in Wyandotte City, at the Eldridge 
House, and canvass the votes and issue certificates to the persons duly 
elected, and transmit to the secretary of the Territory a true copy of 
the canvass showing who were elected to the various offices of said 
county. 

"Sec. 4. That the tenure of all other than county officers with- 



~S> ^ ' 



rfLL, 




in said county shall in nowise be affected by the provisions of this 
act. 

" Sec. 5. That it shall be the duty of the clerk of Leavenworth 
County, as soon as practicable after the organization of Wyandotte 
County, to transmit to the clerk of said county the papers in all suits 
which may be pending in the probate court of Leavenworth County 
wherein both parties reside in Wyandotte County, together with a cer- 
tified transcript of all the entries on record in each case, which causes, 
when so certified, shall be tried and disposed of in the same manner as 
though they had been commeaced in the county of Wyandotte. It 
shall further be the duty of the clerk of Leavenworth County in like 
manner to transmit to the clerk of Wyandotte County the papers and 
documents, together with a certified transcript of all entries in said 
cause pertaining to probate business, in all cases wherein the descend- 
ants' last place of residence was within the limits of said county of 
Wyandotte, there to be disposed of according to law. 

" Sec. 6. That it shall be the duty of the clerk of the District 
Court of the United States in and for Leavenworth County, as soon as 
practicable after the organization of the county of Wyandotte, to trans- 
mit to the clerk of the district court in and for said count}' of Wyan- 
dotte a certified transcript of the record and of all the papers in each 
and every case pending in said court wherein the parties thereto reside 
in said county of Wyandotte, to be disposed of in the same manner as 
though the same had originally been commenced in the county of 
Wyandotte. 

' ' Sec. 7. That it is hereby made the duty of the recorders in the 
counties of Leavenworth and Johnson to make out and transmit to the 
recorder of Wyandotte County as soon as practicable a true copy of 
the records of all deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, bonds and other 
writings in relation to real estate or any interest therein being within 
the limits of Wyandotte County as above described, and the said re- 
corders are authorized to procure suitable books for that purpose, and 
such clerks and recorders shall be entitled to compensation for said 
service from the county of Wyandotte at the usual legal rates. 

' ' Sec. 8. The city of Wyandotte shall be the temporary county 
seat until a permanent county seat shall be established. 

"Sec. 9. That at the next election for members of the Territorial 
Legislature, the people of said county shall vote for permanent county- 
seats, and the place receiving the highest number of all the votes cast 
shall be the permanent county seat of Wyandotte County. 







"Sec. 10. That portion of any precinct divided by the county 
lines, and being within Wyandotte County, shall be attached to the 
precinct adjoining in said county of Wyandotte for election and other 
purposes until otherwise ordered. 

"Sec. 11. That the county of Wyandotte shall be liable for all 
the money appropriated by the county of Leavenworth to be expended 
within the limits of said county of Wjaiidotte, and that all taxes now 
assessed within said county of Wyandotte shall be paid into the treas- 
ury of said county. 

"Sec 12. This act shall take effect and be in force from and 
after its passage." 

This act was approved by Gov. Samuel Medary, January 29, 1859. 
Following is a copy of the record of the meeting of the supervisors 
to canvass the vote cast at the election of temporary county officers 
under the provisions of the above act: 

■' At a meeting of the county board of supervisors in and for the 
county of Wyandotte and Territory of Kansas, held at the Eldridge 
House in the city of Wyandotte, on February 25, A. D. 1859, present 
George Russell and George W. Veale, acting in place of Alfred 
Gray. 

" The first business was the appointment of chairman of the board, 
and on motion George Russell was appointed chairman of said board 
and Myron J. Pratt acting secretai-y. 

" The board then proceeded to the canvassing of the votes cast at 
the election of county officers held in the county of Wyandotte, on 
the 22d day of February, A. D. 1859, after which the following 
named persons were declared duly elected to fill the offices as desig- 
nated, and the certificates of their election were ordered to be given 
as follows, to wit: 

"For probate judge, Jacques W. Johnson; for sherifp, Samuel E. 
Forsythe; for clerk of the board of supervisors, Marshall A. Garrett; 
for register of deeds, Vincent J. Lane; for county attorney, William 
L. McMath; for treasurer, Robert Robitaille; for surveyor, Cyrus L. 
Gorton; for coroner, George B. Wood; for superintendent of common 
schools, Jacob B. Welborn. " 

March 5 of this year (1859), the board of supervisors met in the 
clerk's office and ordered as follows: 

"That the county attorney be and is herebj' instructed to lease the 
room on the corner of Nebraska Avenue and Third Street from S. D. 
McDonall, for the term of one year, at §150 per annum, for the use 

s^ e r- ^% i) \ 



A 



liL 



180 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



of the officers of Wyandotte County; also the one now occupied by 
the county attorney, over the post-office, up to the first of January, 
1860, for the use of said officer, at $5 per month. 

" That the chairman and clerk be and are hereby authorized to 
procure suitable furniture and stationery for the use of the county 
officers. 

' ' That the board of supervisors of Leavenworth County be re- 
quested to cause all records, documents and papers to be copied, cer- 
tified and transmitted to the clerk of Wyandotte County, which are 
required to be so copied and transmitted by an act entitled, 'An act 
creating and organizing the county of Wyandotte,' passed January 
21), A. D. 1859." The minutes were attested by Marshall A. Garrett, 
clerk, and George Russell and Alfred Gray, supervisors. 

About this time it was ordered by the board that the chairman and 
the clerk go to Leavenworth and procure the records and papers re- 
quired by law to be copied and transmitted to the clerk of this county. 
Fifty dollars, or so much thereof as might be necessary, was the sum 
approi^riated to pay the expenses of this mission. March 19 it was 
ordered by the board that the chairman of the board and the county 
attorney be authorized and empowered to make such arrangements to 
send out of the county the insane persons, in charge of Mr. Bernstein, 
as they might deem proper, and the sum of 125, or so much of it as 
might be necessary, was appropriated for such use. March 22 it was 
ordered that the clerk provide two poll books for each township in the 
county, and deliver the same to the sheriff for distribution at the elec- 
tion to be held March 28, 1859, under the provisions of an act to 
form a State constitution for the State of Kansas. It was ordered, 
April 18, that the chairman, in connection with the sheriff, be author- 
ized to rent or procure a suitable place to be used as the county jail, 
the building then in use being declared unfit for such purpose. April 
30, 1200, or so much of that sum as might be required, was appro- 
priated, "out of the first moneys received in the county treasury," to 
be paid to Mr. Dollsworth, of Leavenworth, for county books. On 
motion, Alfred Gray was ajypointed "to correspond with some person 
competent to build an iron jail." June 15 the board imposed a license 
of 150 for each dram shop, saloon or tippling house. The salary of 
the probate judge was fixed at ISOO per annxim, but this order was 
rescinded April 2, 1860. The salary of the clerk of the board of 
supervisors was fixed at $400. It was resolved by the board that ' ' the 
township, county and territorial and poll taxes levied by the authori- 









WYANDOTTE CODNTY. 181 



tit-s within the territory includpd in Quindaro Township, before said 
township was set off from Wyandotte Township, be, and the same is 
hereby ordered to be transferred to the treasurer of said Quindaro 
Township for collection, and that the said treasurer be instructed to 
copy and transfer the same as aforesaid, said taxes to be distributed 
by him according to law, the township and poll taxes to be expended 
in Quindaro Township by the authorities thereof." Delos N. Barnes, 
Monroe Salisbury and Francis Kessler were appointed commissioners 
to survey and locate a county road from some point on a line dividing 
Sections 31 and 32 in Township 10 south. Range '25 east, extending 
in a southerly direction to the bridge across the Kansas River. It was 
ordered that the county of Leavenworth be requested to send the 
amount of the indebtedness of Wyandotte County to Leavenworth 
County, according to the provisions of the act organizing Wyandotte 
County. Three thousand dollars was appropriated out of the county 
treasury for the purpose of paying certain notes held by Leonard 
Lake, Thomas J. Williams and C. R. Stuckslager, and indorsed by 
Root, Roberts. Killen and others, money to that amount having been 
borrowed for improvements made in the county. 

Under date of August 1, 1859. William Tholen, county treasurer 
of Leavenworth County, certified that he had received from the repre- 
sentatives of Wyandotte County $912.81, in Leavenworth County war- 
rants, and an order for $142 on the treasurer of Wyandotte County, 
on account of the indebtedness of Wyandotte County to Leavenworth 
County. July 29, it was ordered that the debt then due fi-om the 
township of Wyandotte, for the creating and opening of "the southern 
road," be assumed b_v the county of Wyandotte, in consideration of 
the payment to Leavenworth County by the said township of the sum 
of $1,054.80, which sum the township then held in Leavenworth 
County orders. A finance committee, consisting of two members of 
the Leavenworth County board of supervisors, called upon Wyandotte 
County to '"settle all demands against Wyandotte County, according 
to the act organizing the county of Wyandotte," and on the day last 
mentioned it was ordered by the board that an order be drawn by the 
treasurer, and that a receipt be taken therefor. The bills of commis- 
sioners, authorized to survey and locate a road from Quindaro to the 
Wyandotte bridge, were allowed as follows: D. N. Barnes, $12; 
Francis Kessler, $12; Monroe Salisbury, $12; P. Pike, $1.50; S. Mc- 
Kee, $1.50; Eli McKee, $1.50; survey and plan, $20. It was resolved 
that Delps N. Barnes, Francis Kessler and Monroe Salisbury, com- 



> \ " 







missioners, heretofore appointed .to view a road commencing on the 
section line dividing Sections 31 and 32, in Township 10 south, Range 
25 east, running thence southerly to the KavF River, be instructed to 
begin on said section line, lifty-four rods north of the quarter-section 
corner, and run thence 'east to the half-section line dividing the land 
of the heirs of George I. Clark, deceased, and John Hicks and others, 
south to intersect the road near the parallel located by said commis- 
sioners, a plat of which was tiled in the office of the board of super- 
visors, June 28, 1859. 

September 2, 1859, Barzillai Gray was declared elected to till a 
vacancy in the office of probate judge, occasioned by the death of 
Jacques W. Johnson. September 20 it was resolved by the board 
that the survey and plat of the county road, made by Delos N. Barnes, 
Francis Kessler and Monroe Salisbury, commissioners, and tiled on 
that day, be adopted, and the said road was declared located accord- 
ing to said survey, and the townships through which it extended were 
ordered to open it for public travel. '" Fifteen hundred dollars was 
appropriated for roads and bridges, from Qnindaro to the Wyandotte 
bridge. License of ferries w^s fixed at $25 per annum. The tem- 
perance feeling of the board was demonstrated by the resolution, 
that "the county attorney is hereby instructed to strictly enforce the 
requirements of the act to restrain dram shops and taverns, and 
regulate the sale of intoxicating liquors, approved February 11, 1859, 
and he is hereby directed to indict, at the next term of the district 
court, those persons who fail to take out license and in other respects 
neglect to comply with the provisions of said law." If this resolution 
is to be taken literally (and of course it is not), it will be seen to have 
threatened great hardship and expensive litigation to a vast majority 
of the citizens of the county. It is presumed that the board meant to 
have only those indicted who sold liquor without having previously 
complied with the law. 

At a special meeting of the board of supervisors, on October 11, it 
was resolved that all that portion of Wyandotte Township south of the 
Kansas River be set off as a separate election precinct, the elections to 
be held at the house of R. H. Dickinson. Luther H. Wood, Willard 
L. Green and Charles Lovelace were appointed judges of election. 
At a special meeting, held November 2, it was resolved that the county 
tax for the ensuing year be one and one-fourth per cent of the taxable 
personal and real estate. The count}' seat was at the November 
election, 1859, permanently located in Wyandotte. February 9, 1860, 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 183 



Silas Armstrong, on the part of the Wyandotte council, laid before the 
board of supervisors the matter of the taxes assessed against the lands 
of the Wyandotte Indians and requested that amicable proceedings in 
the nature of an agreed case be entered into between the county and 
the Wyaudottes. The board referred the proposition to the county 
attorney, whe requested time to consider the matter before rendering 
an opinion. 

The following rather amusing account of a meeting of the board of 
supervisors, March 8, 1S(50. appears in the county records. There 
were present George Russell, chairman, and Alfred Gray: 

" The matter of districting the county into commissioner districts 
being introduced, Mr. Eussell ofPered the following resolution: 

" Resolved, by the board, That the county is hereby divided into 
districts as provided by an act entitled 'An act relating to counties 
and county officers,' approved. All the land south of Kansas Avenue, 
Wyandotte City, and from the west end of said avenue along the sec- 
tion line dividing Sections five (5) and eight (8) to the west line of 
the county, is hereby erected into District No. one (1). All the land 
north of said Kansas Avemie and said section line and south of the 
present township line dividing Wyandotte and Quindaro Townships, 
is hereby erected into a district and is No. two (2). All the present 
township of Quindaro is hereby erected into a district and is No. 
three (3). 

'• The said division being disagreed to by Mr. Gray, was lost. 
Thereupon Mr. Gray ofPered the following as a substitute: Resolved, 
by the board, That the county be and is hereby divided into districts 
as provided by an act entitled ' An act relating to counties and county 
officers.' All that land within Wyandotte City proper (that is to say 
within plat or plan made by John H. Millar, in 1857) is hereby 
erected into District No. 1. All that portion of Quindaro Township 
within the Wyandotte reserve, so called, and of Wyandotte Town- 
ship immediately north of said city, is hereby erected into District 
No. 2. All the balance of Wyandotte County is hereby erected info 
District No. 3. 

" The said substitute being disagreed to by Mr. Kussell, was lost. 
Mr. Gray then proposed that all that land contained within Wyan- 
dotte City proper, east of Tenth Street (that is to say within the plat 
or plan made by John H. Millar, in 1857), is hereby erected into Dis- 
trict No. 1. Second and third districts substantially as in above sub- 
stitute. 



fv^ 



^±=^ ^=^k. 




"Mr. Russell disagreeing to said proposition, it was lost. The 
board then adjourned to meet again on the day following, when no 
new proposition for the districting of the county being ofPered, nor 
any concurrence being obtained on either of the propositions of the 
previous day, the matter was laid over. In the matter of the ferry 
across the Kansas River, at or near the mouth thereof, it was resolved 
that the ferry company, running the ferry at said point, be restricted 
to the following rates, or charges, for crossing: Foot passengers, each 
5 cents; loose horses, mules and cattle, each 10 cents; swine and 
sheep, ten or less, 5 cents each, over ten, each 2h cents; man and 
horse, 15 cents; one horse and vehicle, 20 cents, each additional 
horse. 5 cents; oxen and mules to be rated as horses." It was unani- 
mously agreed by Messrs. RumbH and Gray that the said ferry 
company be required to pay a license fee in the sum of 125 to the 
county of Wyandotte, for the ferry privilege for the current year. 
Some little investigation has failed to discover the reason for the 
antagonistic character of this peculiar meeting of the board of su- 
pervisors, but it is presumed that each of the members wished to so 
divide the county as to secure the co-operation of an ally in the person 
of an additional supervisor, and that, each knowing that the success 
of the other would be fatal to his own projects, and the triumph of 
his own policy, neither of them would have yielded on this question 
so long as life remained to him. 

At the election for county commissioners and county assessor, on 
the fourth Monday in March, 1860, votes were cast as follows: For 
William McKay, for commissioner, 272; J. E. Bennett, 209; Samuel 
E. Forsythe, 239; J. R. Parr, 99; George W. Veall, 160; J. J. Chap- 
man, 167; James McGrew, 10; M. W. Battooi, 9-1:. For assessor, 
Benjamin W. Hartley received 242 votes, and Louis M. Cox, 165. 
Messrs. McKay, Bennett and Forsythe were declared elected commis- 
sioners; Benjamin W. Hartley, assessor. The new board organized 
Monday, April 2, 1800, with William McKay as chairman. The seal 
of the late county board was adojited, and the salary of the probate 
judge was fixed at $SO0. Other, but less important business, histori- 
cally, was transacted. On the next day the matter of the selection of 
grand and petit jurors was taken up, and the following names from 
the assessment rolls of the county, for the year 1859, were chosen: 
For grand jurors, Charles H. Chapin, Francis Kessler, Landor Lydon, 
Albert S. Corey, Thomas Mclntyre, Fielding Johnson. Charles E. Saw- 
yer, Abelard Guthrie, Arad Tuttle, James C. Zane, Silas Armstrong, 







S. p. Bartlott, O. S. Bartlett, Chester Colbiun, P. Cliagamaii. Will- 
iam Curns, Louis M. Cox, Johu M. Chrysler, Emuianiiel Dyer, A. P. 
Day, A. D. Downs, James H. Harris, Joseph Hanford. Ed Hovey, 
A. Huntington, William Hood, Sterling Hance, Leonard Leake, 
Valentine Lucas, John McAlpin, Thomas Merry, W. C. McHenry, 
James McGrew, William Millar, James R. Parr, W. Y. Roberts, 
George Russell, Samuel Stover, Berry Swander, Martin Stewart, Mil- 
ton Sabers, Hiram Wright, A. G. Walcott, Gustavus Leitz, Samuel M. 
Stephens, Charles H. Suydam, G. B. Terrill, E. T. Vedder, C. H. 
Van Fossen, Isaiah Walker. For petit jurors, Eli McKee. Joseph H. 
Bartles, Jacob Kyle, John H. Mattoon, Charles Morasch, C H. Car- 
penter, Isaac R. Zane, Samuel Marchant, John Stewart. Robert An- 
dersoQ, Fred Blum, Stephen S. Bradley, E. S. Barche, John M. 
Blockly, Frank H. Betton, James Clifford, James D. Chestnut, R. 
Chalk, J. A. J. Chapman, R. G. Dunning, Thomas Downs, Michael 
Gorman, G. K. Grindrod, Bat. GriflSu, Joseph Greible, Malcolm 
Gregory, Theodore Garrett, M. A. Garrett, James Hennepey, Rob- 
ert Halford, William D. Jones, N. A. Kirk. Daniel Killen, Claudius 
Kiefer, Henry Kirby, H. C. Long, M'illiam Lovey, Charles Love- 
lace, Anthony McMahon, Joseph McDowell, J. M. Mather, H. W. 
McNay, David Powell. E. J. Pedigo, Ed. Purdam, George Roof, 
J. D. Simpson, Ebenezer Smith, C. Stapleton, Fred Schoup. 

At the meeting of the board, April 4, I860, it was ordered that 
William McKay, chairman, be authorized and empowered to contract 
for rooms for use of courts and county officers for the current year. 
Silas Armstrong and others, proprietors of the ferry over the Kansas 
River, near its mouth, were required to give bond in the sum of $2,000. 
and were restricted to the following ratos of ferriage: Foot passengers, 
5 cents each; loose horses, mules or cattle, 10 cents each; swine or 
sheep, 5 cents each; man and horse, 20 cents; one horse vehicles and 
driver, 30 cents; two-horse vehicles and driver unloaded. 40 cents — 
loaded, 65 cents; each additional person with above, 5 cents; each 
additional horse, 2 cents — oxen, mules, asses and "jinnies" rated as 
horses. Double these rates were permitted after dark. The ferry pro- 
prietors were ordered to pay the county the sum of $35 as a license 
fee for the ensuing year. This rate was, at the same meeting, estab- 
lished for all ferries throughout the county. The bond of Byron Judd, 
as trustee of Wyandotte Township, was approved and accepted; the 
bond of V. J. Lane, as trustee of Quindaro Township; also the bond 
of Thomas Ryan, as constable of Wyandotte Township; the bond of 



k^ 



^ 




^'. 



Thomas Duncan, as justice of the peace of Quindaro Township; and 
the bond of Alfred Robinson, as constable of Quindaro Township. 
The salary of the county attorney, formerly $600, was reduced to |300. 
The division of the county into commissioner districts, which Messr.s. 
Gray and Russell had been so signally successful in not accomplishing, 
was again taken up. It was ordered that all that part of the city of 
Wyandotte south of the center of Kansas Avenue, and all that portion 
of Wyandotte Township south of the section line dividing Sections 5 
and 6 from Sections 7 and 8, in Township 11 south, Range 25 east, 
and east of the township line dividing Ranges 24 and 25 east, be 
erected into District No. 1; that all of the remainder of Wyandotte 
Township and Wyandotte City be erected into District No. 2; and thai, 
all of Quindaro Township be erected into District No. 3. A vacancy 
having occurred in the office of constable of Wyandotte Township, 
H. H. Sawyer was appointed, and his bond was approved and accepted. 
The county attorney was authorized to draw up papers stating an 
agreement of facts, and enter into the same on behalf of the county 
with the Wyandotte Nation of Indians for the purpose of testing the 
legality of the taxes assessed upon the lands in the county allotted to 
that tribe. 

The records contain the following relative to the drawing of jurors 
for the May term, 1860: "List of grand jurors for the May term of 
the first district court for the county of Wyandotte, in the Territory 
of Kansas, drawn April 19, 1860, from the hat containing the names 
of the persons selected by the board of county commissioners of said 
county for that purpose for the current year, at their April session, A. 
D. 1860. Present at the drawing, M. B. Newman, county clerk, and 
Thomas Ryan, deputy sheriff, and Joseph Speck, Esq., a justice of 
the peace of said county, who were previously notified according to 
law. The following list of names, as drawn from the grand jury hat 
by said clerk, wei'e respectively entered on a written list hj said 
Joseph Speck, viz. : 

" Silas Armstrong, Charles H. Suydam, George Russell, James R. 
Parr, William Millar, Edwin T. Vedder, Wyandotte Township; Al- 
bert S. Corry, Quindaro Township; Gustavus Zeitz, A. D. Downs, 
James H. Harris, William Curran, O. S. Bartlett, Wyandotte Town- 
ship; James C. Zaue, Qaindaro Township; Chester Colburn, John 
M. Chrysler, Wyandotte Township; Francis Kessler, Quindaro Town- 
ship; Joseph Hanford, W. Y. Roberts, Wyandotte Township. 

" We, the undersigned, present at the drawing, as aforesaid, do 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 187 



hereby certify that the forecroiag list from No. 1 to No. 18, inclusive, 
was drawn by saiil M. B. Newmaa, after duly shakiug the box con- 
taining the ballots, and that said names were respectively minuted by 
said Joseph Speck, as drawn, this April 19th, ISfiO." The record is 
signed by M. B. Newman, county clerk, Wyandotte Covinty, and Joseph 
Speck, "justice of the peace and deputy sheriff." 

'"List of petit jurors for the May term of the tirst district court 
for Wyandotte County, Kansas Territory, drawn April 19, 1860, 
from the box containing the names of the person selected for that 
purpose by the board of county commissioners for the current year, 
at the April session of said board, A. D. 1800. The drawing was 
conducted and recorded by the same officials and in the same manner 
as that for grand jurors. The following in the recorded list: 

"Eli McGee and Jacob Kyle, Quindaro Township; Henry Kirby, 
Robert Chalk, S. Piirdam, M. A. Garrett and R. G. Dunning, Wyan- 
dotte Township; Joseph A. Bartles, Quindaro Township; Claudius 
Kiefer, Robert Halford and Michael Gorman, A^'yandotte Township; 
John H. Mattoon. Quindaro Township; James Clifford, Wyandotte 
Township; Isaac R. Zane, Quindaro Township; Robert Anderson, 
Daniel Powell, Frank H. Betton, Bat Griffin and S. E. Burche, Wy- 
andotte Township; Samuel Marchant, Quindaro Township; James D. 
Chestnut, C. Stapleton, N. A. Kirk and William Lavey, Wyandotte 
Township.'" 

For .some reference to the work of the first grand and petit jurors, 
see the history of the Wyandotte County District Court elsewhere in 
this volume. 

The following is among the recorded proceedings of the board, 
July 11, 1860: 

•' Isaiah Walker, Esq. , having submitted to the board a proposi- 
tion in writing to sell to the county of Wyandotte Lot No. 46. in Block 
No. 93, on Nebraska Avenue, in the City of Wyandotte, with the 
frame building thereon, for a court room and other county purposes, 
for the consideration of $50 in hand in scrip of the county of Wyan- 
dotte, and $1,750 in bonds of said county, payable ten years from 
date, and bearing interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum, the 
said proposition being fully considered by the board, was accepted, 
and the chairman of the board was directed and empowered to com- 
plete the purchase of said property on the part of the county, and 
procure a deed for the same, in accordance with said proposition." 

At the meeting last referred to, on motion, it was ordered that the 



188 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



register of deeds be authorized to record the plat of the Wyandotte 
lands, and the description of the allotment of the same, from the 
copies thereof in the office of the county clerk, and §25 was appropri- 
ated for such use. The demand of William McKay for the use 
of the court-room for the May, 1860, term of the district court 
was allowed. The amount was .$20. The matter of a new county 
jail was considered, and, there being neither plans nor propositions 
on hand satisfactory to the board, it was ordered that the clerk 
post up notices in not less than three conspicuous places in the 
county, calling for further plans and proposals for a county jail to 
be presented to the board May 30, 1860, at which time it was decided 
to further consider the matter. It was further ordered that the 
notices above referred to should also invite proposals for removing the 
court-house to the front part of the court house lot. At the appointed 
time, a plan proposed by J. R. Parr, Esq. , to build the jail of planks 
laid and spiked together was adopted by the board. The structure 
was to be twenty feet square, each story to be eight feet in the clear. 
The first story was to be divided centrally by a four-foot passage, and 
into five cells — three on one side of the passage, two on the other. 
The upper story was to be divided into three rooms, approached by 
an outside stairway. The bid of J. L. Hall, beiog the best and low- 
est, to complete the jail for $2,000, was accepted, and the chairman 
of the board was authorized to enter into a contract with him on that 
basis, and also to contract for the removal of the court-house. 

The second grand and petit juries were drawn September 15, 1860. 
The former consisted of the following named persons: 

Charles Morasch, Qaindaro; Ebenezer Smith, Wyandotte; C. H. 
Carpenter, Quindaro; H. C. Long and Fred Schoup, Wyandotte; 
John Stewart, Quindaro; G. K. Grindrod. Anthony McMahon, W. H. 
McNay, Joseph Greible, Fred Blum, James Hennesy, Edward J. 
Pedigo, George Roof, Thomas Downs and J. D. Simpson, Wyan- 
dotte; Edward Anderson (removed); M. A. Garrett. AVilliamD. Jones, 
Theodore Garrett, Claudius Kieiler, Charles Lovelace and Daniel Kil- 
len, Wyandotte; J. M. Mather (removed); J. A. J. Chapman and S. 
S. Bradley, Wyandotte. 

The record of the drawing was signed by M. B. Newman, county 
clerk; Joseph Speck, justice of the peace: Daniel Kirkbridge, justice 
of the peace, and L. H. Wood, sheriff, all of whom certified to the 
drawing of petit jurors, as follows: 

S. M. Stevens, W'yandotte; Thomas Mclntyre. Quindaro; George 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 189 



B. Terrill (removed); Landon Lydon, Qnindaro; Silas Ai-mstrong and 
Leonard Lake, Wyandotte; Charles H. Chapin, Quindaro; Milton 
Savers, O. B. Bartlett, A. J. Day and Isaiah Walker, AVyandotte; 
Hiram Wright (removed); S. P. Bartlett, Edvpard Hovey, James H. 
Harris and Martin Stewart, Wyandotte; Abelard Guthrie, Quindaro; 
Valentine Lucas, Thomas Meiry and James McGrew, Wyandotte. 

At a meeting of the board, October 2, 1860, the amount of taxes 
to be levied for county and other purposes for the current fiscal year 
was considered. It was determined that, for the purpose of redeem- 
ing the outstanding orders on the treasurer of the county, and to meet 
the ordinary current county expenses, $15,000 would be required. 
The county clerk was authorized to make a levy of taxes on the total 
amount of taxable property on the assessment roll of that year, at such 
a rate, in mills on the dollar, as would produce most nearly such an 
amount. The further amount of $2,500 was required to pay the in- 
terest on bonds issued by the county and to redeem such bonds as 
would become due within the coming year, and an additional levy was 
ordered to meet this demand. 

The necessity for new roads now found expression in the petition 
of A. Columbus, and others, for a township road, from the north end 
of Fifth Street, in Wyandotte City, northwestwardly, " along the line 
between William Walker's and M. R. Walker's and Henry McMullen's, 
also, Walker and Millar and D. V. Clements, and thence on or near the 
section lines, northwardlj-, to the bank of the Missouri River, at or 
near Clark's old wood-yard; " and in the petition of Isaiah Walker 
and eighteen others for the location of a road from the terminus of 
Walker Street, on the western boundary of the town of Wyandotte, 
"along the northern border of William Johnson's land, and various 
other points named in said petition, to Isaac Johnnycake's. " Daniel B. 
Hadley, Thomas Maxtield and Stephen S. Bradley, " judicious land- 
holders," were appointed a jury to view and locate the first road; and 
Louis M. Cox, John M. Funk and Isaac N. White were apjiointed a 
jury to view and locate the second road. Both juries were to do their 
work early in October, with the assistance of William Millar, surveyor. 
In the matter of the township road, from the north end of Fifth Street, 
in Wyandotte City, to Clark's old wood-yard, the viewers and survey- 
or reported favorably, October 15, and the board ordered that the 
road be established as a permanent highway, according to the follow- 
ing survey: "Commencing at a point on the second standard parallel, 
the north line of the corporation of Wyandotte City, and 15 poles east 



^^ 



190 



HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



of a stone marking the southwest corner of Section 34, Township 10, 
Range 25; thence along the line between the lands of William Walker 
and Walker and Millar, on the west, and those of W. E. Walker and 
H. M. McMullen. on the east, north 80 poles to the south line of D. 
V. Clements' land; thence along the same, west, 15 poles; thence along 
the line between the lands of Walker and Millar on the west, and D. 
V. Clements on the east, north 80 poles to the south line of Adam 
Hunt's land; thence through the same north 17| degrees, west 77 
poles; thence north 30 degrees, east 8 J poles, to the south line of E. 
B. Kellogg' s land; thence through the same and on the same course 
15J poles; thence north 7i- degrees, east 8 poles; north 8 degrees, west 
5 poles; thence north 45 degrees, west 16 poles to the east line of R. 
S. Nash's land; thence along the same north 42 poles to the north line 
of Section 33; thence along the same east 3fi poles to a point 12 poles 
east of the southwest corner of Section 27; thence through the lands 
of Cox and Garrett and on the line between the lands of John M. 
Funk and Francis Coon on the west, and the heirs of J. B. Cornstalk 
and heirs of G. I. Clark on the east, north 175 poles to the south 
bank of the Missouri River, total distance 2 miles and 90 poles.'' Oc 
tober 16, the report of Isaac N. White, Louis M. Cox and John M. 
Funk, commissioners, and William Millar, surveyor, on the road from 
Wyandotte to Isaac Johnnj'cake' s, was filed and read and laid over for 
action at the next regular session of the board; but it was not acted 
upon until January 9, 1801, when the road was ortlered opened upon 
a survey as follows: " Commencing at a point in the center of Walker 
Street, 323 1\ feet west from the west line of Tenth Street, in the city 
of Wyandotte; and running thence on the east line of Louis M. Cox's 
land, north 15| poles to a point 10 poles east of the center of fractional 
Section 4, Township 11, Range 25 east; thence on the line between 
the lands of the heirs of John Lewis Coon and Lucy A. Sharlow on 
the north and those of the said Cox and the heirs of John S. Bearskin 
on the south, west 170 poles to the quarter-section corner, between 
Sections 4 and' 5, same township and range; thence through the lands 
of the said Bearskin and on the line between the lands of Isaiah Walk- 
er, Susan Nofat, Catharine Young and George Spybuck on the north, 
and Christopher Littlechief, H. C. Norton and Margaret Solomon on 
the south, west 400 poles; thence through the lands of Margaret Solo- 
mon and George Spybuck north 48 degrees, west 10^ poles; thence 
through R. Robitaille' s land and on the line between the said Robitaille 
and James C. Zane west 67^ poles; thence through the said Zane's 



^=^r^ 



\^ 




Icand and along Robitaille's lands north 4(5| poles, west 13 poles; thence 
north 17i poles to the second standard parallel; thence along the same 
between the said Robitaille on the south and Mary Collier's land on 
the north, west 50 poles; thence through the said Collier's land north 
77 degrees, west 40^ poles to a point 9 poles north from the quarter- 
section corner on the south line of Section 36, Township 10 south, 
Range 24 east; thence on the line between A. Guthrie and James C. 
Zane on the west, Mary Collier and Sarah Collier on the east, and 
through the lands of said Zane, north 151 poles to the center of said 
Section 36; thence through the said Zane's land, on the line between 
him and Samuel E. Forsythe, through the said Forsythe's land, and on 
the line between the lands of the heirs of James Bigtree and John 
Bigtree's land on the south and A. Guthrie's land on the north, west 
320 poles to the center of Section 35; thence along the line between 
Jefferson Zane's and Threza Zane's lands on the west, and the said 
Guthrie and Francis Cotter's lands on the east, north 160 poles to the 
quarter-section corner between Sections 26 and 35, of Township 10 
south, Range 24 east, and on the road from Quindaro to Lawrence; 
total distance, 4 miles 231!^ poles." November 10, 1860, the petition 
of Theodore Garrett and forty-eight others, for a county road "from 
Silas Armstrong's by the present traveled route, thence on the nearest 
and best route to a point at or near Delaware ferry; thence on the 
nearest and best route to Tuley's ferry," was presented to the board, 
and James C. Zane, H. C. Long and John M. Funk were appointed 
viewers, with William Millar, surveyor, to investigate and report on 
the feasibility of said road. They reported as follows: 

"In the matter of a petition for a county road from Wyandotte 
City to Tuley's ferry, to the board of county commissioners of Wyan- 
dotte County, Kansas: 

"Gentlemen — In accordance with the provisions of an act defining 
the mode of laying out and establishing roads, approved February 
27, 1860, we, the undersigned, John M Funk, Henry C. Long and 
James C. Zane, have viewed and caused to be surveyed and marked on 
the ground a county road, as rei)orted on by William Millar, sur- 
veyor. We believe the road necessary for public convenience, and 
therefore recommend that it be established, and opened sixty feet 
wide on the line, in accordance with the prayer of the petitioners. 
We had the principal petitioners notify the owners of lands through 
which said road passes that the same has been located, and, believ- 
ing that the property will be benefited to a greater degree than any 



A^ 



192 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



injury the owners may sustain by reason of the opening of said road, 
we have not deemed it necessary to assess any damages. ' ' 

Following is a copy of the survey above mentioned, which was duly 
attested by William Millar: 

"Commencing at a point in the center of Tauromee Street, 5 poles 
east from the east line of Twelfth Street, in the city of Wyandotte, 
and 113i poles east and48i poles north from the southwest corner of 
the northwest quarter of Section 9, Township 11 south, Range 25 
east; thence through lands belonging to E. T. Vedder, Mrs. Solomon 
and John Sarabess, west IISJ poles (the south line of the road being 
the north line of laud belonging to Silas Armstrong, for the last SO 
poles); thence through land belonging to said Sarabess north 87 de- 
grees, west 80 poles; thence north on line between said Sarabess and 
Silas Armstrong north 16 poles; thence through land of said Arm- 
strong, .south 87 degrees, west 80 poles; thence on line between said 
Armstrong and John D. Brown, north 75 poles to the northwest cor- 
ner of the northeast quarter of Section 8, same township and range, 
where it connects with the road described below. Again com- 
mencing in Kansas Avenue, in the center thereof, 24| poles west from 
the west line of Twelfth Street, in the city of Wyandotte, and poles 
south from the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 9, Township 11 south. Range 25 east; thence north 4 poles; thence 
through land of John Sarabess, west 32 poles (the north line of 
the said road being the line of land belonging to the Wyandotte City 
Company); thence through land belonging to the said Sarabess, south 
82 degrees, west 60 poles ; thence south 80 poles, west 80 poles ; thence 
through land of Jacob Whitecrow, west 60 poles; thence on the line 
between said Whitecrow and Silas Armstrong, west 9 poles, to the 
northwest corner of the northeast quarter of Section 8, same town- 
ship and range, where it connects with branch road described 
above; thence on the line between Sections 5, 8, 6 and 7, divid- 
ing- lands of said Whitecrow, A. C. Davis and Mary Karyboo, Sr., 
on the north, from lands of John D. Brown, Margaret Brown and 
William Johnston on the south, west 296 poles; thence on the line of 
said Karyboo and said Johnston, south 20 poles; thence on the line 
between Mary Karyboo, Sr. , and Mary Karyboo, Jr., west 100 poles; 
thence to the line of Mary McKee, north 63 degrees, west 4^ poles; 
thence along the same, north 18 poles; thence west 20 poles; thence- 
south 39 degrees, west 20 poles; thence west 64 degrees, west 8 poles; 
thence north 72 degrees, west 20 poles, north 39| degrees, west 16 




poles; thence on the line between said McKee and Jesse Gayamee, 
west 10 poles, to the northwest corner of Section 7, same township and 
range; thence along the same, west 10 poles, to the east line of land 
of Mary Elliott; thence along the same, south 16 poles; thence through 
the land of the said Elliott, west 70 poles, and through land of Dan- 
iel Peacock's heirs, west 80 poles; thence through land of John (Sol- 
omon) Karyboo, south 65^ degrees, west 17i poles, passing into the 
land allotted to Joseph Williams; thence through the same, south 88 
degrees, west 88 poles, passing into the land belonging to John Lamb; 
thence through the same, south 47| degrees, west 26 poles, south 22 
degrees, west 20 poles, south 20 poles, south 1 degree, west 17 poles, 
to line between said Lamb and Alfred Gray; thence along the same, 
west 12 poles; thence through land of said Gray, south 56| degrees, 
west 28 poles, north 82 J degrees, west 12 poles, north 30 degrees, west 
16 poles, to same line between said Gray and Lamb; thence along the 
same and on the south line of Michael McMahon, 136J poles; thence 
on line between lands of George Spybuck and said Gray, south 49J 
poles; thence on the line between said Spybuck and John Smith, west 
76 poles; thence through land of said Smith, south 21 poles and 
south 7 1 seconds, west 28 poles, passing into land of Peter Hooper ; 
thence through the same, north 85 degrees, west 20 poles, south 84 
degrees, west 21 poles, and west 8§ poles, to the southeast corner of 
land belonging to W. W. Jacks; thence on line between lands of said 
Hooper and Jacob Young on the east, and Elizabeth Young and Re- 
becca Lumpy on the west, south 264 poles, passing into the lands of 
Elizabeth Peacock; thence through the same, south 50 degrees, west 
80 poles; thence through the land of Sarah Peacock, south 46 poles, 
west 152 poles, and passing into land belonging to the Garrett family; 
thence through the same, 52| degrees, west 220 poles, to the Delaware 
ferry: thence through the same lands, south 53 i degrees, west 60 
poles, south 61 degrees, west 76 poles, north 89 degrees, west 70 
poles, north 63 degrees, west 11 poles, south 40 degrees, west 40 poles, 
south 30i degrees, west 40 poles, south 11 degrees, west 80 poles, 
south 16 degrees, west 78 poles, south 28 poles, west 18 poles, south 
34 poles, west 64 poles, south 45J degrees, west 52 poles, south 55 
degrees, west 60 poles, and south 34| poles, east 49 jaoles, to the Kan- 
sas River at Tuley's ferry, distance 10 miles 51 1 poles from the west 
line of the plat of the city of Wyandotte. 

Thursday, April 9, 1861, an application for a township road from 
Davis Creek to Kansas River bridge, on the south side of Kansas 



"3) 'y 



lOi HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Kiver, in Wyandotte Townsliip, was taken up, in pursnance of the 
action of the board on the previous Monday, and also an application 
of Stephen J. Payne and others for a township road from a township 
road from Lovelace' s saw-mill to the bridge above mentioned. It appear- 
ing to the board that the establishment of one road, properly located, 
might be made to serve the interests of both sets of petitioners, the au- 
thority of viewers previously appointed was revoked, and John M. Funk, 
David Leavitt and Albert S. Corey were appointed viewers to meet at the 
bridge April 22, and, with the aid of J. A. J. Chapman, surveyor, to 
survey out and rejjort upon a road from Lovelace's saw-mill, or some 
point near there, past the residence of Stephen J. Payne to the Wyan- 
dotte bridge, and report to the board at its next session. The report 
was favorable to the opening of the road upon the following survey: 
"Begiuning at a point one-quarter of a mile due east from the center 
of Section 23, in Township 11 south, and Range 24 east of the sixth 
principal meridian in Kansas, and running thence north (varying 11° 
HO' east) 40.3t) chains; thence east (varying 11° 4') 30 chains; thence 
north (varying 11° 24' east) 40.05 chains; thence east (varying 11° 
30' east) 116.45 chains; thence south 25°, east 31.21 chains; thence 
south 35°, east 13.30 chains; thence south 58°, east 4 chains; thence 
south 45° 30', east 14.81 chains; thence south 50°, east 4.56 chains; 
thence south 45° 30', east 5.53 chains; thence south 56°, east 72.95 
chains; thence south 81° 30', east 7.16 chains to the south end 
of Kaw bridge, the total distance being 370.33 chains — 4.63 
miles." July 15, 1861, the petition of Louisa C. Smith, N. A. 
Turk, Jacob Whitecrow, Elisha Sortor, George W. Veale, A. Tuttle, 
J. A. Bartles, K. Wenzler, F. Cook, F. Johnson, E. K. Woodburg, 
Eli McKee and F. Kessler was presented, requesting the board to 
locate and establish a road "from a point on the Territorial road run- 
ning from Quindaro via Leavenworth to Elwood. at the northwest 
corner of William Long's allotment in Section 31. Township 11. Range 
25 east, thence running as near as practicable to a point due south to 
a point on the county road from Wyandotte City to Isaac Johnny- 
cake's." The board ordered that Vincent J. Lane, Franklin Cook 
and William Taylor act as viewers, and Eli McKee as surveyor of such 
road. Their report was rendered November 4, 1861, accompanied by 
a survey, as follows: "Beginning at the north line of Section 31, 
Township 11 south, of Range 25 east, at the northwest comer of land 
allotte 1 to William Long; thence south between lands owned by Han- 
nah Zane, Sr., Isaac R. Zane and Louisa C. Smith on the west, and 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 195 



the lands of William Long and Jacob Whitecrow on the east, and 
through the land of said Whitecrow to the south line of land owned 
by Susannah D. Robitaille 39 chains and 80 links; thence through 
lands of said Susannah D. Robitaille south 1|°, west 32 chains to a 
point 25 feet west of the southwest corner of the No. E. burying ground; 
thence south 16' ', west 18 chains 30 links to a walnut tree; thence 
south 3i' ' west to the intersection of the county road from Wyandotte 
to Johnnycake's." It was recommended that the road be opened 
over the above described route fift}' feet wide. The viewers expressed 
the opinion that the land along the line of this road would be enhanced 
in value, and that the owners should not be entitled to any damages. 
During the few years succeeding, petitions were presented for the fol- 
lowing and other roads, many of which were viewed, and some of 
which were opened and have since formed part of the highway facili- 
ties of this part of the State: A Territorial road from Wyandotte to 
Elwood; a road from Lawrence via De Soto to the State line; a road 
from the Missouri River bottom to the Leavenworth County line; a 
road to Muncietown; a road along the bluffs south of the Kaw; a 
Missouri River road; a road from Delaware ferry to the pontoon 
bridge; a road from Wyandotte to Washington's; a road from Muncie- 
town to Washington's; a road from Frank Cotter's to Muncietown. 

The board made the following selection for grand and petit jurors 
for the year 1861, from the assessment roll for the year I860: Grand 
jurors— J. C. Clemens, Albert S. Corey, William M. Dickinson, David 
Pearson, Alfred Robinson, E. Sortor, D. D. Strock, N. M, Turk, G. 
W. Veale, J. D. Freeman, Charles Lovelace, Ed Pettigrew, Milton 
Savers, D. B. Lucas, J. P. Alden, Philip Klingaman, William Cur- 
ran, Samuel Crosby, J. D. Hath, W. P. Holcomb, Jacob Kerstetter, 
David Leavitt, N. McAlpiae, S. D. McDonald, W. P. Thompson, W. 
P. Winner, Horatio Waldo, John E. Zeitz, Cornelius Mallory, John 
McAlpine. James McGrew, William Millar, G. B. Nelson, George 
Parker, N. A. Richardson, George Russell, Christopher Schneider, J. 
M. Summerville, W. F. Simpson, J. P. Fisk, Fielding Johnson, 
Thomas Mclntyre, S. Hance. 

Petit jurors: Thomas Maxfield, W. P. Overton, C. F. Peters, Ben- 
jamin Ritz, W. Y. Roberts, A. Roberts, M. Remain, F. Skorka, 
Fred Schoup, M. Shipp, D. A. Tomb, Augustus Walters, Henry West, 
C. H. Van Fossen, C. H. Carpenter, L. Leyder, William Raffe, Robert 
Robitaille, Isaac R. Zane, Henry Bengard, John Brevator, S. S. Brad- 
ley, John Bottom, Solomon Balmer, G. D. Bouling, James Fisk, J. P. 



196 HISTOBY OF KANSAS. 



Faber, P. S. Ferguson, J. P. HenioD, E. H. Hickock, Henry Bacon, 
M. H. Collins, F. Cook, R. M. Gray, William Kuntz, H. F. Eeed, M. 
Sherman, A. Tuttle, F. Arn, J. Whitecrow, E. O. Zaiie, M. Clary, M. 
Faber, B. F. Johnson, M. Mudeater, Anthony McGrath, August Reka, 
John Swatzel, Irvin P. Long, John Burke, John M. Blatchley, H. W. 
Barbour, James Cain, E. M. Dyer, M. Gregory, Michael Gorman, H. 
T. Harrison, Louis Hefferlin, Charles Haines, ^^'. P. Harris, James 
Humphrey, Fred Kramer, Henry Kirkbride. 

January 8, 1861, in the matter of the report of the grand jury, 
made to the last October term of the district court, recommending 
certain improvements in the county jail, it was ordered by the board 
that the county clerk advertise proposals to be received, for consider- 
ation at the April term of the board, to erect a plank fence around 
the jail, to underpin the jail with stone, and fill xinderneath its floors 
with broken stone. 

January 21, 1861, a license was granted to Cornelius Riordan to 
keep a dram shop in Quindaro Township for one year. The following 
entry appears under date of March 19, 1861: ''On this day John W. 
Dyer and Julius G. Fisk, commissioners of Wyandotte County, met 
as a board of canvassers to inspect the returns of the election held in 
said county on the 5th day of March, 1861, for one representative to 
the State Legislature to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of 
Amasa Soule, representative- elect for the district composed of the 
counties of Wyandotte, Douglas and Johnson. The returns being 
produced by the county clerk, as filed in his office, the same were ex- 
amined and found to be in all respects made up in conformity with 
the laws, and on being duly canvassed, the votes cast at said election 
were found to be as follows: Whole number of votes cast at said 
election, 381; of which L. L. Jones received 284 votes, and W. R. 
Davis 97 votes." 

June 18, 1861, the board canvassed the returns of an election held 
on the 11th instant for representative in Congress and for justice of 
the peace for Wyandotte Township. The following results were as- 
certained: Quindaro Township — whole number of votes cast, 27; for 
Representative in Congress, Martin F. Conway, 8, C. J. H. Nichol, 18, 
John A. Haldeman, 1. Wyandotte Towuship— For Representative in 
Congress: Martin F. Conway, 194; C. K. Holiday, 3; Isaiah Walker, 1; 
for justice of the peace, John M. Funk, 151; James A. Cruise, 130. 
November 8, 1861, the board canvassed the votes cast in Wyandotte 
County, November 5, 1861, at an election for certain State and county 

['" ^'" t . 

T 



officers. The whole number of votes cast was 400. For governor, 
George A. Crawford received 343, Josiah Miller, 1; for lieutenant- 
governor, Joseph G. Speer received 344; for secretary of State, J. W. 
Robinson received 349; for attorney-general. Samuel A. Stinson re- 
ceived 390; for State treasurer. Hortman R. Dutton received 381; 
for State auditor, James R. McClure received 349; for superintendent 
of public instruction, H. D. Preston received 358; for Representative 
in the State Senate, John Speer received 160, John T. Legate, 158; 
R S. Stevens, 229; Charles G. Kaler, 246; for Representative in the 
Lower House. W. M. Sheard,367; W. H. Fishback, 168; R. W. Hart- 
ley, 145; Chauncey L. Steele, 358; E. G. Macy, 358; J. L. Jones, 358; 
Samuel Block, 358; A. T. Thoman. 357; D. T. Mitchell, 358; R. L. 
Williams, 358; Sidney Clark, 157; James McGrew, 3/8; Eli McKee, 
104; William Dickinson, 243; G. W. Smith, 175; John M. Griffin, 204; 
Mencer, 1 ; Edward Mencer, 1 ; for sheriff, Jacob Kerstetter, 152; Luther 
H. Wood, 244; Ward, 1; Jacob Cresth, 1; for treasurer, Byron Judd, 
402; for register of deeds, S. D. McDonald, 168; James A. Cruise, 
239'; for county clerk, William B. Bowman, 160; E. T. Vedder, 231; 
for assessor, C. N. H. Moore, 99; Martin Stewart, 295; for surveyor, 
J. A. J. Chapman, 396; for coroner, Thomas Duncan, 169; Charles 
Morasch 223: C. N. H. Moore, 1; for county commissioners. First 
District, D. A. Bartlett, 147; R. Cook, 236; Second District, S. Lake, 
163; Emmanuel Dyer, 231; Third District, B. F. Mudge, 132; Francis 
Kessler, 230; for probate judge, T. House, 10; V. J. Lane, 30; for 
superintendent of public schools, D. B. Healy, 1; for clerk of district 
court, J. A. Cruise, 14. 

Those selected for grand and petit jurors, for 1862, were named 
as follows (those designated by an asterisk were, on February 14, 
drawn to serve at the next term of district court): *Nicholas McAl- 
pine, Silas Armstrong, * James Collins, Theodore F. Garrett, Valen- 
tine Lucas, Leonard Lake, John McAlpine, Isaiah Walker, Thomas 
Duncan. Irvin P. Long, *George D. Chrysler, Arthur D. Downs, 
S. Hance, J. D. Heath, W. P. Holcomb, E. T. Hovey, Joseph Han- 
ford, *Daniel Killen, Jacob Rexstatter, James McGrew, W. C. 
Henry, George P. Nelson, William P. Overton, *George Russell, 
*N. A.' Riechenecker, William H. Schofield, *Horatio Waldo, *Hiram 
Wood, William Walker, *W. P. Winner, E. L. Bucher, Aaron Cory, 
R. M. Grey, V. J. Lane, *Eli McKee, William Taylor, M. W. Bot- 
tom. *D. V. Clements, B. F. Mudge, *C. S. Stapleton, John Bolton, 
*N. B. Newman, J. W. White, Robert Halford, *Henry Frank, *Reu- 



11^ 



1 



^1 



198 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



ben Pawn, Eansom Chalk, *James R. Parr, *James Summeiville, 
Samuel Crosby, *Richard Cook, for grand jurors; and Albert S. Cory, 
S. M. Cox, Michael Collins, Thomas Downs, John D. Freeman, Henrv 
Grey, John Smith, *L. D. Jones. *John Lamb, H. C. Long, Mathew 
Mudeater, J. H. Mattoon. *Stephen J. Payne, William Rulledge, 
John Regan, John Snatzer, *Ebenezer O. Kane, John Buckley, 
*Joseph A. Bartles, *Richard W. Clark, Lemuel Duncan, AV. W. 
Dickinson, Abelard Guthrie, Patrick Gulan, William Long, Isaac 
Long, *E. A. Moore, William Raffle, Henry Powell, James C. Zaue, 
Ferdinand Arn, Henry Bengard, *S. S. Bradley, G. L. Bowlin, *0. 
S. Bartlett, *Frank H. Betton, *Henry Booker, *A. Crockett, M. L. 
Clifford, R. G. Dunning, *William Foley, *G. H. Grindrod, ♦Jo- 
seph Grindell, Joseph Gruble, *Philip Hecker. *Henry Kirkbride, 
Frederick Kramer, Peter Lefler, Henry Kirby, John McMahon, 
Thomas Maxiield, C. F. Peters, *Samuel Priestly, Samuel Pringle, 
AVilliam Stutton, D. C. Strobridge, C. H. Suydam, *Christopher 
Schneider, W. E. Thompson, *Augustus Walters, *Augustus Zeitz, 
*J. C. Clements, Robert Kelly, *L. Lyder, Thomas Mclutyre, David 
Pierson, Alfred Robinson, Cornelius Riordan, H. T. Reed, Elisha 
Sorter, Morris Sherman, *C. H. N. Moore, W. Shipp, for petit jurors. 
The following township officers were elected in March, 1862: 
Wyandotte Township — Byron Judd, trustee; H. W. McNay, P. S. 
Ferguson, John Kane, constables; Gottard Knieffer, J. M. Barber, 
overseers of highways. Quindaro Township — E. L. Brown, trustee; 
Arad Tuttle, justice of the peace; E. O. Lane, J. Leonard, constables; 
Charles Morasch, J. Leonard, John Freeman, overseers of highways. 
Following is the record of the organization of Delaware Township: 
" At this day, January 4, 1809, J. M. Michael appeared before the 
board and presented a petition signed by himself and fifty-two other 
persons, praying that the board set oft" and organize a new township 
to be composed of the following described territory : Commencing at 
the Kansas River at a point where the east line of Township 11, 
Range 23 east of the sixth principal meridian in Kansas intersects the 
same; thence north on said line to the second standard parallel; thence 
west on the said standard jjarallel to the northwest corner of said 
Township 11. Range 23; thence south to the Kansas River; thence 
along said river to the j)oint of beginning. After due consideration 
thereof the board find that said petition is signed by fifty electors, 
resident therein, and that the territory proposed by said petition to be 
organized into a township is a part of the territory now embraced in 



•<^ S r- 



"s "V 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 199 



the township of Wyandotte, and that said proposed township contains 
an area of at least thirty square miles of territory and that the territory 
so proposed to be organized into a township contains the number of 
electors and inhabitants required by law. It is therefore ordered by 
the board, that the territory as alove described be and is hereby or- 
ganized into a township to be known and designated by the name of 
Delaware Township, and that the first election for town olBcers in 
said Delaware Township be held at the Peter Barnett store-room, in 
Edwardsville, so called, on the first Tuesday in April, 1869. It is 
further ordered by the board, that J. J. Keplinger, the county clerk 
of the county, make out a plat of said Delaware Township and place 
the same on sale in his office, and that he deliver to the proper town- 
ship officers a certified copy of said plat and record. It is further 
ordered by the board, that the county clerk make out and transmit to 
the secretary of State the name and boundary of Delaware Township, 
and the boundary of Wyandotte Township, as it now remains." 

Prairie Township was organized March 8, 1869, upon the follow- 
ing petition describing its boundaries: "We, the undersigned petition- 
ers, would respectfully pray your honorable body to establish a new 
township out of the following territory, to-wit: All that portion of 
Township No. 10, Range No. 23, in said county, said township to be 
known as Prairie Township. We would further represent, that the 
territory described contains an area of at least thirty square miles and 
has a population of two hundred inhabitants, and would further ask 
that the first election to be held for township officers be held on the 
first Tuesday in April, at the Prairie and Connor Precinct." The pe- 
tition was signed by S. S. Kessler, Henry H. Evarts and sixty-two others. 
The territory described was formerly embraced in the township of 
Quindaro. It was ordered that " the first election be held at Con- 
nor's Station and at the school house near the John Connor place, the 
place where the fall elections were held in Prairie Precinct, on the 
first Tuesday in April, A. D. 1869." 

Quindaro Township was re-established April 5, 1869, upon a petition 
then presented to the board praying that the boundary of Quindaro 
Township be established as follows: "AH that portion of Township 
No. 10, Ranges 24 and 25, in Wyandotte County." This petition 
was signed by fifty residents and electors of the proposed township. 
After due consideration the board found that the petition was signed 
by the number of electors and residents required by law, that the ter- 
ritory proposed to be erected into a township comprised in part the 







territory then embraced in tbe townsliip of Wyandotte and all the 
territory therefore contained in Quindaro Township after Prairie 
Township had been organized from its territory, and that the pro- 
posed township would contain the area required by law and the requi- 
site population and number of voters; and it was ordered by the board, 
that the territory, as above described, be organized into a township to 
be known and designated by the name of Quindaro Township, and 
that the first election for township officers be held at the usual 
place of holding elections in Quindaro Precinct and Six-mile Pre- 
cinct on the first Tuesday in April, 1869. 

The record of the establishment of Shawnee Townsbij). also on 
April 5, 1869, is as follows: "And now, on this day, a petition was 
presented to the board, signed by John M. Ainsworth and seventy 
other persons residents of Wyandotte Township and County, south of 
the Kansas River, praying that all that portion of Wyandotte County 
lying south of the Kansas River, and not included in the corporate 
limits of Wyandotte City, be set off and organized into a new town- 
ship, to be known and designated as Shawnee Township. After due 
consideration thereof, the board do find that said petition is signed by 
the number of electors and residents therein required by law, and that 
the territory proposed by said petition to be erected into a new town- 
ship is a part of the territory now embraced in the township of Wyan- 
dotte, and that said proposed township contains the territory requisite 
to form a township, according to an act of the Legislature of the State 
of Kansas, approved 1869, and the territory so proposed to be organ- 
ized into a new township contains the number of electors and inhab- 
itants required by law. It is, therefore, ordered by the board that 
the territory above described be and is hereby organized into a town- 
ship, to be known and designated by the name of Shawnee Township, 
and that the first election of township officers in said Shawnee Town- 
ship be held at the junction of the Wyandotte and Shawnee road with 
the Shawnee and Kansas City road, on the first Tuesday in April, 
1869." 



^^F-^ 




A riONEEl: \\INTLl; SCENE. 



k^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



201 



CHAPTER XIII. 



County Inteuests, Commeucial, Political, Official and Statis- 
tical—An Unparalleled Hailway System— How Projected 
AND Developed— The Stouy' of Early and Later Railroad 
Construction — A Celebrated Murder That Grew out of I'eu- 
soNAL Difficulties between ISailkoad Projectors and Build- 
ei!s— The Railway' System of the Present— Post-offices in 
Wyandotte County — Banks — Public Buildings — The Poor 
Farm— Fair Associations— First Election in Wy-andotte 
County — First Meeting of the County Commissioners— The 
County's Civil List— Statistics of Taxation, Bonded Indebt- 
edness, Agriculture, Horticulture and Stock-Kaising— 
Wyandotte County as a Manufacturing Center- Popula- 
tion— General Claims of Pre-eminence. 



My soul aches 
To know when two authorities are up. 
Neither supreme, how soon confusion 
May enter. — Shakespeare. 



3;ACILITIES for transportation in Wyandotte 
Cotinty are unsurpassed. Railways and water- 
ways both contribute to it. The following his- 
tory of the great railway interests centering at 
the two Kansas Cities has been carefully com- 
piled, with a view to affording an adequate 
idea of the far-reaching influence of railroads 
in creating and building up the material pros- 
perity of the county. The first mention of railroad 
interests in the records is as follows: 

" To the Board of County Commissioners of Wyan- 
^'' dofte County, State of Katjsas : The Missouri River 
Railroad Company, a corporation duly chartered and 
organized under and by virtue of the laws of the State 
of Kansas, has surveyed and located, and is about to 
construct and build a railroad from the State line between the States 
of Missouri and Kansas, at a point within the county of Wyandotte, 




^. 



ilV 



202 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



to the city of Leavenworth, in the county of Leavenworth, and a 
portion of said line of road will pass through the county of Wyan- 
dotte; and the said company now desire to procure the right of way, 
and to acquire title to the lands necessary for the construction of the 
said railroad. Now, therefore, the said company by the undersigned, 
the president thereof, and in pursuance of the statutes of the State 
of Kansas in such case made and provided, hereby apply to your 
honorable body to forthwith proceed to lay off the said road and the 
lands necessary for the same, its side tracks, turnouts, depots, water 
stations, etc., as surveyed by the engineer of the said company, and 
that you at the same time assess and appraise the damages to the 
owners of the land so to be taken and used for such railroad purposes, 
to the end that the said railroad company may obtain the possession, 
right of way and title to the lands necessary for the construction of 
said railroad. " Signed by S. T. Smith, president. 

■■ County commissioners' notice to lay ofF the route of the Missouri 
River Railroad in the county of Wyandotte: Pursuant to the applica- 
tion of S. T. Smith, president of the Missouri River Railroad, made on 
the 13th day of November, A. D. 1865, the undersigned, the county 
commissioners of Wyandotte County, will, at 11 o'clock A. M. , on the 
18th day of December, A. D. 1865, proceed to lay off the route of the 
said railroad and the lands necessary for the same, its side tracks, its 
turnouts, depots, water- stations, etc., as surveyed by the engineer of 
said company, and will at the same time appraise the damages to 
the owners of the lands so to be taken and used in said county, as pro- 
vided in the statutes of the State of Kansas in such cases made and 
provided." Signed by Francis Kessler and Joseph Grindle, chairman 
and members of the board. 

The board of county commissioners caused a notice to be published 
in the Wyandotte Commercial Gazette, a newspaper published in Wy- 
andotte County, weekly, more than thirty days before December 26, 
1865, and in pursuance of said notice, on the date mentioned, they pro- 
ceeded to the line of intersection of the route of said Missouri River 
Railroad with the Eastern division of the Union Pacific Railroad, and 
proceeded over the whole route of the proposed road to the western 
boundary of the Wyandotte reserve, and examined each tract and ap- 
praised and awarded the damages separately to each of the owners of 
lands through which the route had been surveyed irrespective of any 
benefit to said owners from the construction of the railroad. 

The first survey for a railroad in this county was made from Quin- 



^-<11 



A. 



,^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 203 



daro to Lawrence, under the charter of the Missouri River & Rocky 
Mountain Raih-oad Company. The first grading for a railroad in 
Kansas was done at Wyandotte on the Kansas Valley Railroad. 
This was about twenty feet higher than the present road bed of the 
Kansas Pacific (now the Union Pacific). The Kansas Pacific Railroad 
was put in operation in 1803, and the first locomotive was called the 
"Wyandotte." The Missouri River Railroad was put in operation in 
1866. The Missouri Pacific Railroad follows the bank of the Missouri 
River under the bluff, and the principal stations in this county are 
Wyandotte, Quindaro, Pomeroy, Barker's Tank and Connor, The 
Union Pacific Railway crosses the Kansas River near Wyandotte, and 
follows along the north bank of that stream on its course west. The 
principal stations in this county are Wyandotte, Armstrong and Ed- 
wardsville. The Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern Railroad 
extends through the county north of the center, with stations at Wy- 
andotte, Quindaro, Welborn, Summunduwot, Vance, Bethel, White 
Church, Maywood, Piper Station and Menager Junction. This is the 
latest railway constructed in the county. 

The following is a copy of an invitation sent to Mr, J, V, Lane, 
now editor of the Wyandotte Herald, to attend the celebration and ex- 
cursion upon the opening of the first section of forty miles of the 
Union Pacific Railway west of the Missouri River, The excursion 
started from Wyandotte, which at that time was the eastern terminus 
of the Union Pacific Railway, The letter of invitation was dated from 
the office of the "' Union Pacific Railway Company, Eastern Division, 
St, Louis, July 1, 1864," and read as follows: 

"Dear Sir : — The Government of the United States a little more than 
a year ago, with a wisdom looking far beyond the burdens and anxieties 
of the hour, provided aid for the construction of a railroad from the 
Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean, Stimulated by its liberality, and by 
the spirit of American enterprise, the work has been undertaken, and 
already the first section of forty miles is nearing completion. The 
opening of this section giving earne.st to the people of the country 
that within the time prescribed by law the great highway will be built 
to San Francisco, bringing into closer union the States of the Atlantic 
and the Pacific, and offering to the industrial enterprises of our people 
theincalculable wealth of a continent, is an event worthy of commemo- 
ration by the leading men of America. You are respectfully invited 
to attend the celebration, and will be received by the committee of 
arrangements at Weston, Missouri, on the ISth day of August next, on 



ik 



204 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



the arrival of the morning train from the East. Upon the receipt from 
you of an acceptance of this invitation, addressed to me at 58 Beaver 
Street, New York, you will be furnished with a free pass to Kansas 
and return, good over all the principal intermediate roads." It was 
signed, "Faithfully yours, Samuel Hallett." The invitation card 
was worded as follows: "The Union Pacific Railway Company, East- 
ern Division, invite you to be present, as per letter of Mr. Samuel 
Hallett, to celebrate the opening of the first section of forty miles of 
their road west from the Missouri River. ' ' 

Shortly after the date of Mr. Hallett" s letter of invitation,' and be- 
fore the date set for the excursion, Mr. Hallett was shot and killed at 
Wyandotte by O. A. Talcutt. The history of this tragedy is some- 
what differently related by different narrators, but all agree that it 
grew out of difficulties about the construction of the road and money 
matters connected therewith, in which Messrs. Hallett and Talcutt 
were personally involved over conflicting interests. It is such an im- 
portant part of the railroad history of Wyandotte County and Kansas 
City, Kas. , that it is given here as it has been related by contempo- 
rary witnesses. Hallett was contractor and general manager of the 
Kansas Pacific Railroad. Talcutt was its chief engineer, represent- 
ing the capitalists. On the morning of July 27, 1864, Talcutt rode 
into Wyandotte from Quindaro and hitched his pony in front of Hol- 
eomb's drug store on Third Street, two or three doors north of the 
Garno House. He had with him a Henry rifle, which was something 
new in those days and caused quite a crowd to assemble around the 
steps of the drug store. The rifle was handed to Judge Sharp to ex- 
amine. He saw that it was loaded, and while he was carefully noting 
the processes of loading and discharging the weapon, Talcutt hur- 
riedly snatched it from his hands and walked quickly into the store. 
Wondering what caused these strange movements. Judge Sharp turned 
around and saw Samuel Hallett coming across the street from his 
office on Kansas Avenue. Passing the drug store, Mr. Hallett lifted 
his hat with a pleasant bow and passed on to the Garno House fur 
dinner. An hour afterward as Judge Sharp was coming down from 
dinner and had reached the crossing of Kansas Avenue and Third 
Street, he saw Mr. Hallett coming across the street some sixty feet 
north of the di'ug store. At that moment Talcutt came out of the 
store, and standing on the steps with a crowd of men on every side, 
he lifted his gun and taking deliberate aim at Hallett, fired, the ball 
striking the latter in the back. Hallett turned half round and look- 







ing back exclaimed: ''My God, Talcutt, you have killed me!" and 
fell forward on his face. He was carried to his rooms in the Garno 
House, but was dead before he reached there, the ball having passed 
entirely through his body. Quite a large number were in the streets 
at the time and many more rushed from the Garno House, from stores 
and dwellings, but so dumbfounded were they all that before any one 
rallied from the shock, Talcutt had moiinted his pony and dashed 
away. The utmost excitement prevailed. SherifP Ferguson ordered 
out a large force of men and scoured the country in every direction. 
One party hunted in and around Quindaro, his home, for a week, night 
and day. Another party took the overland route for Lawrence, while 
a third hunted the territory where Kansas City, Kas. , now stands, 
then only a heavily timbered bottom, grown up underneath the large 
timber with underbrush. Dozens of Wyandotte citizens crept among 
the underbrush day after day, but without any reward. One party 
found a place west of the town where a man had slept in a hay- stack 
and had eaten, but the owner of the place claimed to know nothing 
of such occurrences. Talcutt lived at Quindaro and had boarded with 
a party by the name of McGee, who afterward had his house burned. 
Then was found the place where Talcutt had been secreted under the 
large doorsteps, an entrance having been made from the cellar. It 
was not until fifteen years later that Talcutt was arrested in Colorado 
and brought back to Wyandotte for trial. Had he been captured im- 
mediately after the commission of his crime, he would doubtless have 
been lynched without ceremony; but it is well known that no such tragic 
fate was dealt out to him in vindication of outraged law. The excite- 
ment had died away and Samuel Hallett's work and its importance to 
Kansas City and Wyandotte County had been in a measure lost sight 
of, for other important improvements had been crowding each other 
ever since, and railroads had so multiplied as to be no longer a novelty. 
There is something in the history of Hallett's career that will be of 
interest, affecting as it did the future of both Wyandotte and Leaven- 
worth. Hallett came to Leavenworth in the fall of 1803, and having 
secured the right of way for a railroad, previously granted under the 
Territorial government to the Leavenworth, Pawnee & Lawrence Rail- 
road Company, he proposed to some of the capitalists of Leavenworth, 
to put a railroad across the country, and received pledges for the un- 
dertaking. Work was begun at once, and a road was built to what is 
now known as the "Junction "' on tbe Missouri Pacific, near Leaven- 
worth. One authority savs that, calling for funds, Hallett was given 



!> "V ' 



^< 



200 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



the cold shoulder and told to go ahead with the road. This was in 
February, 1864. The Missouri Pacific was approaching Jefferson 
City, and Hallett saw that if ground could be broken at the mouth of 
the Kaw for the beginning of the new road to be known as the Kansas 
Pacific, a connection between it and the Missouri Pacific could be 
made more quickly, and leave Leavenworth out in the cold. Quietly 
maturing his plans and contracts, he one morning began work without 
a soul in Wyandotte knowing of his intention beforehand. Word 
reached the city about 10 o'clock that morning that work had begun 
on the new railroad. Hundreds of citizens went down on foot and in 
carriages and found a hundred men at work, cutting an opening 
through the woods south of Armstrong. Wyandotte boiled over with 
excitement. Property went up 100 per cent during the week. Hal- 
lett opened an office at the foot of Kansas Avenue, and the streets 
were thronged with laboring men. By the middle of April more than 
a thousand laborers were employed. Samuel Hallett was general 
manager, his brother, John, was employed as superintendent, and an- 
other brother, Thomas, was an assistant. O. A. Talcutt was chief 
engineer. About the middle of May, Samuel Hallett went to St. 
Louis and Chicago, leaving the office work with his brother John. It 
has been stated that soon after Hallett left Talcutt came in from the 
western terminus of the road, and drawing the amount of money due 
him, went to St. Louis, where he met Samuel Hallett and asked for 
more money, which was paid him by Hallett without Hallett's knowl- 
edge of his having been settled with in full at the office. One who 
has told the story says, that a week later, Samuel Hallett was called 
to Washington, and while conferring with President Lincoln about the 
road, Mr. Lincoln called his attention to a letter received from Tal- 
cutt, in which it was claimed that Hallett was constructing a cheap 
road, that the material was of the poorest kind, and that the bridges 
would not hold up a year, stamping Hallett in general as a swindler. 
Mr. Hallett is said to have made a showing of his contract, and of the 
amount of work done, whereupon Mr. Lincoln is said to have declared 
that Talcutt ' ' ought to be spanked. ' " It is further stated that Mr. 
Hallett mailed Talcutt' s letter to the President to his brother John. 
A week later Talcutt returned to Wyandotte and went at once to Hal- 
lett' s office. John Hallett showed him the letter that he had sent to 
Washington and said, " President Lincoln says you should be spanked 
and I am going to do it." Being a big, two-fisted fellow, it is said 
John Hallett took Talcutt across his knee and summarily adminstered 



^ 



•fj «_ 



k^ 




the spanking. Being released, Talcutt drew Lis revolver, but John 
Hallett's hand came down upon him again, and before he could 
make any successful attempt at resistance, his assailant had opened 
the door and hurled him through it into the middle of the street. 

From Washington, Samuel Hallett went to New York, and worked 
up a large capital for the Kansas Pacific, Thomas Durant representing 
it. On his return, he stopped at St. Louis, and induced John D. Perry 
and others to invest. On his arrival at Wyandotte, a large and enthu- 
siastic meeting was held, in which it was resolved (o push forward the 
work. George Francis Train was one of the speakers. The sudden 
death of Hallett was a serious blow to Wyandotte. It was claimed by 
many, and has been by many denied, that a letter was found at Qiiin- 
daro written to Talcutt, from persons in Leavenworth, offering him 
money to kill Hallett. Be that as it may, Leavenworth felt sore over 
the boom at Wyandotte, and immediately after the beginning of work 
there by Hallett, it is said, a large delegation of prominent citizen.s 
of Leavenworth called on him and offered him large inducements to 
return there. Samuel Hallett was spoken of by many as a gentleman 
of culture, who made friends wherever he went. It is said that at one 
time he figured in London in stocks of some kind, and was arrested for 
debt. Later he negotiated loans in England and in Spain to build the 
Atlantic & Great Western Railway. His family spent most of their 
time in Eunipe, and at the time of his death they were in Paris. Later 
they returned to Hornellsville, N. Y. His son, Samuel Hallett, Jr., 
cameto Wyandotte and married a sister of Hon. E. L. Bartlett. There 
can be no doubt that Hallett was a man of exceptional business ca- 
pacity and success, but his methods have been called in question by 
some, and it has been claimed that he was not so blameless in the 
trouble with Talcutt as his friends would have liad him appear. Mr. 
John Speer, writing to the Topeka Commonwealth said: '"I think the 
story of President Lincoln showing Samuel Hallett a letter from Tal- 
cutt in a familiar way is exceedingly thin. I do not think Talcutt 
ever wrote to the President, and if he had done so Hallett was not in 
the habit of walking into the executive chamber and familiarly reading 
Old Abe's letters. From memory, the circumstances, or rumors of 
them, were these: Mr. Talcutt was chief engineer of the Kansas Pacific, 
representing the capitalists — the principal of whom was John D. Perry, 
of St. Louis; or he may have represented Fremont, or both. Hallett, 
in his imperious way, had demanded that Talcutt should make an offi- 
cial report of progress of the work entirely inconsistent with the truth. 



V » 
$ 



1 



208 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



under oath, either to get the first subsidy of 116,000 a mile, for twenty 
miles, from the Government, or to secure more money from the capi- 
talists by representations that the first donation of $820,000 was due. 
This Talcutt positively refused to do. Hallett left for Washington, 
attempting to get the proof in some other way, but, when there, met a 
report of Talcutt in the proper department, which entirely blockaded 
his little game. Samuel Hallett then telegraphed to Thomas Hallett 
to whip Talcutt. Tom Hallett, being a burly, stout man of 200 
pounds, and Talcutt a little, feeble man of not over 125 poimds, the 
former proceeded at once to chastise him, and gave him an unmerciful 
whipping. Talcutt awaited the arrival of Samuel Hallett, and "laid 
for him " with a rifle, and shot him dead in the street, just after he 
passed him. It was a deliberate, premeditated act, but the whipping 
by Tom Hallett was unmerciful and undeserved. I do not believe 
tliere was any reason for the story that some one in Leavenworth hired 
him to do the deed, though that story was told at the time. If Talcutt 
had been tried at the time, with the evidence of his excited condition, 
amounting almost to insanity, and of his terrible provocation fresh in 
the public mind, I doubt if a jury could have been found to convict 
him." 

In this connection some incidents of the first work on the road will 
be interesting. John Hallett had a kind of general charge of it, and 
seemed to be almost making his own location as he progressed. Mr. 
Speer states that all Lawrence was startled one day by a report that 
the road was being graded some three miles north of the city, and a 
committee at once went over in two hacks to near where the road crosses 
Mud Creek. No one was there to tell anything to the committee, and 
the 400 hands passed west grading slightly — in some places merely 
cutting a little ditch, in some not even breaking the grass; but they 
called it "grading," though, it is said, there was not enough done to 
stop a plow from crossing the track. Various committees were ap- 
pointed and conferences held. In an interview with Senator Lane, 
Samuel Hallett said he would not vary his location out of a direct line 
on account of the road being a great national highway subsidized by 
the Government; but he finally consented to make such a change as 
was demanded, if Mr. Lane would get a majority of the L'nited States 
Senate to petition him for it. Mr. Lane not only induced every Re- 
publican senator to sign the request, but secured the signature of Mr. 
Lincoln at its head, asking for the location of the road on the bank of 
the river opposite Lawrence and Topeka— for Topeka had fears of the 

I g' - I. "^ fc 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 209 



same treatment that Lawrence had received. Still the location was 
not made to Lawrence, and Hallett wanted $300,000 of Douglas 
County bonds. Mr. Lane then got an amendatory bill passed, author- 
izing the location of the road to Lawrence and Topeka; but this bill 
was subject to the acceptance of the company. Mr. Speer was sent to 
Washington by the citizens of Lawrence to work in behalf of the loca- 
tion, John D. Perry, Samuel Hallett and perhaps other stockholders 
being there. He states that one day. "as Lane lay on a couch in his 
room, Hallett came in and took a seat by Lane's side. With all his 
suavity of manner he said: 'Senator, we have concluded that we can 
not change the road to Lawrence, unless Douglas County will give us 
$300,000 in bonds to pay the extra expenses. ' Lane raised up in bed, 
his eyes fairly flashing with indignation. It was just after the Law- 
rence massacre. 'You shall not get a dollar out of that burned and 
murdered town. Yon shall take up every stump and log you have 
buried, and make a first-class road in every respect, and, when you 
get a dollar of your subsidies, let me know it.' Lane lay back in his 
bed. Hallett essayed to speak. Lane waved his hand. 'No words; 
my mind is made up." Hallett left. I was scared — fearful our peo- 
ple would be defeated — but Lane merely remarked: 'He will want to 
see me worse to-morrow than he did to-day.' The next day I met 
Lane on Pennsylvania Avenue. He drew up his face, and, in a quiz- 
zical manner, said: 'Hallett sent for me for an interview.' 'Well, 
did you have it?' ' No o-o; I told his friend that Hallett was a posi- 
tive man, and had probably made up his mind. He will want to see 
me worse to morrow than to-day.' The next day Hallett met him and 
entered into an agreement in writing to locate the road to Lawrence, 
and both signed it. Lane, however, put a postscript to it, to the 
effect that it was his understanding that the people of Lawrence 
were to pay for the extra cost of grading. He also got a copy of a 
dispatch to John Hallett, in Sam Hallett's handwriting, which I 
copied and had sent, and then brought the original to Lawrence." 
Thus the road was located. Shortly after this arrangement with 
Lane, Mr. Hallett returned to Wyandotte and was shot. "But a few 
days before the homicide," continues Mr. Speer, "Samuel and John 
Hallett were riding in a buggy when they met Talcutt, and one of 
them said to him: " We'll fix you; we have the tools to do it, and we'll 
teach you to report.' Talcutt said: 'I don't hold Tom responsible. 
Y'ou could hire any dirty nigger to do his work.' And he kept his 
word. Talcutt was right about the road. It was a common saving 



6 ""V ' 



ihL, 



210 , HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



that Hallett laid the track before he graded, and when John D. Perry 
got control the work had to be done over again." 

In a letter to Hon. John Speer, who has been quoted above. Judge 
B. F. Kingsbury wrote as follows : "I can corroborate most of the 
statements made by you. I concur also in the general inference to be 
derived from your letter, that Mr. Hallett was a fraud, and also in 
your statement that it is exceedingly doubtful if Mr. Talcutt would 
have been convicted if tried at the time. My opportunities for know- 
ing something of that road were briefly these: Early in the fall of 
1803 I received a letter from George Robinson, postmarked Wyan- 
dotte, in which he informed me that he had been sent out by Gen. 
Fremont to act as chief engineer of the Kansas Pacific road, and urg- 
ing me very strongly to accept a position as engineer on the road. Mr. 
Robinson and I had been partners iu civil and mining engineering 
some years ago, with an office at Scranton, Penn. I went to Wyan- 
dotte and found things considerably mixed. Mr. Talcutt was acting 
as chief engineer in the location of the road from Wyandotte to Law- 
rence. Mr. Robinson was also recognized as chief engineer, or at 
least seemed to do about as he pleased, but was more of a consulting 
engineer at that time. I do not remember that Robinson and Talcutt 
ever came in conflict in regard to matters connected with the road. 
After a time it was decided to locate a road from Leavenworth to 
Lawrence, and Robinson was put in charge. A large corps was or- 
ganized, and we proceeded to the Leavenworth end of the line. 
Robinson staid with us until we were fairlj' started, when he turned 
the party over to me, and returned to Wyandotte, and I completed 
the survey and location to Lawrence. When I returned to Wyan- 
dotte, I waited a month or two for the pay, which I never got. as the 
Halletts were paying no one, and returned home in the latter part of 
the winter of 1863-64. I did no work on the Kansas Pacific road, ex- 
cept to ride out with Robinson at two or three different times to help 
take measurements for bridges, culverts, etc., and I can remember 
remarking to Robinson, on one occasion, that an engineer who would 
allow a road to be constructed in such a manner, was an ignoramus, or ' 
a fraud. I afterward heard of the protests of Talcutt, and of his re- 
fusal to make certain affidavits, and that trouble was likely to grow 
out of it. From the above brief statements you will see that I know 
something of the early history of the road. I never could understand 
the true inwardness of affairs, but my conclusions were that the whole 
thing was a fraud ; that Talcutt, as an houest man, could not have 



^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



211 



made a different report from the one he was said to have made; that 
he was grossly insulted and abused, and I doubt if he ever received 
any pay for the work be did. Of course the murder of Mr. Hallett 
was unjustifiable, but if Talcutt had been tried at the time, I believe 
he would have been acquitted." Such is the history of a tragic event 
connected with the early railway interests of the two Kansas Cities, 
which culminated in what is now Kansas City, Kas. The railway his- 
tory of the sister cities has been almost inseparably connected from the 
first. All that has contributed to the growth of one city has contrib- 
uted to the growth of the other. It was by means of railways having 
their course partly in Wyandotte County that Kansas City. Mo., se- 
cured some of its most important outlets to the West and Northwest. 
The Union Depot is located almost on the border line between the two 
cities, and since the recent arrangement, by which the Kansas City, 
Wyandotte & Northwestern Railroad makes connection with other 
lines at the Union Depot, that point is the center of the railway inter- 
ests of the two cities. The part taken by Wyandotte County, and by 
Kansas, in those early railroad projects, which did so much to make 
Kansas City the center of the trade of the entire Southwest, has been 
no insignificant one. 

The magnificent railway system of Kansas City was not the result 
of chance or force of circumstances. The lines reaching to the great 
lakes on the north, and the Gulf of Mexico on the south, the Pacific 
coast on the west and the great cities of the east, were jjlanued and 
outlined from the first. Kansas City, by reason of the natural ad- 
vantages which gave it control of the traffic of the country when con- 
ducted by batteaux, steamboats, pack horses and wagons, combined 
with the enterprise of its citizens, has been made a great railway cen- 
ter; and when we say Kansas City, we mean neither Kansas City, 
Mo., nor Kansas City, Kas., but the Kansas City known to the world 
at large, which comprises both. It was a favorite dream of some of 
its early citizens, encouraged by such men as Senator Benton, Gov. 
Gilpin and Gen. Fremont, that here wotild be a great distributing 
point where the products of the North would meet the tropical prod- 
ucts of the South; where the products of the manufactories of the 
East would meet the metallic wealth of the West, and the silks and 
teas of China and Japan be exchanged and distributed throughout 
the world. This dream has already been realized. More than twenty 
lines of railroad from every point of the compass, with innumerable 
branches penetrating the interior, and main lines reaching the sea- 



1^1 



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212 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



coast in ever}' direction, meet in the city and exchange passengers and 
freight. The first railroad meeting held in Kansas City, Mo., was 
called in 1856. Its object was to raise funds to pay the expense of a 
preliminary survey of a road projected from this point to Keokuk, 
Iowa, and which was to be a link in a direct line to Chicago, and also 
make connection with the Hannibal & St. Joseph road at Hudson, 
Mo. A committee was appointed to visit Keokuk and interest the 
people of that place and obtain their aid in the enterprise. Another 
road proposed about this time was the Kansas City, Lake Superior & 
Galveston Road, to give Kansas City connection with Lake Superior 
on the north, and Galveston, Tex., on the south. A branch from 
Kansas City to Cameron, Mo., on the Hannibal & St. Joseph road, was 
to be the first link in this road north. The Missouri Pacific was the 
first road from the east to reach Kansas City. 

Work was begun on the Missouri Pacific at St. Louis July 4, 1850, 
and progressed by slow degrees westward. On reaching Jefferson 
City, a line of steamers to Kansas City was placed on the river by the 
company for the transfer of its freight and passengers. It was 
not completed to Kansas City until September 21, 1865. When this 
road was first projected, Independence, Mo., was designated as the 
western terminus, but Kansas City assumed such importance before 
the road was completed that Independence was lost sight of in this 
connection. In May, 1862, Congress passed the Union Pacific Rail- 
road bill. Work was begun on the Kansas branch by Samuel Hallett 
(whose murder by Talcutt has been narrated) and Gen. Fremont, 
July 7, 1863, and November 18, following, forty-one miles of the road 
had been completed. The iron and equipment for this part of the 
road arrived by rail at St. Joseph about the time the river closed with 
ice; and it was not until the opening of navigation in the spring that 
they were brought to Kansas City, arriving March 24, 1864. The 
engine belonging to this outfit was the first ever seen here. This road 
was opened to Lawrence, Kas., December 19, 1864, and was com- 
pleted to Denver, Colo., in August, 1871. In June, 1864, the North 
Missouri Railroad, now the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad, se- 
cured the franchise of the Missouri Valley Railroad from Brunswick, 
Mo., to Leavenworth, Kas., and at once began building a line to 
Kansas City. The road was completed to the city December 8, 1868. 
It was known at one time as the Kansas City, St. Louis & Northern 
Railway. As early as 1857 a railroad was projected from Kansas 
City to Junction City, Kas., running up the south side of the Kansas 



^f^ 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 213 



River, to be known as the Kansas Valley Railroad. A ebarter was 
obtained from the Kansas Legislature by a company composed of citi- 
zens of Lawrence and Kansas City. Nothing was done toward the 
construction of this road until the Kansas Pacitic branch was put 
under construction, when the charter was allowed to lapse. In Maj', 
1864, the project of a railroad between Kansas City and Fort Scott 
began to be agitated. This was to be the commencement of a road 
heretofore outlined from Kansas City to Galveston, Tex., and a part 
of the great line from Lake Superior, passing through Kansas City 
to the Gulf of Mexico. The war shattered most enterprises, and 
shattered Kansas City's hopes for speedy commercial supremacy; but 
her citizens took heart from the knowledge that the main line of the 
Union Pacitic Railroad started within her limits and was in operation 
as far as Lawrence, while the Missouri Pacific was nearly comj^Ieted. 
In February. 1865, the Missouri Legislature granted a charter for a 
railroad from Kansas City to the Iowa State line, in the direction of 
Council Bluffs, via St. Joseph, and embracing what had been built of 
the Kansas City & St. Joseph Railroad from St. Joseph to AYeston. 
The interest in the road to Fort Scott was revived, and the Kansas 
Legislature memorialized Congress for a grant of land for it. Track- 
laying on the Missouri Pacitic was begun in February, but was de- 
layed by the bushwhacker troubles of that time. The old Kansas & 
Neosho Valley Company was reorganized under the presidency of 
Col. Kersey Coates, and measures were taken without delay for the 
construction of the line. A proposition was submitted to the people 
of Kansas City, September 19, that they vote $200,000 to aid this 
object, and $25,000 toward the completion of the Kansas City & St. 
Joseph Railroad from Weston to Kansas City. September 14, five 
days before the election, Capt. Charles G. Keeler had begun work on 
the Fort Scott road. Both lines were aided generously by Kansas 
City. In November, following, Johnson and Miami Counties, Kas. , 
each voted the Fort Scott road .$200,000. This it was thought would 
practically secure its construction. As projected before the war. this 
road was to have run to Galveston, and its friends were now watching 
and waiting for an opportunity to secure its right of way through the 
Indian Territory. Such an opportunity was soon presented. During 
the war the Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Seminoles, Shawnees, Kio 
was, Wichitas, Osages, Comanches, Senecas, Quapaws and Cherokees, 
had, in whole or in part, joined the Rebellion. In consequence, the Gov- 
ernment took the ground that these Indians had nullified all treaties 



t 



214 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



formerly existing between them and the United States, and that new 
treaties must be made, and Jiidge D. N. Cooley (commissioner of In- 
dian affairs), Hon. Elijah Sells (superintendent of the Southern super- 
intendency). Col. Parker (of Gen. Grant's staff), Gen. Harney, 
of St. Louis, Thomas Nixon, of Philadelphia, and others, were ap 
pointed commissioners on (he part of the Government to meet the 
Indians at Fort Smith, September 5, to negotiate such treaties. The 
friends of the railroad recognized in this treaty an opportunity to 
secure the much desired right of way, and the Kansas City Chamber 
of Commerce appointed Col. R. T. Van Horn, Col. E. M. McGee, 
Col. M. J. Payne and Mathew Mudeater (a Wyandotte Indian of 
Wyandotte County), the Kansas City delegation to the conference. 
The balance of the delegation consisted of Silas Armstrong (of Wy- 
andotte County), Col. Wilson, Maj. Eeyuolds and Gen. C. W. Blair, 
of Fort Scott, and Gen. R. B. Mitchell, of Paola, and Col. T. J. 
Haines and Gen. James G. Blunt. These representatives of their 
several localities secured the right of way through the Territory from 
Kansas to Texas, and at the instance of St. Louis capitalists, a right 
of way was secured across the Territory from east to west, which was 
afterward utilized by the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad. 

Interest in the Kansas City & Cameron road was revived early 
in this year. This road had been practically built before the war by 
M. Quealy, under a contract between its promoters and the Hannibal 
& St. Joseph Railroad Company. New directors were chosen April 
29, with Maj. W. C. Ransom, as president, and they immediately 
opened negotiations with Mr. Quealy for a settlement for the work 
already done, and for the completion of the road under a new arrange- 
ment. This object was accomplished, but at a considerable advance, 
necessitated by war values, upon the original contract price, and work 
was resumed about the close of 1865. The directors instructed Chief 
Engineer John A. J. Chapman (formerly of W'yandotte County) to 
make a survey of the river for a bridge, which was completed satis- 
factorily. It was not until the latter part of 1866 that the company 
succeeded in reviving the old contract with the Hannibal & St. Jo- 
seph Railroad Company, though, as has been seen, Mr. Quealj' was 
pushing the work forward as fast as possible. The Missouri Pacific 
was completed September 21, 1865, and opened with great rejoicing 
on the part of the people of this part of the country. The North 
Missouri Railroad people resumed operations as soon as the bush- 
whackers were driven from the country. 



i) \ 



U±H 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 215 



In October, 18r>5, D. R. Garrison, of the Missouri Pacitic, con- 
tracted with the Kansas City & Leavenworth Company to bnild that 
line, and the work was begun at once. It had for some time been 
recognized that the natural laws of commerce strongly favored Kan- 
sas City as compared with Leavenworth, and Kansas politicians mani- 
fested no better feeling toward Kansas City than they had done in 
ante-helium days. Senator Lane, of Lawrence, favoring Kansas 
trade for Kansas towns, projected an extensive railroad scheme for 
Kansas. At that time what is now Kansas City, Kas., was compara- 
tively insignificant, and he had no idea that beside Kansas City, Mo., 
would grow up Kansas City, Kas., the metropolis of the State, and 
that by striking a blow at one city he was delaying the development 
of the other. In this scheme were embraced a line from Pleasant 
Hill to Lawrence, and one from Leavenworth, through Lawrence, to 
the southern boundary of the State, toward Fort Gibson, with a view 
to securing to Lawrence the terminus of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, 
and also the railroad Kansas City had been so long endeavoring to 
secure to the Gulf of Mexico. Even at this early day St. Louis began 
to see danger to her trade in the rapid advance of Kansas City, and 
readily allied herself with Senator Lane and his associates, although 
the success of his scheme would have connected the Kansas railroads 
with the Hannibal & St. Josejah road, and taken the trade of Kansas. 
Colorado, New Mexico and Texas to Chicago. In pvirsviance of his 
plan to get his gulf railroad into the field first. Senator Lane caused 
work to be begun at Lawrence, June 2(). In November a survey was 
made of a branch to Emporia, authorized by the charter, and the 
Pleasant Hill & Lawrence road was surveyed. The first rail was 
laid on the Atchison & Pike's Peak road (the central branch of the 
Union Pacitic), and the survey of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 
road was begun at Atchison. 

Early in 1866 a bill was passed in the Kansas Legislature, dividing 
about 120,000 acres of land, given the State for internal improvements, 
between several railroad corporations. Of this aggregate the Fort 
Scott & Gulf Railroad received 25,000 acres. In February a bill was 
introduced in the House of Representatives, at Washington, granting 
certain lands in Kansas to the Kansas & Neosho Railroad Company, 
and granting a franchise through the Indian Territory. A bill grant- 
ing about 800,000 acres of land to the Fort Scott Railroad, became a 
law in July. At the session of the Kansas Legislature, early in 1866, 
the name of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Fort Gibson Railroad was 







changed to Leavenwortli, Lawrence & Galveston, and soon afterward, 
the Kansas ic Neosbo Valley road became known as the Missouri Kiv- 
er, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad. On May 15 the first train was run 
from Leavenworth to Lawrence. In July, Congress chartered the 
Southern branch of the Union Pacific Railway, with the right to run 
from Fort Riley down the Neosho River to Fort Smith. About the 
same time the Senate confirmed the treaty with the Delaware Indians, 
by which their reservation in Kansas was sold for the benefit of the 
Missouri River Railroad Company — then just completed between Kan- 
sas City and Leavenworth. In July, a bill introduced in Congress by 
Hon. Sidney Clarke, of Kansas, became a law, allowing the Union Pa- 
cific Railroad to construct its line up the Smoky Hill Valley, instead 
of up the Republican Valley, the original bill having required the 
main line from Kansas City and the branch from Omaha to connect at 
the one hundredth meridian, between the Platte and Republican Riv- 
ers, in Nebraska. The new bill allowed each to adopt its own line, and 
locate the junction at any available point within 100 miles west of 
Denver. The main line had then reached Fort Riley, and during 1866 
the western freighting and mails were received at that point instead of 
at Kansas City. 

In May, Col. Charles E. Kearney became president of the Kansas 
City, Lake Superior & Galveston Railroad Company (formerly the 
Kansas City & Cameron Railroad). Little work had been done on 
account of deficiency of means. Kansas City men subscribed $52,000. 
Only $25,000 more was required to complete the road. The board of 
directors, through their former president, had been trying to seeuie 
a renewal of the old contract with the Hannibal & St. Joseph Rail 
road Company, which had been made originally through J. T. K. 
Hayward, at the time superintendent of the Hannibal & St. Joseph 
road. While professing to be working in the interest of Kansas 
City, Mr. Hayward had made an agreement with the Leavenworth 
people to procure a contract between them and the Hannibal & St. 
Joseph Company, to build a road from Cameron to Leavenworth, a 
charter having been procured by Leavenworth during the war. Col. 
Kearney was not long in informing himself of the state of affairs, and 
took prompt measures to defeat the opposition. The board of di- 
rectors convened June 1, and agents were appointed to visit Boston, 
and make a contract with the Hannibal company. Col. Kearney 
immediately telegraphed Col. Coates, at AVashington. in Kansas 
City's interest, to go to Boston, and, if possible, delay the closing of 



^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



the Leavenworth contract until the arrival of the agents. Arriving 
in Boston, Col. Coates learned that the Leavenworth contract had 
been agreed on, and was to be executed the following Monday, bnt 
he obtained the desired stay of proceedings upon representation of 
the prior contract. The agents, one of whom was Gen. John W. 
Eeid, met several of the Boston directors in the office of the rail- 
road company, and, with the aid of Col. Coates, resurrected the old 
contract, and when they presented their cause in its first light, they 
were referred to Hon. James F. Joy, of Detroit, the company's gen- 
eral manager. Mr. Joy agreed to the revival of the old contract, 
upon" condition that Kansas City would obtain Congressional au- 
thority for a bridge across the river. As soon as the facts were 
before him. Col. Kearney wired Col. Van Horn, in Washington, and 
on the following morning Col. Van Horn went to the chairman of 
the committee on post-ofiSces and post-roads, who was to report a bill 
on the following Monday, providing for the construction of bridges 
at Quincy, Clinton, and other places, and with some difficulty, induced 
him to admit an amendment, authorizing a bridge at Kansas City. 
The following day, as soon as the House opened, the bill was called 
up, and Col. Van Horn offered his amendment, and it was accepted. 
Then the chairman moved the previous question. At this juncture 
Hon. Sidney Clarke, of Kansas, entered, and in great haste drew up 
an amendment for a bridge at Leavenworth. But the previous ques- 
tion had been seconded, and this amendment could not be attached. 
The bill passed, and in a day from the time Mr. Joy's decision was 
reported in Kansas City, Kansas City had complied with all its con- 
ditions and secured a double triumph over her rival. This victory 
doubtless turned the scale in favor of Kansas City. Leavenworth was 
already virtually the terminus of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and 
had a branch of the Union Pacific, and had she secured the Hannibal 
& St. Joseph road, she would have become the railway center of the 
Missouri Valley. August 19 a party of engineers, under Col. O. Cha- 
nute, began a re-survey of the river for the bridge. November 10 
Col. Kearney advertised for materials for the bridge, and December 1 
he let contracts for its construction to Messrs. Vipont and Walker. 
These decisive measures caused the North Missouri Railroad Com- 
pany to terminate its western branch at Kansas City, instead of at 
Leavenworth, and in October the contract for the immediate construc- 
tion of that road was let to J. Condit Smith. Meantime the favorable 
situation in which the Missouri River. Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad had 



r 



218 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



been placed by the land grant and charter tbrongh the Indian Terri- 
tory, enabled it to begin the construction of the road, and the con 
tract for the first hundred miles was let, August 23, to Messrs. A. H. 
Waterman & Co. 

No sooner had Kansas City distanced the rivalry of Leavenworth 
than she found St. Loi;is assuming the attitude of an euemv'. The 
rapid concentration of railroads at this point, which had alarmed St. 
Louis in 1865, and led her to fall so readily into. Senator Lane's 
schemes, now influenced her to do all she could to foster the Pleasant 
Hill & Lawrence Railroad project as a means of diverting trade from 
Kansas Cit}'. St. Louis capital controlled the Missouri Pacific Rail- 
road, and it was now turned against Kansas City as an opposing in- 
fluence which it was difficult to combat. On a specious plea of wash- 
outs in the road between Kansas City and Lawrence, an arrangement 
was affected in the summer of 1866, whereby freight for points west 
of Lawrence was taken by way of Leavenworth instead of being 
transferred at Kansas City, and more favorable rates were afforded 
Leavenworth than were accorded to Kansas City. Passenger fares 
between Leavenworth and St. Louis exceeded those between Kansas 
City and St. Louis, by but 50 cents. 

Early in 1867 the Kansas City & Cameron Railroad Company 
found itself still without funds to complete its line. President Kear- 
ney and others went to Chicago to sell S1()0,00() worth of Kansas City- 
bonds, and they and Kansas City were made the subjects of violent 
and derisive attacks in the St. Louis newspapers. Soon afterward, 
under authority from the Legislature of Missouri, they mortgaged the 
road to the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company. But it was 
yet necessary to raise $25,000 to $30,000. After a second futile at- 
tempt to have this amount voted by Jackson County, Mo. , defeated 
by the voters outside of Kansas City, Mr. Joy, president of the Han- 
nibal & St. Joseph road, offered to take the road off the hands of 
the company, cancel the people's subscription of $60,000, and com- 
plete the road by December 1, on condition that the city and Clay 
County, Mo., would release to him their stock in the road. After 
some delay this proposition was accepted, and from that time forward 
the work of construction progressed rapidly. The corner-stone of 
the Kansas City bridge was laid August 21, and the last rail of the 
road.was laid November 22, Col. Kearney, and William Gillis, the old- 
est resident of Kansas City, driving the last spike. Col. Kearney 
sent concrratulations to the Chicago Board of Trade and the St. Louis 



^. 



■4^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 219 



Chamber of Commerce, the former returning a warm response, while 
the latter made no acknowledgment. February 21, 1870, the road 
was consolidated with the Hannibal & St. Joseph, and soon afterward 
became the main line of that road. Early in 1807 Leavenworth at- 
tempted to secure legislation in Missouri that would make the termi- 
nus of both the Platte Country and North Missouri Railroads at that 
place, and to get through the Kansas Legislature an appropriation of 
1500,000 for the construction of a bridge there; but both these proj- 
ects were defeated. In March the Atchison & Weston, and Atchison & 
St. Joseph, and St. Joseph & Savannah Railroads were consolidated by 
an act of the Legislature of Missouri, under the name of the Platte 
Country Railroad, and the company controlling them was authorized 
to build a railroad from Kansas City, via St. Joseph, to the Iowa line, 
in the direction of Council Bluffs, and a branch from St. Joseph, via 
Savannah, to the Iowa line in the direction of Des Moines. In 
January, 1S68, it was learned that a company had procured a charter 
for a railroad from Louisiana, Mo., to Kansas City, and in March a 
committee arrived in Kansas City to ask the people to take an interest 
in it. In June the electors voted $200,000 in its aid. Late in the 
year the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company became interested in the 
project, and the roadway was soon built from Louisiana to Mexico, 
where it connected with the North Missouri Railroad, but, owing to 
difficulties about issuing bonds in some counties traversed by the line, 
the balance of the road was not built at that time. The Chicago & 
Alton Company built a bridge across the Mississippi at Louisiana, and 
operated from Kansas City to Chicago, over the track of the North 
Missouri, until 1878, when its own line was completed to Kansas 
City. 

In 1868 the Kansas Legislature granted a charter for a railroad 
from Kansas City to Santa Fe, and in March the company was organ- 
ized at Olathe, and June C the books were opened for subscription. 
When the Cherokee Neutral Grounds were obtained by treaty and or- 
dered sold for the benefit of the Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, James 
F. Joy became interested in the road and bought the land. Early in 
1808 the American Immigrant Company, of Connecticut, set up a 
claim to the lands under a previous sale made by Secretary Harlan, but 
the difficulty was soon harmonized by assignment of the company's 
claims to Mr. Joy, and the negotiation of a new treaty, which was ap- 
proved by the Senate in June, 1868. On the 15th of that month the 
city council of Kansas City, Mo., relinquished to Mr. Joy its interest 



220 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



in the road, and by December 12 it was finished to Ohvthe, and a year 
later to Fort Scott. The Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston 
Railroad had been finished to Ottawa, by January 1, 1868. In Novem- 
ber, 1868, the Neosha Valley Railroad Company put 175 miles of their 
line from Junction City under a contract. The North Missouri Rail- 
road progressed rapidly through 1868. and December 1 the last rail 
was laid at its junction with the Kansas City & Cameron Railroad, 
thus adding a fifth road to Kansas City. This road was soon merged 
in fact and in name with the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad. At 
the close of 1868 we find completed the Missouri Pacific, the Hanni- 
bal & St. Joseph and the North Missouri from the east; the Missouri 
River road to the west was completed to Leavenworth; the Missouri 
River, Fort Scott & Gulf road was in operation to Olathe, and 
the eastern division of the Union Pacific to Sheridan, 405 miles west 
of Kansas City, and but 220 miles from Denver. 

In March, 1869, the Paola & Fall River Railroad Company was 
organized. It had not a verj' stable existence for several years, and 
graded part of the road between Paola and Garnett. This line was 
built from Paola to Le Roy, in 1880, as a branch of the Missouri Pa- 
cific, and the Holden & Paola branch of that road extended from Pa 
ola to Ottawa. The Missouri Valley Railroad was completed Febriiiuy 
27, and opened March 1, making Kansas City's seventh railroad. In 
March, 1861). the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company took an interest 
in the Pleasant Hill & Lawrence Railroad, and in June it was under 
contract. In the first- named month the city council of Kansas City, 
Mo., submitted to the people an ordinance to aid the Kansas City & 
Santa Fe Railroad, to the extent of $100,000, to be expended between 
Kansas City and Ottawa, but it was voted down because it was erro- 
neously understood that Mr. Joy was interested in the scheme and 
would build the road without such aid. In April contracts were let 
for building the Leavenworth & Atchison, and the Atchison & Nebras- 
ka Railroad. On the 6th the masonry of the Kansas City bridge was 
completed. The superstructure was speedily built and the bridge was 
opened with great rejoicing, July 3. This was the first bridge span- 
ning the Missouri River, and its successful construction was deemed a 
wonderful engineering feat. In May a project for the Missouri, Kan- 
sas & Albuquerque Railroad began to assume form. When built from 
Holden to Ottawa, it was operated by the Missouri Pacific. May 31, 
the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gnlf Railroad was completed to 
Paola. In June, Mr. Joy identified himself with the Leavenworth. 



^l 



Lawrence & Galveston Railroad, and the company was reorganized 
and the construction of the road hastened. The Missouri Pacific Rail- 
road, originally a "broad gauge" road, was changed to "standard 
gauge" on July 18. August 7 the Kansas City, Mo., council again 
submitted a proposition to the people to vote $100,000 to the 
Kansas City & Santa Fe Railroad, $75,000 of which was to be expended 
between Olathe and Ottawa, and $25,000 in building a switch in the 
southern part of the city. The vote was favorable, and the line was 
surveyed in October. -Early in 186'J the building of a railroad to 
Memphis, Tenn. , was discussed, and a convention was held at Spring- 
field, Mo. , August 20, looking to this end, and a temporary organiza- 
tion was effected. October 19 a meeting was held at Kansas City, at 
which all interested localities were represented, and an organization 
was effected under the charter of the Kansas City, Galveston & Lake 
Superior Railroad (under which the Kansas City & Cameron Rail- 
road was built), procured in 1857. In September, 1869, several com- 
panies in Missouri and Iowa were consolidated, under the name of the 
Chicago & Soiithwestern Railroad Company, with a view to building a 
railroad from Davenport, Iowa, lo the Missouri River, which has since 
been constructed by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Com- 
pany, with a branch terminating at Atchison and another at Leav- 
enworth, and connecting with Kansas City via the Hannibal & St. 
Joseph Railroad from Cameron. 

In December the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad was sur- 
veyed from Atchison to Topeka; the Neosho Valley Railroad, later part 
of the Missoixri, Kansas & Texas, was finished between Junction City 
and Emporia; and the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad 
reached Fort Scott, beyond which point its progress was retarded, and 
its workmen were driven off' by a league of the settlers on the Cherokee 
Neutral Lands opposed to its construction. The name of the eastern 
division of the Union Pacific, as the Pacific road from Kansas City had 
been known, was changed in March, 1869, to the " Kansas Pacific. " 
Its bond subsidy was applicable only as far as Sheridan, Kas., and 
work ceased for many a year after the line had been constructed to 
that place; but late in the year construction was resumed, and the line 
was graded to Denver. At that date Kansas City had seven railroads 
in operation, three of them being unfinished, but progressing rapidly. 
These were the Missouri Pacific, the North Missouri, the Platte County 
and the Missouri River, completed; and the Kansas City, Fort Scott 
& Gulf, completed to Fort Scott; the Leavenvporth, Lawrence & Gal- 



V 



^t 




veston, nearly to Garnett, and the Kansas Pacific to Sheridan. The 
Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad was completed to Baxter 
Springs, and opened for business in May, 1870. The Kansas City & 
Santa Fe Railroad was finished between Olathe and Ottawa, and put 
in operation August 22, as a portion of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & 
Galveston Railroad, which reached Thayer, Kas. , by the close of 
the year, and was completed and opened to Coffeyville, September 4, 
1871. The Denver Pacific, from Denver to Cheyenne, had already 
been com])leted, and the completion of the Kansas Pacific to Denver, 
August 15, effected a connection with the Union Pacific. 

The charters for the Kansas & Neosho Valley Railroad, later known 
as the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, and the southern 
branch of the Union Pacific Railroad, to extend from Fort Riley, 
Kas., southeasterly through the Indian Territory to Fort Smith, 
Ark., w'ere almost co-existent. The latter charter was procured 
by prominent southern gentlemen, at a time when the Leavenworth, 
Lawrence & Fort Gilison Railroad was in progress from Lawrence 
southward. This latter road, as previously stated, was projected by 
Senator Lane, of Kansas, to run through the Indian Territory, to con- 
nect with the Texas Southern for Galveston. Hence the charter for 
the Fort Scott road was so amended upon its passage, at the instance 
of southern gentlemen and Senator Lane, as to provide that, if either 
of these latter roads should be constructed to the boundary of the 
Indian Territory before the completion of the Fort Scott road to the 
same line, it should have the sole right of way through the Territory 
secured by treaty, and by its charter granted to the Fort Scott road. 
The Fort Scott road reached the boundary a month in advance of the 
Neosho Valley line, which was constructed on the charter of the south- 
ern branch of the Pacific, and afterward became known as the Missouri, 
Kansas & Texas Railroad. Notwithstanding the priority of comple- 
tion to the specified boundary, the Neosho Valley Company raised 
the que.stion of the claim of the Fort Scott Company to the right of 
way, upon the ground that the charter provided that the State line 
should Vie crossed within the valley of the Neosho River, holding that 
the terminus of the Fort Scott Railroad at Baxter Springs was not in 
that valley, but, although the map of the route had been approved 
by the Secretary of the Interior, when the question was presented to 
that official, he now decided it adversely to the interests of the Kansas 
City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad. 

The Kansas City & Memphis Railroad was agitated in 1870. A 



^ 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 228 



survey of the line was begun in February, and such an interest- was 
excited that the counties it traversed voted to aid it, and its pros- 
pects seemed bright until early iTi the summer, when another enter- 
prise assumed form, the Clinton, Kansas City & Memphis branch 
of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company, proposing to construct a 
line from Kansas City to Memphis, by way of Clinton. Mo., instead 
of through Springfield. The charter of the Tebo & Neosho Road was 
an old one granted by the Missouri Legislature, under which the Kan- 
sas Land & Trust Company had already built a road from Sedalia 
through Fort Scott to Parsons, where it formed a junction with the 
Neosho Valley Railroad from Junction City. This latter road, as the 
reader has been advised, was built under a charter for the southern 
branch of the Union Pacifie Railroad, from Fort Riley to Fort Smith, 
by the builders of the road from Sedalia to Parsons. When these two 
lines were united under one management they became known as the 
Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. The Clinton, Kansas City and 
Memphis branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad was a branch of this 
line built under the general law of the State of Missouri authorizing 
the construction of branches of railroads already in existence. 
From the time of its inception both companies were canvassing for 
county aid, and some counties voted aid to one, some to the othei'. 
This conflict was waged through the early half of 1871. In March 
the Jackson County, Mo., subscription was transferred from the 
Springfield to the Clinton road. This act caused bitter agitation and 
resulted in litigation. In June, conflicting interests were harmonized 
by a compromise, under which one line was to be built as far as Har- 
risonville, and two from that point, one by way of Springfield, and 
one by way of Clinton. Work was begun at the Kansas City end 
July 15. In the following winter the company called on the authori- 
ties of Jackson County for money, and a dispute which arose about 
the amount of work done culminated in litigation and a cessation of 
work until 1873. when all difHcultios were adjusted, the company se- 
curing the Jackson County bonds and disbursing the proceeds for 
grading, finishing the road bed for nearly a hundred miles southward 
from Kansas City. But the panic of 1873 precipitated a new trouble. 
The company, unable to negotiate its bonds for the purchase of iron 
and rolling stock, was finally driven into bankruptcy, and the road 
was sold December 1, 1876, for|l,100. Meantime, in May, 1870, the 
Platte County Railroad, from Kansas City to the Iowa line, and the 
Council BUitt's & St. Joseph Railroad, from the Iowa line to Council 



T'. 






IL^ 




Bluffs, were cousolidated, having passed into the control of the Bos- 
ton interests represented by Mr. Joy, and took the name of the Kansas 
City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad. 

In June, this year, a company was organized to build a road from 
Kansas City via Plattsburg northward, but no other measures toward 
the construction of the road were ever taken. The Atchison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe Railroad, which had been begun in 1868 at Atchison, was 
put into operation to Emporia. The railroad up the west side of the 
river to Troy, and the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad between 
Sedalia and Parsons, were finished. Kansas City had eight railroads 
with the beginning of 1871. In September of this year the Chicago 
& Southwestern Railroad was completed to Beverly, on the Kansas 
City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad. It passed into the pro- 
prietorship of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, 
and ran its trains into Kansas City over the line of Kansas City, St. 
Joseph & Council Bluff's Railroad until January, 1880, when, under a 
contract with the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company, it began 
to use the tracks of that corporation from Cameron to Kansas City. 
In January, 1872, the name of the North Missouri Railroad was 
changed to Kansas City, St. Louis & Northern. When the Atchison, 
Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad had been extended so far into the Kan- 
sas Valley as to begin to show largely in the transportation of Texas 
cattle, it was found that about two-thirds of its business originated at 
and was destined for Kansas City, and the company saw the desira- 
bility of securing a line of its own to this important point, and in the 
spring of 1872 a company was organized in Topeka to build the 
Topeka & Lawrence road to Lawrence, and a company was formed in 
Kansas City to construct a line between Kansas City and Lawrence. 
The latter was known as the Kansas City, Lawrence & Topeka Rail- 
road Company. November 12 Kansas City voted 1100,000 in its aid. 

The Kansas City & Eastern Railroad was inaugurated in the sum- 
mer of 1878, under the name of the Kansas City, "Wyandotte & North- 
western Railroad. The course originally chosen for this road was 
from Kansas City through Wyandotte, northwesterly to the Kansas 
and Nebraska State line. Failing to secure requisite aid along the 
line in Kansas, the company concluded to divert the course of the 
road down the Mis.souri Valley. Kaw Township, in which Kansas 
City, Mo., is located, had voted $150,000 to aid the line as originally 
projected, and in March, 1873, voted to transfer the Kaw Townshij) 
bonds to the new line. The contract for the construction of the first 



w 



l>iL 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 2*25 



section, between Kansas City and Independence, was let in October, 
1873, and work was begun in December, and finished in 1874; and in 
1875 the balance of the line to Lexington was put under contract, and 
completed early in 1876. This was a " narrow gauge ' ' local line, since 
changed to a "standard gauge" and operated by the Missouri Pacific 
Company — of great importance to Kansas City, in that it brings to its 
doors the product of the great coal mines at Lexington. In the early 
part of 1872 an effort was made to induce the railroads centering in 
Kansas City to build a union passenger depot, to replace the small 
wooden structure upon the site of the present Union Depot, which had 
been erected by the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company when 
their road first entered the city, and which but illy served the purpose 
to which it was devoted. As an encouragement to the railroad com- 
panies, a proposition to exempt such a depot from taxation for fifteen 
years was submitted to the voters of Kansas Cit}', Mo., at the spring 
election, but it was unfortunately defeated. The road between Ottawa 
and Emporia, and between Ottawa and Burlington, was projected' 
about this time, and it was built some time later. It became known 
as the Kansas City, Burlington & Santa Fe Railroad, operated in con- 
nection with the Kansas City, Lawrence & Southern Railroad. In 
1873 there was a futile attempt made to secure a union of interest 
between the Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern '■ narrow gauge " 
Railroad and that of the Keokuk & Kansas City Company, projected 
from Keokuk to Kansas City : and a road was strongly advocated from 
Kansas City northward toward Chariton, Iowa. 

The panic of this year resulted so disastrously to the railway inter- 
ests of Kansas City that little progress was made in railroad construc- 
tion for three or four years ensuing. One of the first companies to 
take advantage, on any considerable scale, of the revival of commerce, 
was the Chicago & Alton, which, it will be remembered, had extended 
its line to Mexico, Mo., on the old Louisiana charter, and for some 
years had been making its connection to Kansas City from that place 
over the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railroad. February 27, 
1877, the president and other oificials of that road visited Kansas City 
to confer with the people, relative to extending that line along the 
route originallj' proposed for the Louisiflna Road to Kansas City. 
At a series of public meetings, held during the spring and summer, 
the sentiments of the people along the route were ascertained, and in 
the fall a new company was organized for the purpose of building the 
road. This was known as the Chicago, St. Louis & Kansas City Rail- L 



■^ 






226 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



road Company. It was composed mainly of Chicago and Alton men. 
Aid was accorded by the counties along the line. The Memphis 
Railroad projects, in which Kansas City had been so greatly and so 
successfully interested, since 1S70, reappeared in 1877. April 12 the 
road was sold in bankruptcy to Kansas City men for 115,025; but jit 
tempts to raise funds to construct the line were unsuccessful. Other 
railroad enterprises were more fortunate, however, and the Atchison, 
Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad began the construction of branches from 
Emporia south, since extended via Howard, Kas., and from Florence 
to Eldorado, later extended to connect with the main line at Ellen 
wood, Kas. Early in the year a company, consisting of representa- 
tives of the different railway interests centering in Kansas City, was 
organized to build a union depot — a measure that had been for some 
years under discussion. July 10 the old wooden shed, which had 
long served for that purpose, was abandoned, and the point of inter 
change was moved to the State-line depot. The demolition of the old 
building followed speedily, and the erection of the present imposing 
structure was at once begun, and finished in January, 187(S, at a cost 
of 1225,000. Other additional railroad facilities were effected in 1S77 
l)y the extension of the Clay Center branch of the Kansas Pacific road 
to Clifton, the extension of the Central branch of the Union Pacific to 
Concordia, and the construction of the Joplin Railroad from Girard to 
the line of the Fort Scott. & Gulf Railroad. The Central branch of 
the Union Pacific made its eastern terminus at Atchison, bat met with 
such competition in the Republican Valley from the Clay Center 
branch of the Kansas Pacific that it was compelled to make rates to Kan- 
sas City over the Missouri Pacific from Atchison, and it thus became 
virtually a Kansas City road. About the close of the year it was pro- 
posed to extend the Joplia line to the Fort Smith & Little Rock Rail- 
road, in Arkansas, thus securing a through line to the Mississippi 
River, at Chico, by the latter road and the Little Rock, Mississippi 
River & Texas Railroad, then nearly completed between Little Rock 
and Pine Bluff. The great railroad strike of this year ( 1877) extended 
its influence to Kansas City, and on the afternoon of July 23 freight 
train men refused to work further without an advance of wages. At 
night meetings were held by the strikers, and in Kansas City, Mo., on 
the following day a mob of lawless men, chiefly idlers, paraded the 
streets and forbade laborers of nearly every kind to work longer. 
Tbese ominous proceedings aroused the people, and meetings were 
held quietly and measures adopted to protect property. A company 



^f^ 



_^. 



,u 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



.227 



of men was promptly raised and sworn in as special policp, and this 
timely provision bad the effect of crnshing the lawless spirit of the 
mob, who were taking advaatage of the railroad strike to inangnrate 
an order of anarchy and destruction, such as had recently prevailed in 
Pittsburgh, Penn. Many laborers in what is now Kansas City, Kas.. were 
involved in this movement. The trouble was mainly confined to the 
railroad men and their employes, who succeeded in amicably adjust- 
ing their differences, and freight business was resumed July 30. The 
strikers did not, apparently, seek a collision with the Government 
authorities, which would have resulted from their stopping the mails, 
and as passenger trains were mail trains, passenger trafSc was not 
interfered with. 

Arrangements for building the extension of the Chicago & Alton 
Eailroad were completed in January, 1878, except for the right of 
way through Kansas City, Mo., and this was secured August 8. The 
construction of the road was progre.ssing rapidly below, and Decem- 
ber i the work was begun here. Chief among railway extensions this 
year was that of the Chicago & Alton from Mexico, Mo. , to Kansas 
City, making another through line to Chicago and St. Louis. This 
road was nearly completed during the year, and was opened for busi- 
ness April 18, 1879, but did not begin running passenger trains until 
May 13. The next in immediate importance, if it was not the most im- 
portant for Kansas City, was the extension of the Atchinson, Topeka 
& Santa Fe Railroad, from Pueblo, Colo., to Clifton, N. M., with a 
view to further extension to a connection with the Southern Pacific of 
California, making a southern trans-continental route more valuable 
than the Union Pacific. This road also built a branch to Leadville, 
Colo., to afford railroad facilities to the rich San Juan country. The 
line of the Central branch of the Union Pacific was extended to Beloit, 
Kas., bringing to Kansas City the trade of the upper Republican and 
Solomon Valleys. The Kansas Pacific extended its Clay Center branch 
to Clyde, and built a branch from Solomon City to Minneapolis, with 
the same general effect as the extension of the Central branch. The 
Kansas City, Burlington & Santa Fe Railroad was further extended 
from "Williamsburg to Burlington, bringing to Kansas City an impor- 
tant addition to her trade from the southwestern part of Central Kan- 
sas. The pool that had existed since September, 1876, was dissolved 
March, 1878, and then followed the first severe railroad war in which 
Kansas City lines were involved. This fight was apparently sought by 
the St. Louis lines as against those leading to Chicago, and was in- 



J. 






228 HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



augurated April 1, by the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railroad, 
with a cut of rates to about one-third, and raged furiously for a short 
time, when the pool was reorganized. 

This year Jay Gould's interest in lines leading to Kansas City was 
acquired in this manner: He was a chief owner in the Union Pacific. 
By its charter, that road was required to pro-rate on equal terms with 
the Kansas Pacific for California business, but it had always refused 
to do so. Mr. T. F. Oakes, general superintendent of the Kansas 
Pacific, was now able to afFord his company efficient aid in its long 
struggle with the Union Pacific for its charter rights. Early in the 
year he induced Mr. ChafFee, of Colorado, to introduce into Congress 
a bill to compel the Union Pacific to respect the rights of the Kansas 
Pacific, and a largely attended public meeting held in Kansas City, 
February 8, indorsed it strongly and memorialized Cong'ress on the 
subject, and similar action taken at other places resulted in the favor- 
able reporting of the bijl in March, with a good prospect for its pas- 
sage. Gould could not successfully oppose the measure, and in April 
he sent agents to St. Louis, who bought a controlling interest in the 
Kansas Pacific, and thus withdrew the opposition of that company. 
In June the Kansas Pacific and Union Pacific Railroad Companies 
pooled oa Colorado business, but the through rates to California 
which the friends of the Kansas Pacific had sought were not granted. 

With the opening of 1879 the building and extension of railroads 
was revived. The Kansaa City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad built a 
branch from Baxter's Springs to Joplin. The Kansas City, Lawrence 
<& Southern extended its Independence branch to Greenwood, with a 
view to pushing it through to Arkansas City. The main line of the 
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe was extended from Clifton to Las 
Vegas, N. M. , its Cottonwood Valley branch to MePherson, its Eureka 
branch to Howard, and its Wichita branch to Wellington and Arkan- 
sas City. The Clay Center branch of the Kansas Pacific was extended 
to Concordia, and the Solomon Valley branch to Beloit, and a branch 
was built from Salina to MePherson. The Kansas Pacific Company 
also bought and put in operation the unused Lawrence & Carbon- 
dale road, and bought the Denver Pacific from Denver to Cheyenne, 
and the Colorado Central & Boulder Valley and Denver & Rio Grande 
Railroads. The Central branch of the Union Pacific, now part of the 
Missouri Pacific, extended its Concordia branch to Cawker City, and 
built a branch to Kinoni and Stockton. The Atchison & Nebraska 
road was extended from Lincoln to Columbus, and the St. Joseph & 



7"^=^^ 



Denver to m connection with the Union Pacific. Th(i ill-fated Kansas 
City & Memphis road was sold to Boston capitalists, who proposed 
to build about 100 miles during the succeeding year, and extend it 
afterward as occasion might require. The Burlington & Southeast- 
ern Eailroad. then running from Burlington. Iowa, to Laclede, Mo., 
projected an extension to Kansas City, and made four extensions with 
that view. The Kansas City & Northeastern Company surveyed a 
line from Kansas City to Chillicothe, Mo., with a view to early con- 
struction. The Missouri Pacitio Company extended its line between 
Holden and Paola to Ottawa, and built the old Fall Kiver Railroad 
from Paola to Leroy. The Lexington & Southern from Pleasant 
Hill, on the Missouri Pacific, to Nevada, on the Missouri, Kansas & 
Texas, had been projected. Jay Gould and his associates, who previ- 
ously controlled the Union and Kansas Pacific and St. Joseph & 
Denver Railroads west of the Missouri River, and the Wabash road 
east of the Mississippi, early in the year bought a controlling interest 
in the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern, and consolidated it with 
the AVabash, under the name of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific. 
The roads, except the Union Pacific, were now connected. To make 
connection with that the Pattonsburg branch of the St. Louis, Kansas 
Cit}' and Northern was extended to Omaha. Not long afterward Gould 
and his associates bought the Missouri Pacific and the Central branch 
of the Union Pacific, and consolidated them, making two divisions, 
connecting at Kansas City. They also secured an interest in the Han- 
nibal & St. Joseph Eailroad, during the year, and afterward bought 
the Missouri, Kansas & Texas. In June the Fort Scott Company 
bought the Springfield & Western Missouri Railroad and completed 
it, soon after, to a junction with the main line at Fort Scott. In No- 
vember, Gould bought the Kansas City & Eastern (narrow gauge) 
road, and in December it was leased to and became a division of the 
Missouri Pacific. In December the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
Railroad Company made a contract with the Hannibal & St. Joseph 
Railroad Company for ti-ackway rights over its line from Cameron, 
Mo., and January 1, 1880, it began to riin its trains to Kansas City. 
There was another freight-rate war in 1879, and much promiscuous 
cutting was done. The pooling ariangement had been dissolved in 
view of the early completion of the Chicago & Alton Railroad to 
Kansas City. The road was open for business April 18, but did not 
begin running passenger trains until May 13. The war was caused 
by this line's allotment of business to St. Louis, and was begun by 



230 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



roads concentrating in that city. During the summer the contracts 
between the Hannibal & St. Joseph and the Wabash Raih'oad Com- 
panies expired, by which the latter had used the track of the former 
from Arnold Station to the bridge. A spirited contest between the 
two companies ensued. The Wabash Company built a track of its 
own, and made a new bridge contract, but the end of the trouble was 
reached only after litigation. 

The railroad interests of Kansas City grew in 1880. The Lexing- 
ton & Southern Railroad, extending from Pleasant Hill, on the Mis- 
souri Pacific, to Nevada, on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas, was built. 
Soon it was consolidated with the Missouri Pacific, and trains Were run 
from Kansas City to Texas, by that route, over the Missouri, Kansas & 
Texas. The Manhattan, Alma & Burlingame road was built from 
Burlingame, on the Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, to Man- 
hattan, on the Union Pacific. A branch of the Fort Scott road was 
built from Prescott, Kas., to Rich Hill, Mo., to reach the coal fields 
of Bates County, Mo. A long needed switch was built from the main 
line of this road, near Turkey Creek, into the southern part of Kan- 
sas City, Mo. In July the Wabash Company completed a line into 
Chicago, which was the fourth through line between Kansas City and 
Chicago. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company ex- 
tended its main line westward, reaching El Paso, N. M. , early in J8S1, 
and in March it connected with the Southern Pacific, of California, 
forming a second line across the continent via Kansas City. The 
Fort Scott Railroad Company built part of the line between Fort Scott 
and Springfield, with a view to extending it to Memphis. There were 
some other important extensions. In January, 1880, the Central 
branch of the Union Pacific, west from Atchison, became a division of 
the Missouri Pacific, and in March was consolidated with the Union 
Pacific. A little later the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council BlufPs 
road was sold to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com- 
pany, and the Kansas City, Lawrence & Southern Railroad to the 
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company. In May the Mis- 
souri, Kansas & Texas Railroad was leased for ninety-nine years by 
the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company. In February the general 
offices of the Union Pacific Railroad Company were consolidated and 
located at Omaha, and in May the long fought-for through rates to 
the Pacific by this line were granted to Kansas City. 

The old Memphis road, which had been bought in Kansas City, was 
sold, December, 1879, to Messrs. Lyman and Cross, of the Missouri, ' 



"JF 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 231 



Kansas & Texas Railroad, but they failed to execute the contract. 
In January, 1880, it was again contracted to J. I. Brooks and others, 
by whom it was reorganized, in June, as the Kansas City & Southern. 
Some surveys were made, but little further was accomplished till early 
in 1881, when the company was reorganized with additional capital, 
and measures were taken looking to the early construction of the line. 
In January, 1880, the Wyandotte, Oskaloosa & Western (• narrow 
gauge") Railroad Company was organized in Wyandotte, but it took 
no active measures. The Union Transit Company was organized in 
Kansas City in March. Its object was to take charge of switching for 
the various roads centering here. Land was purchased for yards west 
of the Kaw. In April the Des Moines & Kansas City Railroad Com- 
pany was organized at Des Moines, Iowa, to build a line between the 
two cities, and surveys were soon after begun. The Kansas City Rail- 
road Company was organized in Kansas City in December, with T. B. 
Bullene as president, to build a railroad from Kansas City to Salina, 
Kas. , through Baldwin City, Osage City and Council Grove, and about 
the same time the Kansas City, Nebraska & Northwestern Railroad 
Company was organized in Kansas City, with a view to the construc- 
tion of a line from Kansas City to Falls City, Neb. , by way of Oska- 
loosa and Valley Falls, Kas. In July the new Wabash line was opened 
into Chicago, and on October 16 the railway war was resumed and con- 
tinued with violence for a few days. Then, after a cessation of hos- 
tilities for a few weeks, the conflict became more spirited than ever. 
The roads to St. Louis were quickly involved, and later those east of 
Chicago and St. Louis. 

The Memphis branch of the Kansas City & Fort Scott Railroad, 
which, at the opening of 1881, was completed nearly to Springfield, 
Mo., was finished to that point during the year, opening up to Kansas 
City a larger trade field in Southwest Missouri than it had hitherto had 
access to. Another road of not less importance was the Lexington & 
Southern, completed during 1880, between Pleasant Hill and Nevada, 
and extended during 1881 to Carthage, Mo. This road was operated 
from the first as a branch of the Missouri Pacific, and early in the 
year trains were put on between Kansas City and Galveston. This 
also enhanced Kansas City's Missouri trade, and opened to her a 
larger field in Texas. Another road of considerable benefit to her 
trade in Southern Kansas was the St. Louis, Fort Scott & Wichita, 
constructed during the year from Fort Scott westward to Yates Cen- 
ter. It was operated in connection with the Missouri Pacific from 



► V 




^1 



Fort Scott, and tbe trade along tbe line reached Kansas City by way 
of the Lexington & Southern. Another railway change in the same 
locality that contributed to the advaatage of Kansas City was the pur- 
chase of the Missouri, Kansas & Colorado Railroad, from Messer to 
Cherryvale, by the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad Company. 
This road had been formerly operated in connection with the St. Louis 
& San Francisco, as a St. Louis road and a St. Louis feeder. After 
this date that part of the line between Weir and Messer was taken up, 
and the balance was operated by the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf 
Company as a Kansas City feeder. Besides these more important new 
roads and railway changes, there were other changes of minor impor- 
tance, which at once or later did their part toward the enhancement of 
Kansas City's commercial interests. 

There were several important extensions and clianges in the rail- 
ways converging at Kansas City in 1882. The Missouri Pacilie was 
extended to Omaha, penetrating and making accessible to Kansas City 
the eastern and richest portion of the State of Nebraska. The Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Company completed a line from Wymore, 
on its Atchison & Nebraska road, in Nebraska, to Denver, Colo. , and 
put on through trains from Kansas City to Denver, by way of this 
line, and the Atchison & Nebraska and Kansas City, St. Joseph & 
Council Bluffs lines. This afforded Kansas City not only a new and 
competing line to Colorado, but also secured it access to the whole of 
Southern Nebraska, which was intersected by the lines of the com- 
pany. The trade territory added by these changes was the best half 
of Nebraska. To the south of Kansas City the Missouri Pacific was 
extended to Carthage, Mo., and the St. Louis & San Francisco to Fort 
Smith, Ark. The former of these changes secured to Kansas City the 
trade of Carthage and what remained unsecured of the southwestern 
lead-mining country. The latter, by the connection secured with the 
Fort Scott road, afforded -access to all Northwestern Arkansas, and, by 
connecting with the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad, gave a great 
line through the center of Arkansas to Arkansas City, on the Mis- 
sissippi River, only 400 miles above New Orleans — a line suscep- 
tible of develojament into a most inlportant southern outlet. In 
the same direction the Fort Scott branch to Memphis, Tenn., was 
pushed steadily during the year, reaching Greenfield, Mo. The Fort 
Scott & Gulf Company having secured, during 1881. the " narrow 
gauge" road from Cherokee to Cherryvale, Kas., this year changed 
it to a "standard gauge," greatly enhancing its value to Kansas City. 



'.l>£ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 233 



It also built a branch from Joplin to Webb City, thus reaching a large 
trade. The Missouri Pacific, and its co operating lines in Texas, made 
a number of important extensions, giving Kansas City access to new 
trade. There were several similar changes and extensions, all bene- 
ficial to Kansas City. The only changes that occurred to the east- 
ward of Kansas City accomplished the transfer of the Hannibal & St. 
Joseph road to the Wabash system, which led to the termination of 
the contract between that road and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, 
by which the two were made to constitute a Kansas City and Chicago 
line. Incidentally, one of these roads proposed to extend its lines to 
Chicago and the other to Kansas City. 

During 18S3 there was but one notable addition to Kansas City's 
railway facilities, and that was one of the most important that could 
have been made. The completion of the Kansas City, Springfield & 
Memphis Railroad opened to the trade of Kansas City a rich region 
in Southwestern Missouri and Southeastern Arkansas, and at Memphis 
connected it with the lines traversing a vast area of the South, east of 
the Mississippi River, which had heretofore been iaaccessible to it. The 
prospects for future additions to Kansas City's railroad system were 
very flattering. There were no less than four roads trying to reach 
Kansas City from the direction of Chicago, all of which bade fair to 
be completed within a year or two. Another was projected from St. 
Louis, with fair prospects, and the old original Kansas City & 
Memphis enterprise, after much delay and many changes, now gave 
promise of speedy completion, thus giving hope for two lines where 
only one had been so long and so ardently struggled for. Three more 
roads from the cattle country of the southwest were projected, and it 
was believed they would be built within a few years. It was demon- 
strated during 1884 that the Kansas City, Springfield & Memphis 
Railroad was fully to meet all expectations. In this year and the fol- 
lowing, railroad construction went forward, some new lines being pro- 
jected and begun in the country tributary to Kansas City, and exten- 
sions were made to others already in operation. With the revival of 
business came the revival of railroad building, and the country tribu- 
tary to Kansas City attracted a large investment of capital in this de- 
partment of enterprise. During 1886, 1,000 miles of new road were 
constructed in the State of Kansas alone, all of which opened new 
trade territory to Kansas City. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 
Company having purchased the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe, of Texas, 
built a line across the Indian Territory connecting it with the Kansas 



'i'U' ■ «^ 



^f^ 



234 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



s_ystem, and opened a new line through Central Texas to Galveston. 
This company also began the construction of a new and independent 
line from Kansas City to Chicago, which was opened early in the sum- 
mer of 1888, besides building a large mileage of new branches in 
Kansas, where it already had a largo mileage, among which is the Kan- 
sas City & Southwestern, better known as the Paola branch, from Kan- 
sas City to Paola, Kas. , where it connects with the entire southwestern 
system of that company. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Com- 
pany constructed a line to Kansas City, which was opened late in 1887, 
crossing the Missouri close by Kansas City, and the Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific Company, penetrating into Kansas, built a line south- 
west from Topeka to the extreme southwestern part of Kansas, and 
another to the northwest through Northwe.stern Kansas and Southern 
Nebraska, both of which were soon to be connected with Kansas City 
by a line from Topeka. The Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern 
Railroad Company organized and constructed a line to the northwest 
from Kansas City, which reached the Nebraska State line about the 
opening of 1888. Work was resumed on the Kansas City & Southern 
Railroad, penetrating into Central South Missouri, and the St. Louis, 
Kansas & Colorado Railroad and the Missouri Central line from St. 
Louis to Kansas City, were pvit under contract. The Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Kansas City Company determined to extend its line through 
to Kansas City, and the Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City Company 
projected and began the construction of a line from Des Moines to 
Kansas City. The Kansas City, Springfield & Memphis Company 
projected two extensions which promised to effect Kansas City, one 
from Willow Springs, Mo., to Cairo, 111., and the other from Memphis 
to Birmingham, Ala. , which, in connection with the Georgia lines, , 
promised to open a new line to the Atlantic at Savannah and Charleston. 
In the development of the railway systems which supply transporta- 
tion for Kansas City's commerce, the year 1887 was one of great 
results. The body of commerce was with the States of Missouri, Kan- 
sas, Arkansas, Texas, Colorado and Nebraska and the Territories of 
New Mexico and Indian Territory. In these the total railway con- 
struction during the year 1887, largely the latter half of that year, 
was 6,523. The Chicago, Kansas & California (the Atchison, Topeka 
& Santa Fe Chicago line), the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul (Kan- 
sas City line), and the Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City Railways 
were all completed and put into operation, making three additional 
lines between Kansas City and Chicago, and one additional line he- 



r 



tween Kansas City and St. Paul. The Kansas City & Southern was 
completed to this city and opened to Osceola, Mo., and the Memphis 
& Birmingham road, an extension of the Kansas City, Springfield & 
Memphis, was completed to a connection with the Georgia Central at 
Goodwater, making a through line from Kansas City to all south At- 
lantic ports. The Willow Springs branch of the Kansas City, Spring- 
lield & Memphis, and the Cape Girardeau & Southwestern were con- 
structed to a junction, opening a new line between Kansas City and 
the Mississippi River, at Cape Girardeau, and a connection with the 
railway system of Southern Illinois and Kentucky, which gave access 
to the trade of that section. The Lexington & BoonvilJe line of the Mis- 
souri Pacific was completed, which opened to Kansas City the rich 
country in Central Missouri, which had heretofore been almost inaccess- 
ible. The Missouri Central, the St. Louis, Kansas City & Colorado, 
the Kansas City & Sabine Pass, and the Kansas City & Pacific, were 
all under construction or contract, making a total of twenty-three 
lines in operation and four under construction. The total mileage 
embraced in the lines in operation was about 30,000 miles, and with 
connections and branches available for commerce in the States and 
Territories above mentioned, the aggregate was not less than 35,000. 
The Wyandotte County Bridge & Terminal Railway Company 
recently filed articles of incorjjoratiou with the secretary of State at 
Topeka. The object of the company is to construct, operate and main- 
tain a railway line. The estimated length of the road is nineteen miles. 
It will run through Johnson and Wyandotte Counties, from a point 
on the State line in Johnson County, and run northwesterly through 
Wyandotte County to the Missouri River, near Trinidad. The incor- 
porators are Charles Lovelace, .James D. Hiisted, W. H. Bridgens, 
O. B. Copeland, of Wyandotte County, Kas., and Fred W. Perkins, 
Charles A. Peabody and Lycurgus Railsback, of Jackson County, Mo. 
The capital stock of the company is $2,000,000. 

Kansas City, as a railroad center, is stronger today than at any 
time in her history. Not only this, but the tendency of other lines is 
in this direction. As the great western railway headquarters and 
gateway to the west and southwest, she has not simply maintained her 
position, but in gigantic strides she has forged far ahead of her posi- 
tion of a year ago. The recent completion of one line from the north- 
west has thrown at the very doors of this city a vast territory hitherto 
out of its commercial reach. No line was completed or projected within 
the year that did not have solid backing and excellent reasons for its 



-f^ 



^ 




1 



inceptioa. Immense territories have been thrown open by the pene- 
trating ribs of steel, and from them all added business relations have 
sprung. The quite recent completion of the Kansas City, Wyandotte 
& Northwestern Railway is an accomplishment that is looked upon 
proudly by all Kansas City people and all Central Nebraskans. By 
arrangements efFected by the now flourishing Missouri, Kansas & 
Texas, that road, with its 1,900 miles of line, opened offices in Kansas 
City, and at once began the enjoyment of a good business. The Mis- 
souri, Kansas & Texas opened up more extensive southern fields and 
brought about a much livelier competition, which of course redounds 
to the benefit of Kansas City. 

In the way of local improvements, the Rock Island has expended 
the sum of $1,250,000. This money paid for terminals here and at 
Armourdale, and covered the expense of a bridge across the Kaw, the 
building of a roundhouse for twenty- four locomotives and two enor- 
mous freight depots — one on the west, side of the Kaw, and one on Wy- 
oming Street. The company's elevator at Armourdale has a capacity 
of 120,000 bushels. The new machine shops of this company are 
constructed on modern plans, with every facility for handling any biis- 
iness that may occur in the next twenty-five years, thus anticipating 
the prospects for the reasonable growth of Kansas City. 

Construction on the Rock Island the past year was confined to the 
branch south fi-om Caldwell, Kas., penetrating the Indian Nation to 
Fort Sill. The cost of construction on this road west of the Missouri 
River has reached a total of §31.000,000. Business of that portion of 
the line shows an increase of 60 per cent over last year. The Rock 
Island does business throughout the summer resort region of Iowa, 
Minnesota and the Dakotas over the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & 
Northern, with which road it has direct connection. This includes 
the "Iowa route" very properly in Kansas City's territory, and to 
a large extent heightens the passenger facilities of the city. 

The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul's 5,700 miles of road, al- 
though it has been a part of Kansas City's mileage, is coming to be 
recognized as one of the great through lines to the North and East. By 
an improved freight service the Milwaukee gave the people of Kansas 
City remarkable time to Chicago, and a better passenger service is 
promised. 

Among the railroads that Kansas City can pretty nearly count on 
for her list of actual lines this year are the Missouri Central, Kansas 
City, Nevada & Fort Smith, and the Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas 

^ ^ 6 ^ ~^ 5) \ 



4^ 



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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 237 



City. Although the last named road has been doing business here 
over existing lines to St. Joseph, it has never had any track of its own 
to Kansas City. Many rumors of an extension have gone out, but at 
present there is a substantial story afloat to the effect that the road will 
come in over the Chicago, Kansas City & Texas, from Smithville, Mo. In 
order to do this the company will have to build a line to Smithville, a 
distance of about thirty miles, and buy the branch of twenty-two miles 
to thi^ city. This it will in all probability do within ten months, 
coming into Kansas City over the Winner bridge, now in course of con- 
struction. 

The Fort Smith road is rapidly approaching the construction stage. 
This road is to be constructed by Kansas City and Philadelphia 
capital, and the projectors mean to vigorously push it to an early com- 
pletion. The shops of the new line have already been located at Ne- 
vada Mo. , and Chief of Surveyors Bond, late of the ' Frisco svstem, is 
in the field with his men locating the route. 

The Missouri Central will reach Kansas City before winter, if the 
present indications hold good. This will give Kansas City another 
valuable St. Louis line. 

The vast Winner bridge enterprise is one of great importance to 
Kansas City's railroad interests. The bridge is well started now, a 
large force of hands being employed daily on the j^iers. A quantity 
of false work has been extended over the water, and there is every 
indication that the structure will be brought to completion within ten 
months, as promised. The bridge will be a high one. It will have 
fifty feet of clear space between the high water mark and the bridge 
floor, so that the largest steamer, light, can pass safely under it. 
This bridge is being built in connection with the Winner belt line, 
which is to skirt the city for several miles. It will also give an en- 
trance to the Chicago. Kansas City & Texas, by which, it is pro- 
posed, the Chicago, Kansas City & St. Paiil will become a thoroughly 
Kan-ias Cit}' road. 

The Second Street Belt Line is commercially a very valuable one, and 
in point of good construction is a model. The question of the extension 
of the Carlwndale line of the Northwestern to Wichita is one of quite as 
much importance as that of the recently completed Beatrice extension. 
It is highly probable that this extension will be made within the year. 
This will give Kansas City a much shorter line to Wichita and the 
Southern Kansas coal fields, besides affording her a much desired south- 
western outlet. 






ik£ 




The addition of 1,900 miles of railroad by the coming of the Mis- 
souri, Kansas & Texas, not to speak of the added mileage in the Rock 
Island extension southwest, and the Wyandotte & Northwestern north- 
west, makes 1889 a proud year in the railroad historj' of Kansas City. 
The Winner bridge enterprise makes the prospects for 1890 even more 
flattering. Over it the Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City will surely 
enter the city, giving a line as the crow flies to Chicago and the twin 
cities of Minnesota. Other roads have already made overtures to the 
projectors of the bridge enterprise, and it is probable that every 
northern line that is now heading southward will eventually seek an 
entrance to Kansas City, over the structure now progressing so rapidly. 

The tonnage of the roads whose rules permit them to give ovitsuch 
information is reported for the year as follows: Chicago Rock Island 
& Pacific, 1,511,453,524 pounds; Union Pacific, 1,269,346,740; Mem- 
phis route, 2,666,832,137; Santa Fe system, 2,665,854,840; Alton, 
1,141,057,031; Wyandotte & Northwestern, 423,920,577; Missouri, 
Kansas & Texas, from July 8, date of entrance to city, 121,396,000; 
Missouri Pacific, 2,750,603,690; increase over 2,536,179,807 pounds. 

All the great railroads of the West— the Burlington, Wabash, 
Missouri Pacific, Union Pacific, Fort Scott & Memphis, Santa Fe, 
Chicago & Alton, Rock Island, St. Paul, Kansas City & Northwestern, 
Missouri, Kansas & Texas, and Kansas City & Southern, run in here. 
The Missouri Pacific, Rock Island, Union Pacific, Kansas City, Wyan- 
dotte & Northwestern, and Santa Fe have immense machine shops (em- 
ploying some 3,500 hands) here. These roads have also large terminal 
facilities here, which they have, from time to time enlarged. They 
all connect with the belt line, running over from Kansas City, Mo., 
and along this line most of the factories at present are located. These 
freight facilities are, however, quite inadequate to meet the demands 
of the unparalleled -increase in manufacturing. The cry is, more 
freight-terminal facilities, less delay at Kansas City, Mo., in shiinting 
and handling freight. 

There are now seventeen bridges crossing the Kaw River between 
the two Kansas Cities, some of them railroad bridges, some for wagon 
roads, others for electric and cable cars, while others again are ex- 
clusively used for driving over hogs and cattle from the stock yards to 
the packing-houses. The greatest of all the railroad enterprises is 
yet, however, to come, in the shape of the Circular Railroad, which 
is to encircle Kansas City, Kas. This company has been organized with 
$1,000,000 capital, with some of the ablest men of two cities on its 

\As r- ^'s a) \ 




directoiy. The road is sixteen miles long, and follows the edge of 
the Missouri and Kansas Rivers three-fourths of its length; for the 
other fourth it crosses country north and south, about three miles dis- 
tant fi'om the mouth of the Kaw, its easternmost point. The road is 
double track, standard gauge; it will give special attention to sidings 
for factories; it touches all the eight packing-houses; it opens up the 
North Missouri River bottoms for manufacturing. Across the Mis- 
souri River, on the north, it makes direct connection with all the 
railroads from the northwest and northeast, and, on the south, cross- 
ing the Kansas River at Argentine, it will connect with all the roads 
coming fi-om the southeast and southwest. It will also run passenger 
trains every half hour, passing through nine additions of the city. 
It will convey fuel and building material to the doors of the factories 
located along its line, cheaper than is at present dreamed of. 

Closely connected with this are the reclamation projects, which 
have behind them men of big brain and unlimited means and influence. 
The Van Aiken, or Union Depot scheme, is to span the Missouri 
River with a four-track steel bridge, from a point on the Kansas City, 
Kas. , levee to the Missouri side in Clay County. The company has 
obtained the right to a large portion of the river front, where it will 
reclaim the now half-submerged land by a series of dykes. Another 
company working conjointly with the above will build an immense 
bridge over the mouth of the Kaw, and reclaim some 160 acres of now 
waste land from the two rivers. These two projects, when f)roperly 
under way, will give Kansas City, Kas., the most magnificent freight 
terminal facilities and the finest passenger depot in the West. It will 
relieve much of the crush and crowding now to bo seen every day in 
Kansas City, Mo., both in handling freight and passenger traffic. All 
the large railroads are in favor of it, and are ready to cross both 
bridges whenever built. If brains and money will do it, the gentle- 
men at the back of these schemes will accomplish it in short order, if 
not hampered by legal and political delay. Any one who has looked 
at the marvelous growth of Kansas City, Mo., will see when these proj- 
ects are completed, her counterpart un the Kansas side of the line. 

A Kansas City paper refers thus to the Winner bridge project: ■' The 
Winner bridge was also started in 1889, and next fall will witness its 
completion. The enterprise is a great one in itself, and with others close- 
ly allied with it forms one of the greatest improvement schemes ever 
begun in Kansas City. The bridge will cost $1,203,000 and will be the 
finest on the Missouri River. It will l)e for wagons and foot passen- 






240 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



gers as well as railways, and its comjaletion will ojive to the city several 
roads now barred by a lack of proper terminals. Mr. Winner gives 
assurance that from the very start six roads will enter the city over the 
new strncture, four of which are entirely new roads. By this is not 
meant that they are new or baby roads. They are full-fledged rail- 
ways, doing a great business and which must add materially to the 
prosperity of Kansas City. In connection with the bridge is planned 
and under construction the Winner Belt Line, completely circling the 
city, with a bridge at Quindaro, making the bridge an inlet from any 
direction and an outlet from any. A land company, the third of the 
allied interest, has bought 1 1,000 acres of land in Clay County, 
through which has already been built a railway costing $450,000. 
These gigantic enterprises combined have never been equaled in the 
history of the city. The capital invested, aggregating over 14,000,000, 
is niostly from the East and shows that there Kansas City's standing 
is higher than ever." 

The next few years will doul)tloss see all these lines completed, 
unless some great national calamity intervenes to stop their construc- 
tion, and when done they will make Kansas City the greatest railway 
center of the West. All these remarkable railway developments mark 
an epoch of special importance in the local history, and results are 
shown in the opening up of new territory to agricultui'e, the building 
of new towns and the establishing of new indu^tries, making Kansas 
VAty the headquarters for their supplies and the commercial center of 
the Southwest. 

There are in Wyandotte County twenty-three post-offices, named as 
follows: Argentine, Arraourdale, Bonner Springs, Connor's Station, 
Edwardsville, Horanif, Kansas Cit}-, Loring, Menager, Muncie, 
Piper, Pomeroy, Quindaro, Rosedale, Summunduwot, Turner, White 
Church, Bethel, Grinter, Maywood, Quivera, Wallula and Emmet. 
The county has ten banks, all, except the first-mentioned, located 
in Kansas City: The Argentine Bank, The Armourdale Bank, 
The Fidelity Savings Bank, The First National Bank, The Kansas 
City Stock Yards Bank, The bank of the Northrnp Banking Company, 
The Provident Savings Bank, The Savings Bank of Kansas, The 
Western Banking Company, and the Wyandotte National Bunk, repre- 
senting an immense combined capital. 

The tirst term of court in Wyandotte County was held in Constitu- 
tion Hall on State Avenue, between Third and Fourth Streets, June 
6, ISuO, Joseph Williams, associate justice, presiding. The court- 



\i< IS r- -^ efv 

t 



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WVANDOTTE COUNTY. 241 



room was on the second floor, the eastern portion being partitioneti off 
for the probate court, and the western part for the district coui't. 
After leaving Constitution Hall the county officers moved into Byron 
Judd's building on Minnesota Avenue. Other offices (among them 
Dunning' s Hall and the Kyus Hotel building) were occupied from 
time to time, until the erection of the present court house on the 
northwest corner of Minnesota Avenue and Seventh Street, in 1882 
and 1883. The site was purchased from H. M. Northrup for §(5,000, 
and the building, a fine and sightly brick structure, cost about S40,- 
000. The ^Vyandotte County offices are among the most commodious 
and convenient in the State, and Wyandotte County officers are proverb- 
ially helpful and accommodating. The county has, during most of 
its history, been singularly free from official scandal. It is worthy of 
remark that, with few exceptions, the men in control of Wyandotte 
County's affairs are among the youngest county officers in Kansas. 

Some references to early acts of the county board relative to county 
offices and to the detention of prisoners will be found in Chapter XII. 
In April, I860, William McKay was elected chairman of the board, 
which consisted of himself, J. E. Bennett and S. E. Forsythe. After 
talking "jail " for a number of months, in July, 1860, the plan for a 
jail was adopted, the building to be twenty feet square, two stories, 
the first story to be divided into live cells, and the upper story into 
three rooms, approached by an outside stairway, the structure to be 
Iwilt of planks laid and spiked together. J. L. Hall was awarded the 
contract for $2,000. Meantime, claims were being allowed Luther H. 
Wood for subsisting and guarding persons. This jail stood on Ne- 
braska Avenue, between Third and Fourth Streets. It was burned in 
1863. After this, prisoners were kept in the old court-house, chained 
between chairs and guarded by one Hosp, whose wife relieved him 
from time to time, standing over the prisoners with a club. In 1872 
the county rented a stone barn, on the corner of Armstrong and 
Fourth Streets, and converted ft into a jail. This was in use until 1880, 
when the county entered into contract with Drought & Kyus, for the 
erection of a new jail at the corner of State Avenue and Eighth 
Street. The iron work was furnished by the Leavenworth Iron Com- 
pany. It is a brick building, strongly constnicted and provided with 
modern iron cages, and cost about $12,000. The new jail, not yet 
occupied at this writing, is one of the most substantial improvements 
acquired during the past year. The building cost $30,000. It is a 
three-story structure, fronting forty-nine feet on Seventh and 122 on 



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242 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



State Street. It is constructed entirely of cut stone, brick and iron, 
and the generous use of hammered glass and a mansard roof lend 
beauty to the building. The basement, at present the only floor laid 
off in cells, is sufficient to confine one hundred prisoners. The total 
capacity of the jail when finished will be for 400 prisoners. The 
cells are constructed with a good quality of chrome steel grated cages. 
Each cell is 6Jx8 feet, holding four prisoners comfortably. The 
cages are in two rows, with no entrance toward the outside corridor; 
between the two rows of cells is a prisoner's corridor, at one end of 
which are two bath rooms and closets for the use of the imprisoned. 
By the arrangement of locks, in order to effect an escape it is neces- 
sary to break five locks. The entrance to the prisoner's corridor is by 
a rotary cage. Besides the steel cages are cells for women, and pad- 
ded cells for the insane. The sheriff's residence, hospital and jailer's 
apartments are well furnished and equipped. An underground pas- 
sage goes fi-om the jail to the court-house. Two boilers in the base- 
ment heat the building and also the court-house. 

The county poor farm is situated about twelve miles west of Old 
Wyandotte. It consists of a large tract of well cultivated land. The 
present buildings were erected in 1889 at a cost of .§25,000. They 
contain every convenience, and the institution ranks as one of the 
finest in the State. 

The Wyandotte Fair Association organized, secured and fitted up 
grounds in the northwestern part of the present city, near the present 
lines of the Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern Railroad and the 
Inter-State Elevated Kailroad. and held successful fairs in 1886-89. 
The principal promoters of this enterprise were D. M. Ward, AV. J. 
Buchan, George W. Greener and J. S. Stockton. There were earlier 
attempts to establish fairs, some of which were measurably successful, 
but not permanent. The first agricultural fair was held at a compar- 
atively early date, on "the Levee." A feature was a memorable 
horseback race between the Misses Sire Mudeater and Kate Armstrong, 
two native Indian girls of good families. About eighteen years ago 
an association was formed and a race track was made in the northeast 
part of the city. Only one fair was held. The Wyandotte County 
Industrial Society was in existence some years and won numerous 
valuable prizes at the Kansas State Fairs and the Kansas City (Mo.) 
Expositions. 

Following is a copy of the articles of incorporation of the recently 
organized Wyandotte Fair Association of Kansas City, Kas. : ' ' First, 






the name of this corporation shall be the Wyandotte Fair Association. 
Second, This corporation is organized for the pvirpose of promoting 
and encouraging agriculture and horticulture; the encouragement of 
the breeding of horses, cattle and other domestic animals: holding and 
maintaining annual or semi-annual fairs or as often as the board of 
directors may determine, for the purpose of making displays of agri- 
cultural and horticultural products, domestic animals and articles, the 
products of industrial manufacture, the acquiring by purchase or 
lease and occupying a tract or tracts of land for establishing and 
maintaining grounds to be used for said exhibits and fairs, and 
constructing and maintaining racing tracks in a condition suitable 
for the speeding of horses, in such manner as may be fixed by 
the by-laws of this corporation. Third, The principal ofi&ces of 
this corporation, and its chief place of business, shall be in Kan- 
sas City, Kas., but it is the aim to make the interest in the asso- 
ciation co-extensive with Wyandotte County. Fourth, This corpor- 
ation shall continue to exist for the term of twenty years. Fifth, 
The oncers of this corporation shall be a president, vice president, 
secretary and treasurer, whose term of office and manner of election 
shall be governed by the by-laws of this corporation. Sixth, This 
corporation shall be under the management of nine directors, who 
shall be elected annually by the stockholders, and the directors ap- 
pointed by these articles of incorporation for the lirst year shall elect 
out of their number the officers of this corporation for the first year. 
Seventh, The following residents of Wyandotte County, Kas., are 
appointed as the board of directors for the first year: George E. 
Bell, J. F. Ensminger, H. S. Swingley, Frank Mapes, W. H. Ryus, 
H. A. Yonge, N. Barnes, E. L. Barnes, W. L. Wood, H. J. Hughs." 
A certificate of incorporation was issued to Messrs. Bell, Ensminger, 
Yonge, Swingley, Hughs and E. L. Barnes, by the secretary of State, 
under date of June 6, 1S90. 

At a meeting of the board of directors of the Wyandotte Fair As- 
sociation. June 10, 1890, on motion of H. S. Swingley W. H. Ryus 
was elected temporary chairman and H. A. Yonge temporary secretary. 
The following action was taken: George E. Bell was elected presi- 
dent; H. S. Swingley, vice-president; J. P. Ensminger, secretary, and 
Frank Mapes, treasurer for the first year. N. Barnes, George E. 
Bell and H. A. Yonge were appointed a committee on by-laws, and 
George E. Bell, H. S. Swingley and H. A. Yonge were appointed to 
procure leases to suitable grounds for the use of the association. 



244 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



Large and convenient grounds have been secured near the Kansas 
City, Kas., terminus of the Fifth Street and Wyandotte cable line, ac- 
cessible alike to the people of both Kansas Cities, and preparations 
were at once begun to organize and hold during the fall of 1890 the 
first of a series of fairs and race-meetings, which will doubtless eclipse 
all former efforts of Wyandotte County people in the same line. Wy- 
andotte County has considerable fine stock, its agricultural and horti- 
cultural displays are always fine, and the goodly number of local 
coursers and the increasing general interest in racing, with the capital, 
energy and enterprise of the projectors of these fairs, ought to insure 
their brilliant success. 

The Missouri Valley Horticultural Society met at the home of 
Maj. Frank Holsinger, at Rosedale, July 19, 1890. Delegates were 
present from Denver, Lawrence, Topeka and Olathe. Among the 
prominent fruit-growers in attendance were Dr. I. D. Heath, L. A. 
Goodman (State secretary of the society) and J. S. Soule, of Topeka, 
(editor of the Kansas Farmer). After the usual business was disposed 
of the following interesting programme was carried out: " Education 
in Flowers," Amanda Evans; "Lawns and Shrubs," George E. Kess- 
ler; ''LookiOg Backward," Prof. A. J. White; "The Ideal Home," 
Mary R. Rose. The society is now in its twenty-third year and is rap- 
idly increasing in membership. The officers are: J. C. Evans, Har- 
lem, Mo., president; Edwin Taylor, Edwardsville, vice-president; 
George E. Rose, Rosedale, secretary; and G. F. Espenlaub, Rosedale, 
treasurer. 

No attempt to establish a permanent medical society in Wyandotte 
County has been crowned with success. The last to date was the or- 
ganization of the Wyandotte County Medical Society, about two years 
ago, which had an existence of about a year. Quite a number of lead- 
ing Kansas City physicians belong to the Eastern Kansas District Med- 
ical Society. 

The first Wyandotte County election was that of June, 1857, for 
a delegate to the Lecompton Constitutional Convention. The polls 
were protected by soldiers, and the votes were deposited in a candle- 
box, the same candle-box buried in a wood pile in Lecompton and 
afterward discovered and made infamous in history. In October, the 
county came into notice again, politically, by the stuffing of a ballot 
box, and other frauds jjerpetrated at the Delaware Crossing, eight 
miles west of Wyandotte. It is said that many of the names found 
on the poll list could also be found in a New York City directory. 



»iv 



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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



245 



which some enterprising citizen happened to have in his possession at 
the time. Properly, however, the political history of Wyandotte 
County begins with its formation by the Legislature, which convened 
in January, 1850. A copy of the act creating the county is given in 
a previous chapter. 

The first meeting of the commissioners, George Russell and George 
W. Yeale (Mr. Veale acting in place of Alfred Gray), was held at the 
Eldridge House, February 25, 1859. The proceedings of this and 
subsequent meetings are given in Chapter XII. The county was 
Democratic, politically, until 1809, when the memorable GlickCobb 
Legislative contest began, resulting in Cobb's being counted in by the 
House. Since that time the Republicans have generally triumphed, 
though many worthy Democrats have been chosen to fill offices of 
importance. 

The civil list of the county from its organization to the present 
year is as follows: 

First election. — Jacques W. Johnson, probate judge; M. A. Gar- 
rett, clerk; V. J. Lane, register of deeds; S. E. Forsythe, sheriff; 
W. L. McMath, county attorney; Robert Robitaille. treasurer; C. L. 
Gorton, surveyor; Dr. G. B. Wood, coroner; J. B. Welborn, superin- 
tendent of public schools. 

1859. — W. L. McMath, Representative; B. Gray, probate judce; 
V. J. Lane, register of deeds; M. B. Newman, county clerk; L. H. 
Wood, sheriff; S. M. Emerson, county attorney; D. C. Boggs, county 
surveyor; Robert Robitaille, treasurer; P. Julian, coroner. 

1860. — W. Y. Roberts, Representative; Barzillai Gray, probate 
judge; Vincent J. Lane, register of deeds; L. H. Wood, sheriff; S. 
M. Emerson, county attorney; D. C. Boggs, surveyor; M. B. New- 
man, county clerk; Robert Robitaille, treasurer; Peter Julian, coroner; 
William McKay, John W. Dwyer and Julius G. Fisk, commissioners; 
John B. Dexter, assessor. 

1861. — W. W. Dickinson and James McGrew, Representatives; L. 
H. Wood, sheriff; James A. Cruise, county clerk; Martin Stewart, 
assessor; John A. J. Chapman, surveyor; Charles Morasch, coroner; 
Francis Kessler, Richard Cook and Leonard Lake, commissioners. 

1862. — James McGrew, senator; Isaac B. Sharp, probate judge; 
James A. Cruise, clerk of district court; Stephen Perkins, county 
commissioner; James M. Chinault, assessor; Frederick Speck, super- 
intendent of schools. 

1863. — W. W. Bottum, Representative; Pembroke S. Ferguson, 



9 ^ 



^. 




sheriff; James A. Cruise, register of deeds; Byron Judd, treasurer; 
John A. J. Chapman, surveyor; Eli McKee, assessor; William B. 
Bowman, probate judge; Benjamin F. Mudge, superintendent public 
instraction; Stephen Perkins, Joseph Grindle and Francis Kessler, 
commissioners; Thomas P. Fenlon, district attorney. 

3864. — William Weer, Senator; Charles S. Glick, Representative; 
James A. Cruise, district clerk; Isaac B. Sharp, probate judge; Moses 
B. Newman, county attorney; Michael Hummer, superintendent pub- 
lic instruction; David Pierson, assessor; John A. J. Chapman, sur- 
veyor. 

1865. — Isaiah Walker, Representative; Pembroke S. Ferguson, 
sheriff; Charles H. N. Moore, coroner; Moses B. Newman, county 
clerk; John M. Funk, treasurer; James A. Cruise, register of deeds; 
David Pearson, assessor; Benjamin F. Mudge, superintendent of 
schools; William Cook, Martin Stewart and Francis Kessler, commis- 
sioners. 

1866. — Isaac B. Sharp, Senator; Thomas J. Barker. Representa- 
tive; Daniel Killen, Representative; William B. Bowman, probate judge; 
James A. Cruise, district clerk; Rynear Morgan, surveyor; Charles 
S. Glick, county attorney. 

1867. — Richard Hewitt, Representative; Vincent J. Lane, Repre- 
sentative; James A. Cruise, register of deeds; Jesse J. Keplinger, 
county clerk; Thomas W. Noland, coroner; Silas Armstrong, sheriff; 
Samuel Parsons, surveyor; William Cook, Patrick Reedy and Hiram 
Malott, county commissioners. 

1868. — Charles S. Glick, Senator; Henry W. Cook, Representative; 
Thomas Feeny, representative; Isaac B. Sharp, probate judge; John 
B. Scroggs, county attorney; James A. Cruise, clerk of the district 
court; Emmanuel F. Heisler, superintendent of public schools. 

1869. — Vincent J. Lane, Representative; John T. McKay, Repre- 
sentative; Joseph C. Welsh, treasurer; James A. Cruise, register of 
deeds; Edward Riter, sheriff; Patrick Kelly, county clerk; Samuel 
F. Bigham, surveyor; George B. Wood, Riley M. English and H. F. 
Reed, commissioners. 

1870. — George P. Nelson, Senator; Rufus E. Cable, Representa- 
tive; Isaac B. Sharp, probate judge; Joseph K. Hudson, Repre- 
sentative; Henry W. Cook, county attorney; Emmanuel F. Heisler, 
superintendent public instruction; James A. Cruise, clerk of district 
court; Harvey Hortsman, sheriff. 

1871. — Stephen A. Cobb, Representative; Hiram Malott, Repre- 



— Is 



,k 




sentative; Andrew B. Hovey, county clerk; Nicholas McAlpine, treas- 
urer; James A. Cruise, register of deeds; Edward S. Drought, sheriff; 
Robert A. Ella, county surveyor; Bryant Grafton, coroner; William 
P. Overton, commissioner to till vacancy; Robert P. Clark, Samuel 
Beatty and William Richart, commissioners for full term. 

1872. — Byron Judd, Senator; William J. Buchan, Representative; 
William S. Tough, representative; Henry L. Alden, county attorney; 
James A. Cruise, clerk of district court; William W. Dickinson, 
superintendent of public instruction. 

1873. — Richard B. Taylor, Representative; Sanford Haff, Repre- 
sentative; G. W. Betts, clerk of the district court to fill vacancy; 
Edward S. Drought, sheriff; David R. Churchill, probate judge to till 
vacancy; Alison Crockett, register of deeds; Andrew B. Hovey, county 
clerk; Nicholas lIcAlpine, treasurer; David W. McCable, coroner; 
Francis House, surveyor; Charles Hains. Samuel Beatty and Richard P. 
Clark, commissioners. 

187-4, — Byron Judd, Senator; Sanford Haff, Representative; Will- 
iam J. Buchan, Representative; George W. Betts, clerk of district 
court; Henry L. Alden, county attorney; David R. Churchill, pro- 
bate judge; William W. Dickinson, superintendent of public instruc- 
tion. 

1875. — Sanford Haff, Representative; Henry W. Conk, Representa- 
tive; Edward S. W. Drought, county treasurer; William H. Ryus, 
sheriff; Alison Crockett, register of deeds; David R. Emmons, county 
clerk; Samuel T. Bigham, surveyor; William G. Scott, coroner; 
Richard P. Clark, William Jacks and Theodore Schultz. commis- 
sioners. 

1876. — Hiram Stevens, district judge: Byron Judd, Senator; Sanford 
Haff and H. W. Cook, Representatives; D. R. Emmons, county clerk; 
D. R. Churchill, probate judge; G. W. Betts, district clerk; H. L. 
Alden, county attorney; N. McAlpine, treasurer; AV. H. Ryus, sheriff; 
Alison Crockett, register of deeds; Samuel F. Bigham, surveyor; 
Dr. W. G. Scott, coroner; W. W. Dickinson, superintendent public 
instruction; R. P. Clark, William Jacks and Theodore Schultz, com- 
missioners. 

1877. — William J. Buchan, Senator; H. L. Alden, Representative; 
L. E. James, representative; G. W. Greever, representative; D. R. 
Churchill, probate judge; J. S. Gibson, county attorney; G. W. 
Betts, clerk of district court; J. S. Clark, register of deeds; L. C. 
Ti'ickey. superintendent public instruction. 



248 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



1878.— E. S. W. Drought, treasurer; W. H. Eyus, sheriff; D. R. 
Emmons, clerk; J. S. Clark, register of deeds; Francis House, sur- 
veyor; L. T. Holland, coroner. 

1879. — W. J. Buchan, Senator; R. B. Armstrong, Representative; 
L. E. James, Representative; G. W. Greever, Representative; R. E. 
Cable, probate judge; G. W. Betts, clerk of district court; H. C. 
Whitlock, superintendent of schools; J. S. Gibson, county attorney; 
Perley Pike, county commissioner. 

1880.— T. B. Bowling, sheriff; William Albright, treasurer; D. 
R. Emmons, clerk; J. S. Clark, register of deeds; Walter Hale, 
surveyor; G. W. Nevill, coroner; James T. Johnson, county com- 
missioner. 

1881.— W. J. Buchan, Senator; E. S. W. Drought, Representa- 
tive; T. J. Barber, Representative; B. L. Stine, Representative; J. S. 
Gibson, county attorney; R. E. Cable, probate judge; George W. 
Betts, clerk of district court; D. B. Hiatt, superintendent public in- 
struction; J. W. Wahlenmaier, commissioner First District; D. R. 
Emmons, county clerk, William Bridgens, register of deeds; Walter 
Hale, siirveyor; T. C. Baird, coroner; T. B. Bowling, sheriff; William 
Albright, treasurer. 

1882. — H. C. Alden, county attorney; R. E. Cable, probate 
judge; L. C. Trickey, clerk of district court; C. J. Smith, superin- 
tendent public instruction; E. S. W. Drought, Representative Twelfth 
District; J. F. Timmons, Represertative Thirteenth District; D. S. 
Bentley, county commissioner Second District. 

1883. — James Ferguson, sheriff; Benjamin Schnierle, county 
treasurer; W. E. Connelly, county clerk; William H. Bridgens, reg- 
ister of deeds; J. H. Lasley, county surveyor; A. H. Vail, coroner; 
George W. Hovey, commissioner Third District. 

1884.— R. E. Cable, probate judge; L. E. Trickey, clerk of dis- 
trict court; H. C. Whitlock. county superintendent public instruction; 
James S. Gibson, county attorney; E. S. W. Drought, Representative 
Twelfth District; B. L. Stine, Representative Thirteenth District; 
Isaac La Grange, commissioner First District; Stephen Perkins, 
commissioner Second District. 

1885. — James Ferguson, sheriff; W. H. Bridgens, register of 
deeds; William E. Connelley, county clerk; Benjamin Schnierle, 
county treasurer; J. H. Lasley, county surveyor; George M. Gray, 
county coroner; A. A. Lovelace, commissioner for Second District. 

1886. — Porter Sherman, Representative Tenth District; J. F. Tim- 



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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



mons, Representative Eleventh District; R. P. Clark, probate judge; 
John Warren, clerk of district court; Nathan Cree, couaty attorney; 
F. M. Slosson, superintendent public instruction; Gr. U. S. Hovey, 
commissioner Third District. 

1887. — Martin Stewart, county treasurer; Frank Mapes, county 
clerk; A. A. Lovelace, register of deeds; J. H. Lasley, county sur- 
veyor; T. J. Bowling, sheriff; H. M. Downs, coroner; S. S. Sharpe, 
county commissioner First District. 

1888.— W. J. Buchan, State Senator; George Monahan, probate 
judge; E. W. Towner, clerk of district court; E. F. Taylor, county 
superintendent public instruction; G. L. Coates, Representative of 
Tenth District; W. H. Young, Represeutative Eleventh District; John 
Steffens, county commissioner Second District. 

1889. — M. W. Stewart, county treasurer; Charles E. Bruce, coun- 
ty clerk; T. B. Bowling, sheriff; A. A. Lovelace, register of deeds; 
S. F. Brigham, surveyor; Russell Hill, coroner; N. Gareelon, com- 
missioner Second District; R. H. Scott, commissioner Third District. 

In July, 1890, the couuty clerk completed the compiling of an 
abstract of the assessment rolls of Wyandotte County, showing the 
number of acres of taxable land and its assessed value, the number 
of lots and their aggregate value, together with the value of all per- 
sonal and railroad property. This abstract shows that the total value 
of all the property in the county, personal and real, is $12,860,555.2-4, 
which is an increase of $1,587,793.28 over the values of last year. 
This is the assessed value, which is about 20 per cent of the real 
value. Of the 85,269 acres of land in the county, 57,910 are under 
cultivation and 27,359 are not cultivated. There are 48,707 town 
lots in the county, of which 8,658 are improved and 40,049 are unim- 
proved. The following tables show all the salient features of the 
abstract : 






No. of Acres. 


Average Vahie 
per .\cre. 


Aggreftate Value of 
all Lauds. 


Kansas City, Kas.. . . 


2,5,59 

178 

i8!3.55 
15,003 
20,975 
12,963 
15,236 

85,269' 


$963 00 
904 27 

■■8'i2 
24 34 
8 6t 
36 70 
47 67 

S51 95 


$2,364,322 
767,801 


Argentine 


Rosedale • 


Prairie Township 


ub'.ibii 

365,261 
181.319 
475,815 
726,185 

$4,439,939 


Quindaro Township 


Delaware Township 


Shawnee Township 


Wyandotte Township 

Total 



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250 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Kansas City, Kas. . . ; . 

Argentine 

Rosedale 

Prairie Township 

Quindaro Township . 
Delaware Townsliip.. . 
Shawnee Township... . 
Wyandotte Township. 

Total 



Kansas City, Kas. 

Argentine 

Rosedale 

Prairie Township. 

Quindaro 

Delaware 

Shawnee 

Wj andotte 



Total . 




$13,860,555 34 



A little later in the same month a financial statement of Wyan- 
dotte County was prepared, which shows the bonded indebteness of 
the county to be $514,520.76, against $540,000 of last year, a de- 
crease of over $25,000. This amount does not include the indebted- 
ness of the cities, townships or school districts. The townships have 
little or no debt at all, and very few of the school districts have any 
indebtedness. Shawnee Township reports no debt and a balance of 
$4,500 in the treasury. The bonded indebtedness of Kansas City, 
as per the report of the city clerk, is $1,772,467.24. 

The following farm and crop statistics show the acreage, product 
and value of field crops in the county in 1888, there being no later 
statistics obtainable: Winter wheat, 4,337: product, 91,077 bushels; 
value, $70, 129. 29. Eye, 755 acres; product, 15,100 bushels; value, 
$6,795. Corn, 10,731 acres; product, 536,550 bushels; value, $193,- 
158. Oats, 5.609 acres; product, 185,097 bushels; value, $44,423.28. 
Irish potatoes, 5,375 acres; product, 752,500 bushels; value, $338,625. 
Sweet potatoes, 533 acres; pi-oduct, 53,300; value, $53,300. Sorghum, 
12 acres; value, $305. Castor beans, 1 acre; product, 12 bushels; 
value, $12. Tobacco, 1 acre; product, 600 pounds; value, $60. 
Broom corn, 6 acres; product, 3,600; value, $126. Millet and Hun- 
garian, 152 acres; product, 304 tons; value, $1,216. Timothy, clover. 



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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



251 



orchard grass, blue grass and other tame grasses, 10,805 acres; prod- 
uct, 4,3t>3 tons; value, 125.818. Prairie grass, under fence, 382 acres; 
product. 109 tons: value, §1.014. Total acreage. 37,839; value, 
i?734.98l.57. 

The number and value of live stock in the county at the time men- 
tioned is shown by these figures: Horses, 21,099, valued at $224,910; 
mules and asses. 699, valued at $69,700; milch cows, 2,417, valued at 
$48,340; other cattle. 3.009, valued at $60,180; sheep, 558, valued at 
$1,116; swine, 4.220, valued at $33,760. Total number of live stock 
of all kinds, 13,400. Total value, $438,006. 

Summary amount and value of farm products: Field crops, 37,839 
acres, valued at $734,981.57; animals slaughtered and sold for slaugh- 
ter brought $59,349: the value of increase in live stock was $36,402: 
wool clip. 400 pounds, valued at $72; butter, 100,777 pounds, valued 
at $20,155.40: cheese, 350 pounds, valued at $42; honey and bees- 
wax, 785 pounds, valued at $157: milk sold brought $39,500; horti- 
cultural products marketed brought $36,343; wine manufactured, 
4,838 gallons, valued at $4,838; garden products marketed brought 
$147,501: poultry and eggs sold brought $7,894; wood marketed 
brought $5,280. 

Following are the statistics of horticulture in the county: Number 
of trees bearing— Apple, 95,185; pear, 567; peach, 17,574; plum, 
1,771; cherry, 7,048. Number of trees not bearing— Apple, 29,391; 
pear, 228; peach, 4,098; plum, 1,601: cherry, 1.699. Total number 
trees bearing, 122,145; total number not bearing, 37,017. Small 
fruits -acres devoted to raspberries, 199; to blackberries. 51; to 
strawberries, 47; total, 297. Artificial forest— Acres of trees one 
year old and over: Walnut, 125; other varieties, 1,904; total, 2,029' 
Acres in nurseries, 309; in vineyards, 164. 

Wyandotte County is pre-eminently the leading manufacturing 
center of the West. The latest report of the State Labor Bureau 
shows that $12,073,000 of capital is employed in manufacturing in 
the county, while the value of the product for 1889 was $36,209,311. 
The value of the raw material used in manufacturing is placed at 
$32,209,458, while $2,554,817 was paid out for labor in forty-nine of 
the leading establishments. The manufactories of Wyandotte County 
embrace basket and box factories, brick clay works, brick yards, 
broom factories, cement works, clothing manufactories, cooper .shops, 
corrugated iron works, desiccating works, flour-mills, foundries, foun- 
dry and machine works, a gas machine factory, gas works, harness 






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ik. 



252 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



manufactories, haystacker and hayrake manufactories, iron bridge 
works, an oil-mill, packing houses, planing-mills, publishing and 
printing houses, a radiator manufactory, silver smelting works, soap 
factories, a soda water factory, terra cotta works, vinegar factories, 
wagon factories, water works and woodenware factories. In Kansas 
City, Kas. , there are seven great packing establishments, which enti- 
tle the county to the claim of being the second packing center of the 
world. At Argentine, which joins Kansas City on the south, and 
which is separated from it by the Kansas Eiver, is the mammoth 
smelter of the Consolidated Smelting and Refining Company, of Kan- 
sas City. This is the largest institution of the kind in the world, 
producing one-lifth of all the silver and one-fifth of all the lead pro- 
duced in the United States, its annual output being valued at 118,- 
000,000. At Lovelace, three miles west of Argentine, another similar 
smelter has just been put in operation. 

Wyandotte County has the largest city in the State of Kansas — 
Kansas City, with a population of 45,000. She has twenty-three 
miles of paved streets, is lighted by electricity, has Holly system of 
water works, and has fourteen miles of double track and sixteen miles 
of single track in street railways, with five or more miles under con- 
struction. The population of the county is 63,000, distributed as 
follows: Kansas City, Kas., the metropolis of the State, 45,000; 
Argentine, a great manufacturing city of the second class, 6,000; 
Rosedale, a busy city of the third class, 4,000, and the five townships 
outside the cities, 8,000. The surface of Wyandotte County com- 
bines the rich alluvial bottom lands of the Missouri and Kansas Val- 
leys, and the lighter soils of the hills skirting them. Every plant 
that can be grown along the 39th parallel is cultivated to a high 
degree of perfection. Evidence of this is found in the fact that for 
the last eight years, the agricultural exhibits have taken first prizes at 
fairs and expositions wherever shown. Geological formations and 
experiments show that coal in p)aying quantities underlies the county, 
and capitalists are making active preparations for mining the coal. 



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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



253 



CHAPTER XIY. 



The Judicial District aso the District Court— First Session- 
Judge John Pettit— Falling of the Courtroom— Judges Mc- 
])0M-ELL, Brewer, BuRRisi, Stevens, Wagstaff, Hindsian and 
MiLLEii— The Bar— First Grand Jury— First Cases— First Petit 
Jury— Probate Court — Important Trials— Wills vs. Wood— 
The Ice Case— Title to Church Property— Homicides— Lynch- 
iNGs— The Strike of 1886— Trials of Hamilton and Others for 
Wrecking Train, etc. 



The charge is prepared, thelaw^'ers are met. 

The judges all ranged; a terrible shnw\— Beggar's Opera. 



tDICIAL DISTRICT No. 3, of the Territory of 
%^^^/G- Kansas, was what Wyandotte County was made a 

<n I |fe«* P^^'* °^ when the county was organized, and it con- 
J(3 tinned as such until an act of the Territorial Legis- 

ts Hture, approved February 27, 1860, made the 
j_ , First Judicial District of the Territory consist of 
the counties of Leavenworth, Atchison, Doniphan, 
Jefferson, Wyandotte and Arapahoe. The county 
remained in this district, and the district continued 
to be composed of the same counties until the Terri- 
ton became a State in 1801. 

The constitution adopted by the Kansas Constitu- 
tional Convention at Wyandotte, on July 29, 1859, 
and under which the State was afterward admitted 
into the Union, provided for the erection of district 
courts, as follows: 

Article 3, paragraph 152, " The State shall be di- 
vided into live judicial districts, in each of which there shall be elected 
by the electors thereof, a district judge, who shall hold his office for 
the term of four years. District courts shall be held at such times 
and places as may be provided by law." Paragraph 153 provided 







^ 



J, 



254 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



that the district courts should have such jurisdiction in their respective 
counties as might be provided by law, and paragraph 154 provided for 
the election in each organized county of a clerk of the district court, 
who should hold his office two years, and whose duties should be pro- 
vided by law. In another paragraph the constitution provided that 
the First Judicial District should consist of the counties of Wyan- 
dotte, Leavenworth, Jefferson and Jackson until otherwise provided 
by law. 

The act of Congress, admitting Kansas into the Union as a State, 
was approved by the President, January 29, 1861, and from this time 
forward the First Judicial District remained the same until an act of 
the State Legislature, approved February 25, 1809, changed AV'yan- 
dotte County to the Tenth Judicial District, and made the latter con- 
sist of the counties of Wyandotte, Johnson and Miami. This district 
continued to be composed of the same counties, until an act of the 
General Assembly, approved March 5, 1874, detached Linn County 
from the Sixth Judicial District and attached it to the Tenth Judicial 
District. In ]87() an act was passed and approved, which changed 
Linn County back to the Sixth Judicial District, thus leaving the 
Tenth to consist as before of the counties of Wyandotte, Johnson and 
Miami, and so it continued until an act, approved March 5, 1887, 
created the Twenty-ninth Judicial District, consisting of Wyandotte 
County only, as it now exists. The act creating this district set the 
time for the commencement of the several sessions of each year on 
the first Monday of March, the first Monday of June, the third Mon- 
day of September, and the first Monday of December. 

The first session of the Wyandotte District Court, which con- 
vened June 6, 1859, was presided over by Hon. Joseph Williams, 
associate justice of the Territory of Kansas. He also presided at the 
fall term of the court in the same year. The next year, Wyandotte 
County having been transferred from the Fort Scott to the Leaven- 
worth District, the Hon. John Pettit, judge of that district, presided 
over the Wyandotte District Court, holding two terms, the last one 
being the last term held under the Territorial organization. 

The history of Wyandotte, by Birdsall, Williams & Co., in speak- 
ing of Judge John Pettit, the second judge of the Wandotte Dis- 
trict Court, says, "Pettit was ill-natured, petulant, high-tempered, 
profane, tyrannical and abusive, but withal as clear-headed and 
able a jurist as ever donned the judicial ermine of Kansas. It 
was nothing unusual for him to go to Kansas City and play poker 



^^ 



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,t, 



^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 255 



aod drink whisky all night. The bar generally had to suffer for it 
the next day. In this connection we can not refrain from giving an in- 
cident that occurred at the Garno House during one of his terms of 
court. S. L. Norris, a young man from Vermont, who lived by his 
wits, brought out a carpet sack of bank-notes on the St. Albans Bank, 
which had bursted in the crash of 1857. Judge James, Col. Weer, 
NoiTis, and one or two other parties, set up a job on Pettit and got him 
to playing poker. The old man was permitted to win nearly every game, 
and every time he won the boys put out a §20 bill on the broken 
bank of St. Albans, Pettit paying change in good money. At the 
close of the term the old judge was in high glee, as his capacious 
wallet was filled with $20 bills. But when he came to pay Mrs. Hal- 
ford his hotel bill and presented one of his §20 notes, he learned the 
bank was broken; a second and a third tender meeting a refusal on 
the same grounds, he saw that he had been sold. He returned to 
Leavenworth minus about -1300 in cash, with about $1,000 in worth- 
less money, a sadder but wiser man." 

" One of those delightful zephyrs peculiar to Kansas was making 
everything 'hum' the morning Judge Pettit first opened court in 
Wyandotte, and after climbing up to the court room, which was on 
the fourth floor, he was nearly out of breath, being a much fatter man 
than Philip Hescher, though not so tall. Just as he began to call the 
docket an unusually stiff breeze sprang up, which made the structure 
tremble from foundation to turret. When the building began to 
vibrate he said, 'Mr. Sheriff, can't you get some room on the ground 
in which to hold court?' The sheriff replied that there was no room 
large enough unless he took one of the churches. Just then a little 
stiffer breeze came, and the Judge fairly roared. ' Mr. Sheriff, adjourn 
court until 2 o'clock and get a church, * * * take a church!' 
and started for the street, but had scarcely gotten half way down when 
some one cried out, 'the building is falling!' The crowd made a 
rush for the stairway, and soon the old judge found himself crowded 
and pushed to the door, where he barely escaped injury from the brick 
and debris of the falling building.'' 

Judge Pettit was succeeded by Hon. William C. McDowell, judge of 
the First Judicial District of the State. He served until the close of 
1864, and was succeeded by Jndge David J. Brewer, who served for 
the next four years, until 1869, and until Wyandotte County became 
a part of the Tenth Judicial District. The court was then presided 
over for the vear 1S69, Ijy Judge John T. Burris, of the Tenth Dis- 



«^ a 



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^ 



256 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



trict. In 1870 Hon. Hiram Stevens became judge of the Tenth 
District, and served as such until 1882. He was succeeded by AV. E. 
Wagstaff, who served until 1886, when James C. Hindman became 
the judge, serving until Wyandotte County was made the Twenty- 
niath Judicial District in 1887. When this district was formed the 
Hon. O. L. Miller was appointed judge thereof, and in the fall of 
1887, he was elected to the office and is now the present incumbent. 

Judge William C. McDowell, the first one that served under the 
State organization, lived at Leavenworth. In politics he was a Demo- 
crat and a man of tine legal attainments. Soon after the close of the 
Civil War, about 1866, he visited St. Louis on business, and there fell 
from the driver's seat of an omnibus and was killed. Judge David J. 
Brewer abo lived at Leavenworth. Some time after serving as dis- 
trict judge, he was elected to serve on the supreme bench of the State 
of Kansas. Subsequently he was appointed and served as a United States 
circuit judge, and is now serving as a member of the Supreme Court of 
the United States. Judge John T. Burris lived at Olathe, in Johnson 
County, when he served as judge of Wyandotte District Court. He 
still lives at that place, and is now judge of the Tenth Judicial Dis- 
trict. He is a man of sound ability, and is accredited by some as being 
the best judge who ever sat on the bench at Wyandotte. The home 
of Judge Hiram Stevens is at Paola, in Miami County, but his law 
office is in Kansas City, Kas. He served as judge of the court for 
twelve years. In politics he is a Republican. Judge Wagstaff also 
lives at Paola and is a Democrat. Judge Hindman lives at Olathe, 
and is a Republican. O. L. Miller, the present judge of the court, 
living in Kansas City, Kas., is a Republican politically. All of the 
judges of this court since the State was admitted into the Union are 
living, excepting Judge McDowell. 

The following is a list of the names of the resident attorneys now 
composing the Wyandotte County bar: D. B. Hadley, John A. Hale, 
John D. Scroggs, H. L. Alden, Henrj- McGrew, C. F. Hutehings, L. 
W. Keplinger, J. O. Fife, Henry McGrew, William S. Carroll, Nathan 
Cree, A. H. Cobb, J. P. Clark, Wintield Freeman, AV. H. H. Free- 
man, S. M. Garatt, W. J. Buchan, William E. Stevens, Hiram Ste- 
vens, E. J. Wall, G. B. Watson, W. E. Vandewater, D. J. Maher, W. 
T. McGuinn, J. B. Harris, W. A. Snook, H. P. Vrooman, T. P. An- 
derson, A. W. Karges, F. D. Mills, Thomas J. White, B. Jacobs, J. 
H. Blythe, L. C. Spooner, K. P. Snyder, W. J. Morse, T. E. Thomp- 
son, Frank Pitman, Frank A. Leach, John E. McFadden, Samuel S. 



^r^ 



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WYANDOTTB COUNTY. 257 



Marsh, T. B. Jewell, T. W. Heatley, James S. Gibsou, James F. 
Getty, G. D. Herring, J. W. Jenkius, J. D. Lewis, N. H. Loomis, G. 
W. Littick, W. H. Littick, A. L. Borger, J. McCabe Moore, J. M. 
Mason. N. M. Purviauce, B. S. Smith, I. F. Bradley, L. C. True, 
August Barthel, J. W. Baldwin, F. D. Hutchings, D. B. Vausyckel, 
C. E. Cook, N. A. Robertson, U. Hoyt, J. M. Searles, A. H. Kaylor, 
J. W. Lord, L. L. Sebille, J. M. Asher, T. A. Pollock, D. H. Morse. 
R. F. Porter, J. A. Appel, Joseph Combs, William T. Reed, J. J. 
Ketcham, Bruno Hobbs, John C. Hall and James M. Reese. 

This is a very large and representative bar, among the members of 
which are found many of rare legal and judicial ability and attainments. 

The first session of the Wyandotte District Court was held in Con- 
stitution Hall, in Wyandotte, the record of which read as follows: 

' ' The Territokv of Kansas, ] 

County of Wyandotte. ) 

Be it remembered that at a district court for the Third Judicial 
District of said Territory, sitting within and for the county of Wyan- 
dotte, begun and held at the court-house in the city of Wyandotte, in 
said county, on and from the sixth Monday after the fourth Monday 
in April, A. D. 1859, to wit: On the sixth day of June, one thou- 
sand eight hundred and fifty-nine. Present, Hon. Joseph Williams, 
presiding judge." 

The first action of the court was to approve of the appointment of 
William Roy as deputy clerk of the court. N. C. Claiborn, D. E. 
James and E. \V. O. Clough then severally applied to the court for 
admission to the bar as practicing attorneys and solicitors in chancery, 
and having produced to the court satisfactory evidence of their quali- 
fications as such, they were admitted, and each took the oath required 
by law. The first civil case on the docket, Gottlieb Kneipfer vs. 
George Lehman, was then dismissed on motion of the plaintiff, and at 
his cost. 

The first grand jury was then empaneled, consisting of William 
Walker, foreman; R. M. Gray, Christopher Snyder, John Collins, R. 
L. Vedder, George W. Veal, J. N. Cook, Valorious Rice, James 
McGrew, Frank Betton, Charles E. Sawyer, S. S. Bradey, Alfred 
Robinson, George Parker, Joseph W. N. Watson, Chester Coburn, 
David H. Toomb, Darius Crouch and James W. Craft. Upon being 
duly sworn and charged by the judge as to their duties, they retired 
to their chamber to consider such matters as might be brought before 
them. 



^" 



J \ 



Among other civil actions the case of Lois Kinney vs. Charles 
Robinson, Abelard Guthrie, Samuel N. Simpson, doing business under 
the style and description of the Quindaro Town Company, and Charles 
H. Chapin, Otis Webb and Samuel N. Simpson was called, and the 
defendants defaulting, judgment was rendered against them in favor of 
the plaintifP in the sum of $393.25 and the costs in the matter 
expended. This was the first judgment for money rendered by the 
court. After transacting some other business the court adjourned 
until Wednesday, June 8, when, after convening, Charles S. Glick and 
Daniel B. Hadley were appointed master commissioners for the county. 
Both of these gentlemen then filed their bonds in the sum of $1,000 
each, and otherwise became qualified for the duties of their offices. 
On this day S. A. Cobb, Jacob S. Boreman, Thomas J. Williams and 
M. D. Trefren severally applied to the court for admission to the bar 
as practicing attorneys and solicitors in chancery, and upon the pro- 
duction of the proper evidence were admitted and qualified accord- 
ingly. Also on this day the grand jury, by their foreman, presented 
in open court the following: 
"To the Hon. Joseph Williams, Associate Judge of the Territory of 

Kansas, and Judge of the Third Judicial District : 

"The grand jury for the county of Wyandotte and territory afore- 
said beg leave to make the following report: That there is no jail in 
said county or place for the confinement of prisoners, and would 
recommend that the county commissioners procure a suitable place for 
the confinement of prisoners. 

(Signed) William Walker, Foreman.'' 

Whereupon the court ordered the report to be spread upon the 
record of proceedings, and also ordered the clerk to transmit a certi- 
fied copy of the same to the board of supervisors doing county 
business. 

On the third day of the term, cases were docketed against C. N. H. 
Moor and John D. Brown for the ofPense of " selling liquor. " At 
this time his honor, Jacques W. Johnson, judge of probate, was hold- 
ing court in an adjoining room, while under the influence, it is said, 
of alcoholic liquors. "D. B. Hadley and 'Billy' McDowell were 
earnestly engaged in arguing an imjiortant case in the district court, 
when Judge Johnson called the case of Lewis M. Cox as administrator 
vs. Margaret Getsler, in the probate court. This case elicited great 
interest, as two women appeared in court, each claiming to be the 
lawful wife of the deceased, Andrew Getsler. The assets of the 



\ 



".l^ 




estate consisted of one small bouse, several barrels of Monongabela 
whisky, besides numerous jugs, bottles and demijohns of liquor. 
The little house just west of the old Brevator building was the one 
owned by the deceased, but possession of that portion of the estate 
had but little attraction in comparison with the desire to secure con- 
trol of the liquid portion of it. The attorneys were Gen. A. C. 
Davis * * * and Col. G. W. Glick. * * * These gentlemen 
entered into the contest with spirit, and the case was conducted in 
such a manner as to create a feeling of bitterness in the minds of 
counsel toward each other; the result was the trial partook more of 
the nature of a personal quarrel between attorneys than of a trial in a 
court of justice. Gen. Davis was probably one of the finest orators 
that ever addressed a court in Kansas, and as he warmed up with his 
case be became very eloquent. Glick, fearing the impression Davis 
would make on the jury if permitted to proceed with his argument, 
attempted to badger him. As counsel grew excited it was impossible 
to proceed with business in the district court on account of the noise. 
Judge Williams ordered the sheriff to notify the probate judge if he 
did not keep better order he would arrest him for contempt. Judge 
Johnson, on being so informed by the sheriff, sent back word to Judge 
Williams that he did not recognize his authority to interfere in affairs 
of his court, and that he had better not, if he did not want to be sent 
to jail for thirty days. Just at this juncture of affairs Vol Rheincher 
and John Moody, at that time boys about seventeen years of age, 
passed by the hall playing Yankee Doodle on a drum and fife; Judge 
Williams being passionately fond of music sang out, ' Mr. Sheriff 
adjourn court until 10 o'clock to-morrow morning,' and making a dive 
for his hat, at the same time disappeared down the stairs and followed 
the boys around in the hot sun until he was literally exhausted, thus 
happily preventing a conflict of authority between the district and pro- 
bate courts." [History of Wyandotte, Birdsall, Williams & Co.] 

On the fourth day of the session Philip B. Hathaway, upon appli- 
cation, was admitted to practice as an attorney at law and solicitor in 
chancery in the several counties of the Territory. The same day a 
case was docketed, upon an indictment, against John F. Wise for the 
offense of "keeping a dram-shop." Thus it appears that the conflict 
between temperance and intemperance began in the first term of the 
Wyandotte District Court. The conflict still goes on, but the heavy 
fines now assessed for the violation of the liquor laws show that the 
cause of temperance generally wins. At this first term of court John 



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J^ 



^^ 



260 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Burk, Thomas Purtie and Francis Tracy, natives of Ireland, and John 
Link, a native of Prussia, were, upon application, naturalized as citi- 
zens of the United States. 

The first term of the Wyandotte District Court continued in ses- 
sion seven days. Many civil and a few criminal cases were docketed, 
nearly all of which were continued. The attorneys admitted and com- 
posing the bar were Daniel B. Hadley, D. A. Bartlett, Glick, Bartlett 
& Glick, W. L. McMath, J. W.' Wright & Son, William Roy, D. E. 
James and B. O. Demming. 

The original official seal of the Wyandotte District Court consisted 
of a green wafer seal, with the picture of some species of plant there- 
on, but without any letters or figures whatever. Afterward, in Febru- 
ary, 1860, a new seal, containing the picture of a balance and the 
words "First District Court, Territory of Kansas," was adopted. 

The first petit jury empaneled in the county was composed as 
follows: V. J. Lane, foreman; Matthew Mudeater, Hugh Gibbons, 
Perley Pike, Elisha Sorter, Elias S. Busick, Leonard Lake, David 
Pearson, W. D. Ferguson. Daniel Croyle, Thomas Sherman and C. 
H. Carpenter. 

The jirobate records of the county show that some probate busi- 
ness for persons living within the AVyandotte purchase was trans- 
acted while it belonged to Leavenworth County; the first letters of 
administration having been issued May 11, 1857, to Charles B. Gar- 
rett, upon the estate of Henry Garrett, deceased. The first probate 
business transacted in Wyandotte County was the granting of letters 
of administration, on April 5, 1850, to Mrs. Josephine S. Cann, on 
the estate of her deceased husband, William B. Cann. Catharine 
Warpole was the first guardian appointed iu the county, she being 
ai^pointed April 22, 1850, as guardian of James, Daniel and Lydia 
Warpole, minor heirs of Catharine M. Warpole, deceased. These 
minor heirs were the first wards in the county. On April 28, 1850, 
John H. Miller was appointed curator of the estate of John Warpole, 
deceased. Jacques W. Johnson was the first probate judge of the 
county. A list of all of his successors appears elsewhere in this work 
tinder the head of " county officers." 

In 1845 Silas Armstrong, a member of the Wyandotte tribe of In- 
dians, selected 040 acres of Government land, by viitue of Article 14 
of the treaty made between the United States and his tribe in 1842. 
The land he selected is now a part of the site of Kansas City, Kas., 
and was originally bounded " north by the Missouri River, east by the 






j^=f.iL 




Missouri State linp, south b}- the Shawnee Reservation, and west by 
the Kansas River.'' In June, 1845, Mr. Armstrong took possession 
of the land, and continued to assume control of it, and made cer- 
tain improvements thereon, but failed to procure title for the reason 
that the same tract of land had been reserved in a treaty previously 
made with the Shawnee Indians for the building of a fort. But, 
as the Government did not utilize the land for that purpose, Mr. 
Armstrong continued to hold and control it, apparently with the hope 
that he would at some future time obtain his title. Again, in 1855, 
he selected the same tract under the ninth article of the treaty of 
March 1 of that year, and gave notice of the fact, dated March 14, 1855, 
to the commissioner of the general land oiHce at Washington, and 
in due time he received a patent from the Government for the land. 
Meanwhile other individuals had selected portions of this land, and 
had settled or squatted thereupon, and had made some improvements 
and claimed title adverse to Mr. Armstrong. 

This tract of land has been the subject of much litigation, which 
has created a great deal of excitement on account of its great value, 
having become partially covered with the city. Among the cases of 
litigation the most important one, and the one which settled the cpies- 
tions of ownership, is that of Willis Wills, Jr., and others vs. George 
B. Wood and others. This action was brought in the Wyandotte Dis- 
trict Court, July 21, 1874, by Willis Wills, Jr., and other heirs of 
Willis Wills, against George B. Wood and numerous other defendants. 
It was tried by the court in July, 1876, when findings of facts were 
made as follows: 

" (1.) That Willis Wills, Sr., the ancestor of these plaintiffs, did, 
in 1854, file his intent to preempt the land in suit, in the proper land 
ofSce; that afterward one Silas Armstrong obtained a patent from the 
United States to the same land, with other lands adjoining thereto. 
(2.) That to enable the said Willis AVills (together with others inter- 
ested, who claim title to this and other lands included in said patent) 
to compromise and settle all disputes in relation to such land of the 
said Willis Wills, Sr., with the said Silas Armstrong, the said Willis 
Wills, Sr. did, on the 8th day of July, 1858, join in a power of 
attorney to one David E. James, whereby the said James had full and 
ample power and authority to settle and compromise with the said 
Armstrong all suits involving the title to such land, and to compromise 
and settle with said Armstrong all questions in relation to such title. 
(3.) That on the 10th day of July, 1858, the said Willis Wills, Sr., and 

^ "^ ' , ^ h 

J], — r- ^i=^rv 



^. 



262 HISTOBY OF KANSAS. 



his wife, Mary Jane Wills, made, executed, and delivered to the said 
David E. James a quitclaim deed to all the interest that they then had 
in such land, for a good and valuable consideration. (4.) That on the 
14th day of October, 1858, the said Willis Wills, Sr. , died, leaving surviv- 
ing him the wife and several children, plaintifPs herein. (5.) That on 
the 18th day of June, 1859, the said David E. James attempted, as the 
agent of the said Willis Wills, Sr. , and by virtue of said power of attor- 
ney, to compromise with the said Silas Armstrong in relation to the said 
claim of Willis Wills, Sr. (6.) That by such attempted compromise the 
said David E. James obtained from said Armstrong a deed to one 
three-eighths interest in a portion of said land, and a one-half interest 
in certain other portions of the same, and that the title thereto was 
taken in the name of said David E. James. (7.) That in such 
deed no mention is made of the interest of the said Willis Wills, Sr. 
(8.) That the sole and only consideration for such deed was the deed 
at the same made by the said James to said Armstrong of the bal- 
ance of the interest in and to said land claimed by the persons so exe- 
cuting such power of attorney. (9.) That in pursuance of such com- 
promise the suits and legal proceedings pending in court in relation 
to the title to such lands were dismissed; and that afterward a suit 
between said Armstrong and the widow and heirs of said Willis Wills, 
Sr. , involving the title to said land, was revived and a judgment of 
such court was obtained against the defendants therein; that the last- 
named judgment remains unreversed. (10.) That in the year 1858 the 
said David E. James took possession of the land in suit, and has occu- 
pied the same, by himself, heirs and grantees ever since. (H.) That 
the said deed from the said Willis Wills, Sr., and wife, dated July 10, 
1858, to the said David E. James, was not certified to have been 
acknowledged before any person until the 21st day of July, 1859, 
when such certificate of acknowledgment was made by one Luther H. 
Wood, then a justice of the peace in and for Wyandotte, who certified 
that the said Mary J. Wills acknowledged the same to be her act and 
deed, and that one George B. Wood, who signed the said deed as wit- 
ness thereto, proved that the said Willis Wills, Sr., acknowledged the 
execution of such deed at the time that he so signed same. (12.) That 
said last-mentioned quit-claim deed was placed upon the records of 
deeds for said county on the 23d day of July, 1859. (13.) That the 
plaintifFs herein had notice of the existence of such last-mentioned 
quit-claim deed from Willis Wills, Sr., and wife, to the said David E. 
James, since the year 1860. (14.) That there is no proof of fraud in 

'^€ 1- ^, J^ 



^l4i^ 




the execution of such deed; but there is a suspicion of such fraud, 
but not founded upon the evidence. (15.) That the suid George B. 
and Luther H. Wood had some claim to and interest in said laud at 
the time said David E. James so acquired title thereto, and which 
claim and interest they derived from and through the said David E. 
James. (16.) That said power of attorney was revocable by the 
majority thereto. (17.) That said power of attorney was not coupled 
with an interest in the said David E. James, either by the terms of 
the power or otherwise." 

As conclusions of law from the foregoing findings, the court found 
as follows: 

"(1.) That said deed of July 10, 1858, revoked the said power of 
attorney, so far as the said Willis Wills, Sr. , conferred power upon said 
David E. James. (2.) That, if said deed did not so revoke such power, 
the death of Willis Wills, Sr., did have that effect. (3.) That there 
was no fraud in the execution of such deed. (4.) If there was fraud 
in same, all remedy therefor is barred by the statute of limitations. 
(5.) That the plaintiffs can not recover in this suit, but that the de- 
fendants do recover their costs herein expended." 

Judgment was thereupon rendered for the defendants, where- 
upon the plaintiffs took an appeal to the Supreme Court. James 
M. Mason was attorney for the plaintiffs, and O. H. Dean and Wal- 
lace Pratt were attorneys for the defendants. At the July term, 1882, 
the case was tried in the Supreme Court, and the findings of the 
lower court were all sustained excepting the one numbered fifteen, con- 
cerning the interest of George B. and Luther H. Wood in the 
land in question. On this finding the Supreme Court said: "We 
have searched the record through for any evidence to support this 
finding." The gist of the matter seems to have been the validity of 
the deed alleged to have been executed on July 10, 1858, by Willis 
Wills, Sr. , and his wife, to David E. James. On this point the 
Supreme Court said: "If this deed is genuine and valid, plaintiffs 
have no cause of action, and this they concede. This deed, as stated, 
was dated July 10, 1858, and was signed in the presence of George 
B. Wood as a witness. The acknowledgment is of date July 22, 1859, 
before Luther H. Wood, a justice of the peace, and recites a personal 
acknowledgment by Mary Wills, and certifies to proof by George B. 
Wood, the witness, of an acknowledgment by Willis Wills, then de- 
ceased. This deed was recorded July 23, 1859. This action was 
commenced July 21, 1874. Willis Wills died October 14. 1858, leav- 



i> fy 



'^ ha w- 




ing as his heirs a widow and children, who are the plaintifFs in this 
action. The plaintiffs in their petition copy this deed of July 10, and 
allege that it is a forgery. * * * We shall content ourselves with 
stating in a general way the reasons which induce us to sustain the 
rulings of the district court in favor of the genuineness of the deed 
and of the validity of the transaction. And, first, as to the lapse of 
time. The deed was dated and signed July 10, 1858, and was re- 
corded July 29, 1859. This action was not commenced until July 21, 
1874, two days less than fifteen years from the recording of the deed. 
While Mrs. Maples (formerly Mrs. Wills) testified that she did not 
know that the instrument signed by herself and husband was a deed 
until a year before the commencement of this action, yet it is abun- 
dantly shown by the testimony of her daughter and present husband, 
that at least in 1860 she knew that James claimed to hold a deed of 
the land. No excuse is given for this long delay, neither ignorance, ab- 
sence, nor inability. * * * No reason is given or suggested, why, 
during all these years, the plaintiffs were silent. Having abandoned 
the land, left it in possession of defendants, and permitted sale after 
sale, the only reasonable theory is that the plaintiffs all these years 
knew that the facts were as now claimed by the defendants, and never 
moved in the matter until prompted by unexpected changes in value 
or suggestions of ingenious counsel. Counsel criticise, and perbaj)s 
justly, some of the language used by the district court in its findings, 
as well as the findings themselves, but, notwithstanding, we think the 
general conclusions of the district court were correct and must be sus- 
tained. ' ' 

After further reviewing the evidence and discussing the matter, 
the Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the lower court, all the 
justices concurring. 

A matter involving the title to thirty-three acres of land in the 
residence part of Kansas City, Kas., and causing several law suits, 
is of such importance as to require mention here. The land in ques- 
tion lies in the southwestern part of the old city of Wyandotte (now 
Kansas City), south of and adjoining Tau-roo-mee Avenue. On April 
22, 1881, H. C. Long, the joint owner with his wife of this land, 
signed a written agreement to sell the same to B. Gray for the sum 
of $8,000, to be paid as follows: " $500 by the 2Sth of April, inst., 
81,500 in three months from date, and the balance $6,000 in three years, 
with interest at 8 per cent. ' ' Gray agreed to make payment as above, 
and to pay Armstrong's commission, not exceeding $100. Also by the 



-^- 
\^]« 




terms of the contract Gray was to have possession as soon as $"2,(100 
was paid, and Gray was then to have the deed from Long, aod a mort- 
gage was to be given by Gray for the balance for three years at S per 
cent, with the privilege of paying the whole or part sooner. Martha 
M. Long, wife of H. C. Long, did not sign this contract. 

On April 28, the time fixed for the first payment under the con- 
tract, Gray tendered to Long the snm of $500, that being the amount 
of the tirst payment under the terms of the contract, but Long re- 
fused to receive it, and then and there repudiated the contract. After- 
ward, on December 24, 1881, Long and his wife deeded 31^^^ acres of 
the said 'land to Elizabeth I. Crockett for the sum of 18,500, reserv- 
ing and retaining about two acres of the tract. Following this, on 
March 3, 1882, B. Gray brought an action in the Wyandotte District 
Court against Elizabeth I. Crockett, H. C. Long and Martha M. 
Long, to compel them to convey the land to him according to his con- 
tract with Long. The defendants answered by alleging that the real 
estate described was, at the execution of the said pretended contract, 
the homestead of H. C. Long and family, and that Martha M. 
Long, his wife, did not join in the alleged contract or consent there- 
to. Certain facts wei'e then admitted in the trial by the parties, 
among which wei-e the following: That if the land was outside of 
Wyandotte City at the time of contract between the plaintiff (Gray) 
and defendant, H. C. Long, it was a homestead, and could not be 
alienated without the joint consent of husband and wife;* that on April 
22, 1881, the land in controversy was occupied by H. C. Long and 
family as a homestead; that under the charter incorporating the city 
of Wyandotte in the year 1859, the land in controversy was within 
the corporate limits of the city; that in 1879 the land in controvei'sy 
was excluded from the city limits by an act of the Legislature, ap- 
proved March 12, 1879. The point then in dispute was as to the con- 
stitutionality of the law of March 12, 1879. If that law was valid, 
the land in dispute at the date of sale was outside of the city limits 
and occupied as a homestead. If that law was void, the land in con- 
troversy was within the city limits, and therefore not a homestead. 
Among other facts introduced, it was admitted that at the time H. C. 
Long and wife conveyed the thirty-one acres to Mrs. Crockett, she 
(Mrs. Crockett) had notice of the written contract of sale by H. C. 
Long to the plaintiff, B. Gray. 

*By the State Constitution, one acre witliin the limits of an inc-oriioiated city, or liH) ai-ies 
in the country, constitute a homestead. 



V 



4^ — «- 

1 

J 266 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



The issues formed were submitted to the court upon the admitted 
facts, and the evidence introduced by the parties, with a request that 
the court find the facts specifically, and state it^ conclusions of law. 
The facts were found to be substantially as admitted, and as stated in 
the foregoinof, and the conclusions of the court were as follows: 

" 1. By the act incorporating said city of Wyandotte in 1859, 
such homestead was not destroyed, nor the defendant's rights thereto 
divested. 

"2. Said act of March 12, 1879, is a valid and constitutional 
law, and in full force as such. 

"3. The said contract of April 22, is void and of no avail." 

Exceptions were properly taken to these conclusions by the plaint- 
iff, and the case was appealed to the Supreme Court of the State. The 
attorneys in the case were B. Gray, for himself, and N. Cree for 
plaintiff, and John B. Scroggs and Hiiam Stevens, for defendants. 

The Supreme Court, after thoroughly reviewing the case, concluded 
that, " The land in controversy was legally included within the limits 
of Wyandotte City, by the act of incorporation of January 29, 1859; 
that the special act of March 12, 1879, attempting to exclude it from 
the corporate limits of that city, was void; that at the date of the 
contract of April 22, 1881, all of the land in controversy, consisting 
of about thirty-three acres, was within the limits of an incorporated 
city, and therefore one acre only, together with all improvements on 
the same, could be claimed, even if there had been no sale thereof, 
by Long or his wife as a homestead." The judgment of the dis- 
trict court was reversed, and the cause remanded, all the justices con- 
curring. 

Afterward, B. Gray brought an action against Elizabeth I. 
Crockett, and H. C, Long and wife, to compel them to convey to him 
the land in controversy, under the conclusions of law rendered by the 
Supreme Court as aforesaid, and in July, 1883, he obtained judgment 
to that effect against the defendants. From this judgment the de- 
fendants took apjaeal to the Supreme Coiirt, and the justices thereof, 
all concurring, decided that their conclusions of law in the original 
case did not prepare it for final judgment. That upon remanding the 
cause, there should have been another trial for the purpose of deter- 
mining what part of the thirty-three acres should be reserved as the 
one-acre homestead, and what part Long should convey to Gray. 
The court held also, that the consideration which Gray should be re- 
quired to pay if finally awarded a decree for thirty-two acres, the 

^ _ — ^ I U. 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 267 



tract less the hoiiaestead, should not be 18,000, the contract price, 
but that sum should be reduced in the proportion of the value of the 
homestead acre to that of the entire tract. Judgment was therefore 
reversed, and the cause remanded for a new trial. 

On May 2, 1884, a motion by defendants for a change of venue was 
sustained, and the cause was sent to the district court of Douglas Coun- 
ty, where trial was had in July of that year, and judgment rendered 
in favor of the defendants for costs. To this plaintiff excepted and 
took an appeal to the Supreme Court which body held that the plaint- 
iff (GrajO was entitled to the enforcement of his contract with H. C. 
Long, and said he did not bargain for or purchase the supposed in- 
choate interest of Mrs. Long. She did not sign the contract, and was 
not asked to sign the same. The plaintiff is entitled to what his 
written contract calls for. The decree, however, for the specific per- 
formance of the contract, as well on the part of H. C. Long as of 
Mrs. Crockett, must be so framed as to fully protect such inchoate in- 
terest of Mrs. Long, as the wife of H. C. Long, whether owned by 
herself or subsequent to the contract transferred to her co defendant, 
Mrs. Crockett. The judgment of the lower court was reversed, and 
the cause remanded with dii'ections to enter judgment for the plaintiff 
in accordance with the views above expressed. Accordingly, judg- 
ment was rendered for the plaintiff at the November term, of the 
Douglas District Coiirt in ISSfi. The defendant, Crockett, then took 
the case again to the Supreme Court. 

The trial court, in its decree for specific performance, required 
Gray to pay at once into the court the sum of |500; also $66 for 
taxes paid by Elizabeth I. Crockett, and $100 for Armstrong's com- 
mission; also $1,500 in ninety days; and to deposit in court, for deliv- 
erj' to Elizabeth I. Crockett, his note in the sum of $5,500 ($500 being 
abated on account of the homestead acre), payable three years from 
date, with interest at 8 per cent per annum, payable annually, said 
note to be secured by a mortgage upon the premises sold to Gray by 
Long. Under said decree Gray was also to have the privilege to pay 
the mortgage, or any part thereof, prior to the maturity of the note 
secured by the mortgage. It was shown by the evidence before the 
trial court that the rental value of the premises from July 23, 1881, to 
April 1, 1884, was $120 per annum, and from that time to November, 
1886, the rental value was $170 per annum. 

The contention on the part of the counsel for the Longs and Mrs. 
Crockett was that Gray should have been required by the decree of the 






^4* — ^ =?=4^ 



268 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



trial court to pay the total fS.OOO (less the value of the homestead 
acre), with interest thereon from April 22, 1881. The Supreme Court 
sustained the judgment of the lower court in part, but held that as 
Gray was not liable for interest, he should be required to pay Long 
or deposit in court all that was due for the premises, upon the entry 
of the decree for specific performances, and thereupon the judgment of 
the district court was again reversed for further proceedings in accord- 
ance with the views expressed by the Supreme Court. 

This case was five times before the Supreme Court. [See Gray vs. 
Crockett, 30 Kas., 138; Crockett vs. Gray, 31 Id., 346; Gray vs. Crock- 
ett, 35 Id., 66; Gray vs. Crockett, 35 Id., 686; Crockett vs. Gray, 39 
Id., 659. 

There was still some further litigation concerning this property, 
but it was finally compromised so that Gray became the owner of 
Long's interest aside from the homestead acre, and the interest of 
Mrs. Long as the wife of H. C. Long. 

A case containing valuable information concerning navigable rivers, 
and the right to take therefrom the ice that forms on the same, is that 
of Robert W. Wood and others against Robert A. Fowler and others. 
This action was brought by plaintiffs in the Wyandotte District Court 
to restrain defendants from cutting and removing ice formed on the 
surface of the Kansas River within certain described boundaries. 
Trial was had at the April term, 1881, of the court. Plaintiffs alleged 
in their petition that Matthias Splitlog, as the owner of the land 
described therein, (a tract in Wyandotte City) owned the waters of the 
river to the middle of the main channel, and by a lease made by him 
to plaintiffs the frontage of the land and the waters were conveyed to 
them for the period of ten years, and that the ice which formed upon 
the surface of the waters was the property of the j^laintiffs. They 
ftirther alleged that they had, at great expense, constructed ice-houses 
on the banks of the river contiguous to the Splitlog land, and had 
established a business as ice-packers and dealers at a great commer- 
cial center, and that the crop of ice which formed upon the Splitlog 
waters was essential to the prosecution of their business, and there- 
fore prayed for an injunction to restrain defendants from cutting and 
appropriating the aforesaid ice. A demurrer to the petition was sus- 
tained in the district court. John J. Cravens was attorney for plain- 
tiffs, and Leland J. Webb for defendants. It was argued by defend- 
ants, in substance, that the Kansas was a navigable river, a fact of 
which the court must take judicial knowledge, and that rights of 

4 «' ^ ' I l9 

^?6 ^ -I 8 ^ 



l^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 269 



jDlaiutiffs did not extend beyond the bank of the river into the water, 
and that they had no more right to cut and remove the ice than any 
other individual. Plaintiffs appealed to the supreme court, and that 
body in its review of the case said, "We think the claim of the 
defendants is correct, that the court is bound to take judicial knowl- 
edge of the navigability of the stream, * * * and in taking judicial 
notice we know that the Kansas is the largest river wholly within the 
limits of the State; that it has been recognized as the prominent 
geographical feature dividing the State into Northern and Southern 
Kansas; that in early territorial history it was, in fact, navigated, a 
few steamboats going up and down its waters; and that its volume of 
water is such that in its natural condition it is capable of being used 
for purposes of navigation, and so coming within the recognized defi- 
nition in this country of a navigable stream. * * * We know 
that the lines of the United States surveys do not cross the channel, 
but that the stream was meandered. * * * It is true in 186-1 an 
act was passed by the State Legislature declaring the Kansas and cer- 
tain other rivers not navigable; but the plain implication of the act is 
that the stream had heretofore been considered navigable, and its pur- 
pose was to sanction the bridging and damming of such streams. It 
certainly was not the purpose, and the act had not the effect to 
enlarge the title of the riparian owners, or to recognize them as pos- 
sessed of higher rights than heretofore. Indeed, where title is once 
vested a mere change in the condition or character of the current or 
the uses to which the stream is put will not transfer any title. 
* * * fijp stream having been meandered, the lines of the sur- 
veys are bounded by the bank; the patents from the United States 
passed title only to the bank; Splitlog as riparian owner owned only to 
the bank. The title to the bed of" the stream is in the State. 

'"The title to the soil being in the State, and the stream being a 
public highway, obviously the ownership of the ice would rest in the 
general public, or in the State as the representative of that public. 
The riparian proprietor would have no more title to the ice than he 
would to the fish. It is simply this, that his land joins the land of 
the State. The fact that it so joins gives him no title to that land, or 
to anything formed or grown upon it, any more than it does to any- 
thing formed or grown or found upon the land of any individual 
neighbor. * * It woTild seem that the one who first appropriates 
and secures the ice which is formed is entitled to it, and on the same 
principle that he who catches a fish in one of those rivers owns it." 



^f^ 



270 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



The judgment of the district court was affirmed, all the justices 
concurring. 

In 1882 was begun the action of the First Presbyterian Church 
of Wyandotte against the board of commissioners of Wyandotte 
County, involving the title to a lot of ground 150 feet square in the 
northeast corner of Huron Place, at the corner of Sixth Street and 
Minnesota Avenue, in Wyandotte, now Kansas City, Kas. The 
church claimed title to this ground by virtue of the dedication by the 
Wyandotte City Company, in 1859, of this tract for a "church lot." 
A resolution of the Wyandotte City Company in these words: "Re- 
solved that a church lot be appropriated to the Presbyterian Church, 
new school, etc.," was introduced in evidence, which together with 
the parol testimony of a number of citizens, was by the court con- 
sidered sufficient to identify the First Presbyterian Church as the 
beneficiar)' intended. The commissioners claimed title by virtue of a 
deed, dated April 8, 1868, from the Wyandotte City Company to the 
county commissioners. They claimed that this deed was a revocation 
of the dedication; that there being no Presbyterian Church in the 
city to take the lot under the dedication prior to about 1881, the 
Wyandotte City Company had perfect right to convey by the deed of 
1868; and that the law does not authorize a dedication of land for 
church purposes in this State. 

The commissioners were about to begin the erection of a court- 
house on this property when this suit was instituted, and a temporary 
injunction against the commissioners was granted. The defendants 
moved to dissolve the injunction, but the motion was overruled. The 
case was tried without a jury at the April term. 1882, of the district 
court, which resulted in findings and judgment for the church. The 
case was then taken to the Supreme Court by the commissioners, 
represented by Hiram Stevens, John B. Scroggs and James S. Gib- 
son. Day & Troutman, of Topeka, represented the plaintiffs in the 
Supreme Court. This court affirmed the judgment of the district 
court. The First Presbyterian Church then took possession of the 
lot, built a chapel thereon, and occupied the premises until 1890. In 
1889 the First Presbyterian Church tiled a petition in the district 
court, alleging that this property had become valuable for business 
purposes, and that by reason of the bviilding of two railroads, one 
on Sixth Street and the other on Minnesota Avenue, it had become 
unsuitable for church purposes, and asking for a decree in equity 
allowing the property to be sold for $50,000, and the proceeds of the 



^I^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 271 



sale to be iuvested in another lot and church building in a more 
suitable location. The decree was granted, and the trustees of the 
church were required to give bond in the sum of S'60,000, conditioned 
that the proceeds of the sale be reinvested in another lot and building. 
The property was sold to the Portsmouth Building Company, and 
the construction of a large office and business building was begun on 
this lot in the spring of 1890, whereupon the Land Claim & Invest- 
ment Company, claiming to own the interests of the majority of the 
old Wyandotte City Company, and a large number of heirs and as- 
signees of the members of the Wyandotte City Company, brought 
suit against the Portsmouth Building Company and the First Presby- 
terian Church to enjoin the construction of the business building and 
the secularization of this property, claiming that by reason of the 
sale of the lot by the church and the abandonment of it for church 
purposes, it reverted to the Wyandotte City Company or their heirs 
and assignees. 

The temporary injunction was denied by the district court, and the 
plaintiffs took the case to the Supreme Court. The case for ejectment 
and perpetual injuriction was regularly for trial at the June term, 1890, 
of the district court. 

There have been many homicides in Wyandotte County — equally as 
many, and, perhaps, more than in any other county in the State. To 
enumerate them all and to give particulars pertaining to them, would 
require a large volume, hence, only a few of them can be mentioned. 
There never has been a legal execution of an individual within the 
county for the commitment of crime. However, several men have 
been hung under the administration of lynch law. 

During the Civil War of 1861-65 Wyandotte County was infested 
with a gang of robbers and pillagers called Red Legs, and after the 
war closed they continued to make this county their headquarters, and 
murder and robbery were the result. The many crimes committed, and 
the facilities with which the desperadoes escaped punishment, caused 
the people to take the law into their own hands. The first act in 
which the people took a part occurred in the spring of 1866. " John 
Tehan, a section boss on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, went to the 
livery stable of J. L. Conklin a little after dark and employed Conklin 
to take him to Kansas City. Before starting Tehan inquired of Conk- 
lin what time it was. On the way over Conklin was shot in the groin. 
Tehan, who was under the influence of liquor, rode on to Kansas City. 
The next day he was arrested, brought to Wyandotte, identified by 



^^^ 



J\l 



'-4^ 



2T2. 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Conklin, put in jail, taken out that night and hung to the steps of the 
old court-house. A great many persons are of the opinion that Tehan 
was innocent." 

Early in the summer of 1860 Newt. Morrison, a noted Red Leg 
and desperado, was found one morning hanging from the same place. 
A few months later two colored men, suspected of being implicated in 
the murder of one McNamara, were taken from the calaboose, and 
also hung from the same steps, the steps being on the outside of the 
building. Afterward they were believed to have been innocent. 
Though perhaps the innocent sufiPered, it seems that the action of the 
lynchers put a stop to the work of the desperadoes for the time being. 

A noted man who sufPered death at the hands of a murderer was 
Samuel Hallett, who came to this county from the State of New York. 
In August, 1863, be began the grade of the Union Pacific Railway 
near the bridge, where the railroad crosses the Kansas River, in Kan- 
sas City, Kas. He was a shrewd business man, of great energy, and 
pushed the work of building the road with great rapidity. On the '27th 
of July of the following year, while with a number of other gentlemen 
in front of the Garno Hotel, on the corner of Third Street and Minne- 
sota Avenue in Wyandotte, one Talcutt who had previously been in his 
employ as a civil engineer, shot and killed him. The murderer then 
mounted his horse and fled to Quindaro, and there dismounted in front 
of a house, hitched his horse, passed through the house and into a 
cornfield, and made his escape from the posse that followed him. It is 
said that he kept hid for several months, then went away and secured 
employment on another line of railroad, and no efforts were made to 
arrest him. This afPair is referred to at length in former pages. 

Nothing perhaps has ever created so much excitement in Wyandotte 
County as the strike of the workmen on the Missouri Pacific and other 
railroad lines in the spring of 1886. Thousands of men in the employ 
of the railroad companies joined together in a demand for higher 
wages, and agreed that if the demand was not complied with, they 
would all, at a certain time, quit work and leave the companies without 
force to run their trains. The demand was made, but not complied 
with, whereupon the workmen ' 'struck' ' and left the railroad com ■ 
panies helpless for the time being. All freight trains were stopped. 
This caused much inconvenience and greatly damaged the business, 
not only of the railroad companies, but of the entire country by stop- 
ping the movement of commerce. The strikers not only ceased work 
themselves, but did all in their power to prevent others willing to 



If^ 



^ (S_ 




take their places from working, while some of them went so far as to 
damage railroad property and even to commit murder. 

On the night of April 26, 18S6, six men (strikers) attended a meet- 
ing of the Knights of Labor in Kansas City, Mo., and then crossed 
over to Wyandotte, passed down the Missouri Pacific Railroad to a 
point south of the Wyandotte bridge, and there displaced the spikes, 
fish plates and iron rails upon the track of the Missouri Pacific Rail- 
road At this place the railroad runs upon the bank of the river at 
the foot of the bluff, and makes a curve with the outside next to the 
water. The displacements were made on the outside of the curve, so 
as to throw the train toward the water and probably into the river. 
According to evidence given on the subsequent trial, a train passed over 
the road just about the time the wreckers began their hellish work, 
and six or eight shots were fired into it. But the evidence did not 
reveal the names of the persons firing the shots. Having finished 
their evil work and being satisfied that a wreck would be the certain 
result thereof, the wreckers dispersed and went to their respective 
homes and awaited results, fully expecting to hear of a wreck the 
next Djorning, and their expectations were fully realized. Before 
morning Benjamin Hortou and George Carlisle, two men in the employ 
of the railroad company, attempted to run an engine over the road, 
and at the place prepared by the wreckers the engine was derailed and 
completely wrecked, and Horton and Carlisle were instantly killed, 
their bodies being crushed. This was wreaking vengeance upon the 
' ' scabs ' ' as well as upon the railroad company. The next day great 
excitement prevailed, and the wreckers, not being known, had an 
opportunity of looking with satisfaction upon the result of their fiendish 
work. 

Efforts were now made to ferret out the guilty parties. The rail- 
road company employed detectives, one of whom, George A. Fowle 
(known as Brother Alfred), was sent by Chief Detective Furlong to 
endeavor to discover the identity of the train wreckers. He reached 
Kansas City, and, making the acquaintance of certain Knights of La- 
bor, represented himself as a special envoy sent by Powderly, the 
great leader of the Knights, for the purpose of discovering who were 
the Kfiights that were connected with the train-wrecking, and remov- 
ing them to parts where they would not be likely to be found by the 
ofBcers of the law, if they should be discovered as the guilty parties. 
Passing through the two Kansas Cities and other points, and mingling 
with Knights of Labor, he succeeded in winning their confidence to 



j) \, 



274 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



such an extent that he selected the men he believed to be the guilty 
ones. Thereupon Chief Detective Thomas Furlong filed his affidavit in 
the ofiice of F. B. Anderson, a justice of the peace in Wyandotte, 
charging in substance that on or about April 26, 1886, Kobert Geers, 
Fred Newport, Michael Leary, Oliver J. Lloyd, William Vossen and 
George Hamilton displaced the spikes, fish plates, and iron rails 
upon the track of the Missouri Pacific Kailroad in Wyandotte County, 
in the State of Kansas, and caused the death of George Carlisle and 
Benjamin Horton. Upon this information the jsarties above named 
were all arrested, and on July 29, 1886, they were taken be- 
fore Squire F. B. Anderson for preliminary trial. This trial con- 
tinued two days. Vossen waived examination. The Justice found 
sufficient reason to commit the prisoners, and therefore bound them 
over to the district court. It was believed that George Hamilton was 
the principal or leader of the train wreckers, and he was the first one 
brought to trial. He was tried at the December term, 1886, of the 
district court. The lawyers engaged on the part of the State were 
James S. Gibson, county attorney. Judge Henry D. Laughlin, Mar- 
shal F. McDonald and Col. R. S. McDonald, all of St. Louis, and 
Bailey Waggener, of Atchison. Those engaged on the part of the 
defense were C. F. Hatchings and L. W. Keplinger, of Kansas City, 
Kas.. Gov. Charles P. Johnson, of St. Louis, and Maj. William War- 
ner, of Kansas City, Mo. 

William Vossen, who had turned "State's evidence" at the pre- 
liminary trial, and revealed all the particulars about removing the 
spikes, fish plates, iron rails, etc. , by which he implicated himself and 
the other five prisoners, making them all guilty, again testified. The 
trial lasted a long time— extending the December term of the court into 
January. It was a hotly contested case and created great excitement. 
The j ury, after having the matter under consideration for nearly a week, 
reported that they could not agree upon a verdict, and were thereupon 
discharged. It is reported that seven were for conviction and five for 
acquittal. 

The defendants, Lloyd and Newport, called for a change of venue, 
and were sent to Miami County for trial. There, in the following 
summer (that of 1887) Lloyd was tried and acquitted. Newport then 
turned " State's evidence," and plead guilty to "manslaughter in the 
first degree." It is believed that he plead guilty to manslaughter by 
the advice of the prosecuting counsel, for the purpose of strengthen- 
ing his evidence against the others, with the understanding that he 



>v 



should not be punished. His evidence was substantially the same as 
that of Vossen. There were now two of the defendants ready to tes- 
tify against the others. Lloyd was tried in Miami County for the 
murder of Horton. and after acquittal he was arrested and held for the 
murder of Carlisle. 

Hamilton had his second trial in September, 1887. The great fight 
was now made; Vossen, Newport and others testified against the de- 
fendant. The prosecution was controlled by the attorneys of the Mis- 
souri Pacific Railroad Company. Great efforts had been made, on ac- 
count of the defendants being members of the Knights of Labor, to 
implicate that organization and hold it responsible in the estimation of 
the public for the crime committed. Unfortunately for the prosecu- 
tion, this had the effect to make it appear to the public that instead of 
its being a prosecution by the State against individuals for the crime 
of murder, it was a prosecution by the Missouri Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany, backed up by other corporations, against the organization of the 
Knights of Labor. This served to arouse the sympathy of that class 
of people who are always predjudiced against large corporate bodies, 
in liehalf of the parties charged with wrecking the engine, and thus 
committing the murders. It had become very difficult to obtain a jury 
of "twelve good and lawful men" who had never read or heard 
enough about this affair to enable them to form an opinion as to the 
guilt of the parties charged with the commission of the crime. But 
finally, in the case of the State against Hamilton, such a jury was 
found, and after hearing all the evidence, the argument of counsel 
and the charge of the court, they retired for consultation, and on Sep- 
tember 12, 1887, brought in a verdict of " not guilty." 

The attorneys on the part of the prosecution now recognizing the 
fact that they could not select jurors from the more intelligent class of 
people, the class that read the news and formed opinions of their own, 
and the further fact that much predjudice had been aroused against the 
railroad company, and believing that further prosecution would be of 
no avail, advised the dismissal of all the cases pending against the al- 
leged train-wreckers, and they were accordingly dismissed. 

Several other persons charged with committing murder have been 
tried in the Wyandotte District Court, some of whom have been found 
guilty, and have been sentenced to the penitentiary, while others have 
been acquitted. 



>^ « 



k^ 



276 



HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



CHAPTER XY. 



Freedom and Slavery— First Regiment Kansas Volunteers— In- 
fantry— Second Regiment Infantry— Fifth Regiment Cav- 
alry—Sixth Regiment Cavalry— Tenth Regiment Infantry — 
Twelfth Regiment Cavalry— Fifteenth Regiment Cavalry' — 
Sixteenth Regiment Cavalry— First Regiment Kansas Col- 
ored Troops— Rosters of Officers and Enlisted Men from 
Wyandotte County. 



To bind the bruise; 



I since liave labor'd 
of a civil war. 




Our armours now may rust, our idle scimeters 
Hang by our sides for ornament, not use. — Dryden. 



^"^NDER treaties between them and the United 
States, that portion of the territory now con- 
stituting Wyandotte County belonged to the 
Indians, when the contest between freedom 
and slavery, between the free-State men and 
the slave-State men, began in Kansas. It was 
not open for settlement by the whites until 
after the treaty of 1855, between the United 
States and the Wyandotte Indians, and no active settle- 
ment by the whites took place until 1857. In 1860 there 
were only 2,420 white people in the county, and they were 
mostly in that part known as the " Wyandotte Purchase." 
The bloody struggle that existed in the Territory of Kan- 
sas from 1854 until it was admitted into the Union as a 
State, did not prevail to any considerable extent io what is 
now Wyandotte County. Of course the early settlers here 
were interested in the affairs, some being in favor of a 
free State, while others favored a slave State, but no important events 
or lights took place here while the struggle was going on. However, 




"CH 



riV 



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k. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 277 



the territory of the county was crossed and recrossed by the contend- 
ing parties. A few of the early settlers took part in the struggle at 
other points, and a few were with and assisted Capt. John Brown 
in his war against slavery. 

After "Wyandotte Coimty was organized, and Kansas was admitted 
as a free State, and the great rebellion against the Union of the States 
was inaugurated, her citizens arrayed themselves on the side of the 
Union, and began to organize and enlist soldiers for the First Regi- 
ment Kansas Volunteer Infantry. A brief historical sketch of the 
history of this regiment, is followed by a roster of the soldiers serving 
therein from Wyandotte County. This regiment was raised be- 
tween May 20, and June 3, 1861. The men rendezvoused at Camp 
Lincoln, near Fort Leavenworth. The regiment was mustered into 
the service of the United States, June 3, 1861, the staff officers being 
Col. George W. Deitzler, of Lawrence; Lieut. -Col. Oscar E. Learnard, 
of Burlington; Maj. John A. Haldermau, of Leavenworth ; Adjt. Ed- 
win S. Nash, of Olathe; Q. M. George H. Chapin, of Quindaro; 
Surg. George E. Buddington, of Quindaro; Asst. Surg. Samuel D. 
Smith, of Elwood, and Chap. Ephraim Nute, Jr., of Lawrence. 

While the regiment was lying in its original camp, a rebel flag was 
displayed at the village of latan, across the river in Missouri, about 
eight miles above Leavenworth. Sergt. Denning, with a squad of six 
men, proceeded, without orders, on June 5, to haul down the insolent 
rag. Three of these men were wounded, but they brought the flag to 
camp as a trophy and evidence of their success. In due time the 
regiment broke camp, ' and moved toward the field of war, and on 
July 7 it effected a junction with the army of Gen. Lyon. Afterward, 
on August 10, it participated in the battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo., 
-where it sufl'ered considerable loss in killed and wounded. It then 
fell back with the army to Rolla, Mo. Soon after Beauregard evacu- 
ated Corinth, Miss., the First Kansas arrived at Pittsburg Landing, 
where the great battle of Shiloh had been fought on the 6th and 7th 
of the previous April. Reinforcements not being necessary there. 
Gen. Halleck sent the regiment to Columbus, Ky. The regiment led 
the pursuit of the rebels, as part of Gen. McPherson's brigade, after 
the battles of October 3 and 4, 1862, at Corinth. It participated in the 
campaigns against Vickshurg, in Mississippi. After February 1, 1863, 
the First Kansas was mounted, and for the next eighteen months it 
served as mounted infantry, being a very effective branch of the army. 
After the fall of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863, it was ordered to Natchez, 

® I « ■ 

^ e r- -^ i, \ 



LlA 



278 HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



Miss., to hold that post. In October following it was returned to 
Vicksburg, and stationed on an outpost on Black River Bridge, with 
picket posts on both sides of the river. It also accompanied Gen. 
McArthur's expedition up the Yazoo River. 

Upon the expiration of its term of service (June 3, 1864), all of the 
men, except recruits whose terms of enlistment had not expired, and 
two companies of re-enlisted veterans, embarked on board the trans- 
port Arthur, and moved to Leavenworth, where they were mustered 
out, June 16, 1864. The veterans of the regiment continued in the 
service in the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas, 
until after the close of the war, and were mustered out at Little Rock, 
Ark., August 30, 1865. 

The roster of officei's and enlisted men, from Wyandotte Countj', 
in the First Regiment of Kansas Volunteer Infantry, is as follows: 

William Y. Roberts, mustered May 28, 1861, as captain of Com- 
pany B; promoted major May 12, 1862; promoted colonel June 15, 
1863; mustered out with regiment June 17, 1864. 

George H. Chapin, quartermaster, mustered June 3, 1861; re- 
signed October 25, 1861. 

George E. Buddington, surgeon, mustered July 24, 1861; resigned 
March 12, 1863. 

Joseph Speck, surgeon, mustered June 3, 1863; assigned to vet- 
eran battalion May 28, 1864; mustered out August 30, 1865. 

Avery G. Norman, mustered June 3, 1861, as private. Company B; 
promoted regimental quartermaster-sergeant July 2, 1863; mustered 
out with regiment. 

John P. Alden, mustered May 28, 1861, as first lieutenant of Com- 
pany B; wounded in the battle of Wilson's Creek August 10, 1861; 
promoted captain May 12, 1862; promoted captain and A. C. S. Vol- 
unteers July 2, 1868. 

John W. Dyer, mustered June 3, 1861, as first sergeant of Com- 
pany B; promoted second lieutenant June 8, 1861; killed in battle of 
Wilson's Creek August 10, 1861. 

Hubbard H. Sawyer, mustered June 3, 1861, as a private in Com- 
pany B; promoted June 8, 1861, as first sergeant; promoted second 
lieutenant September 1, 1861; resigned July 5, 1862. 

Jason Morse, mustered June 3, 1861, as a private in Company B; 
promoted corporal July 17, 1861; promoted first sergeant August 19, 
1862; reduced to ranks April 19, 1863. 

Philip Knoblock, mustered June 3, 1861, as sergeant in Company 

4 '\ b ^ 

^ 6 ~^ - ^ to fV 



4 



11^ 



WVANDOTTE COUNTY. 279 



B; promoted first sergeant September 18, 1863; mustered out with 
regiment June 16, 1864. 

Aaron W. Merrill, mustered June 3, 1861, as sergeant of Coinpanj^ 
B: promoted second lieutenant July 8, 1862; mustered out with 
regiment June 16, 1864. 

Theodore Battles, mustered June 3, 1861, as sergeant of Company 
B; reduced to ranks July 16, 1861; discharged for disability May 9 
1862. 

Orson Bartlett, mustered June 3, 1861, as sergeant of Company 
B; discharged for disability June 8, 1862. 

George C. Brown, mustered June 3, 1861, as corporal of Company 
B; promoted sergeant September 25, 1861; discharged for disability 
June 25, 1862. 

Velmoor C. Clemmons, mustered June 3, 1861, as corporal of 
Company B; promoted sergeant August 19, 1862; mustered out with 
regiment June 16, 1864. 

George R. Ingersoll, mustered June 3, 1861, as corporal of Com- 
pany B; reduced to ranks July 17, 1861; mustered out with regiment 
June 16, 1864. 

John Warren, mustered June 3, 1861, as corporal of Company B; 
transferred to Company H November 3, 1861; mustered out with 
regiment June 16, 1864. 

George W. Garno, mustered June 3, 1861, as a private in Com- 
pany B; promoted corporal July 17, 1861; reduced to ranks Janu- 
ary 18, 1862; discharged for disability June 11, 1862. 

Dennis Castello, mustered June 3, 1861, as private of Company 
B; promoted corporal September 1, 1861; reduced to ranks Septem- 
ber 18, 1861; mustered out with regiment June 16, 1864. 

AVilliam Lloyd, mustered June 3, 1861, as private of Company B; 
promoted corporal September 1, 1861; mustered out with regiment 
June 16, 1864. 

John O'Donnell, mustered June 3, 1861, as corporal of Company 
B; reduced January 15, 1862. 

Patrick Collins, mustered June 3, 1861, as private of Company B; 
promoted corporal September 25, 1861; discharged December 16,1862. 

John O. Flaherty, mustered June 3, 1861, as corporal of Company 
B; reduced December 28, 1862. 

John Fairall, mustered June 3, 1861, as priPte of Company B; 
promoted corporal in 1862; died at Vicksburg, Miss., in March, 1864, 
of wounds received in action. 






4 



280 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



John Johnson, mustered June 3, 1861, as private of Company B; 
promoted corporal April 5, 1862; mustered out with regiment June 
16, 1864. 

Richard Burland, mustered June 6, 1861, as corporal of Company 
B; mustered out with regiment June 16, 1864. 

Henry J. Fairbanks, mustered June 3, 1861, as private of Com- 
pany B; promoted corporal August 19, 1862; mustered out with 
regiment. 

Thomas Grady, mustered June 3, 1861, as private Company B; 
promoted corporal November 14, 1862; promoted sergeant November, 
1863. 

Valentine Rheicheneker, musician. Company B; mustered June 3, 
1861 ; mustered out with regiment. 

John Moody, musician. Company B; mustered June 3, 1861; trans- 
ferred to Company C, Second Kansas Cavalry, May 20, 1862; mustered 
out April 23, 1866. 

The following were all privates of Company B, First Regiment 
Kansas Volunteer Infantry, all of whom mustered in with the 
regiment: 

Henry Boyle, mustered out with the regiment. 

Cyrus Bowman, discharged for disability September 21, 1861. 

Daniel Collins, deserted June 18, 1861. 

William J. Carlisle, wounded in battle of Wilson's Creek; dis- 
charged for disability September, 1861. 

Dewitt C. Dennison, wounded in battle of Wilson's Creek; dis- 
charged for disability February, 1862. 

Daniel Donahoe, transferred to Company E November 1, 1861; 
died in Trenton, Tenn., September 9, 1862. 

Daniel Emmons, deserted at St. Louis, Mo., October 26, 1861. 

David Flemming, deserted at Chillicothe, Mo., August 14. 1862. 

Robert Good, deserted October 16, 1861. 

Brian Henry, wounded in action near Wilson's Creek, Mo. , Au- 
gust 18, 1861; mustered out with regiment. 

John Killen, mustered out with regiment. 

August Kreiger, deserted at Fort Riley, Kas. , August 14, 1862. 

Martin Lawler, killed in battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo., August 
10, 1861. 

Sylvester T. Smith, mtistered as a private; promoted second lieu- 
tenant Company H February 11, 1862; jiromoted captain of Com- 
pany H October 24, 1862; resigned February 27, 1863. 






>?-. 




William H. Nichols, mustered out with regiment. 

Francis Tracy, died at Natchez, Miss., August 21, 1863. 

John Van Fossen, discharged for disability May 1, 1862, at Fort 
Kiley, Kas. 

John Wilson, mustered out with regiment. 

Charles Wilstoff, transferred to Company F July 1, 1861; de- 
serted at Memphis, Tenn., January 16, 1S63. 

Ely L. Zane, deserted at Wyandotte, Kas., March 16, 1862. 

Additional enlistments. Company B: 

William S. Camps, mustered June 6, 1861; transferred to Com- 
jsany D March 1, 1862; mustered out on fultillment of service at 
Vicksburg, Miss. 

Hugh Gibbons, mustered February 18, 1862; transferred to Vet- 
eran Battalion May 26, 1864:. 

Enlistments in other companies of the First Regiment Kansas Vol- 
unteer Infantry: 

Company F. — Joseph Gilliford, mustered June 1, 1861, as ser- 
geant; promoted second lieutenant September 1, 1861; promoted tirst 
lieuteoant May 26, 1862; resigned June 14, 1862. 

Fred W. Smith, mustered June 1, 1861, as a private; re-enlisted 
veteran. 

Jacob Arnold, mustered June 1, 1861, as private; wounded at bat- 
tle of Wilson's Creek; re-enlisted veteran. 

Joel Armes, mustered June 1, 1861, as private; killed in the bat- 
tle of Wilson's Creek, Mo., August 10, 1861. 

Henry Cooper, mustered as private June 1, 1861; deserted at Lit- 
tle York, Mo., July 27, 1861. 

Joy Casey, mustered as private June 1, 1861; deserted at Little 
York, Mo., July 27, 1861. 

Jacob Heiter, mustered as private June 1, 1881; mustered out 
with regiment. 

Leopold Hipp, mustered as private June 1, 1861, and mustered 
out with regiment. 

William Ridler, mustered as private June 1, 1861, and mustered 
out with regiment. 

John Rebels, mustered as private June 1, 1861; discharged for 
disability March 18, 1862, caused by a wound received iu battle of 
Wilson's Creek, Mo. 

Adam Reinochl, mustered with the regiment; died October 21, 
1861, of wounds received in battle of Wilson's Creek. 



:T^ 



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282 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



John Roeser, mustered with regiment; drowned in Missouri Eiver 
June 7, 1862. 

Gustave Sels, mustered with regiment; discharged for disability 
March 1, 1862, at Lawrence, Kas. 

Joseph Muenzenmayer, mustered June 16, 1S61, into Company I; 
discharged for disability December 24, 1861, on account of wounds 
received in battle of Wilson's Creek. 

Hugh Gibbons, mustered February 27, 1862, into Company B; 
mustered out February 17, 1865. 

Jacob Arnold, mustered March 29, 1864, into new Company D; 
mustered out August 30, 1865, at Little Rock, Ai-k. 

Frederick W. Smith, re-enlisted and mustered into new Company 
D January 5, 1864; promoted corporal July 1, 1864; mustered out 
August 30, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark. 

The Second Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry was raised in 
May, 1861, and was mustered into the United States service on the 
20th of June following. According to the adjiitant-general's report, 
Wyandotte did not contribute more than one or two men to form this 
regiment. Robert B. Mitchell was its colonel. After the battle of 
Wilson's Creek this regiment fell back with the army to Eolla 
and to St. Louis, and from the latter place it returned to Kansas, 
wher^ it was mustered out October 31, 1861, for the purpose of re- 
organizing as a cavalry regiment. The rendezvous for the reorganiza- 
tion was at Fort Leavenworth. New companies were organized, which 
together with four companies of Nugent' s regiment of Missouri Home 
Guards, were organized into a new regiment known as the Twelfth 
Kansas Volunteers. In March following, the name was changed to 
that of " The Second Regiment Kansas Volunteers — Cavalry." The 
field and staff officers under the new organization were as follows: 
Colonel, Robert B. Mitchell, of Mansfield; lieutenant-colonel, Owen A. 
Bassett, of Lawrence; majors, Charles W. Blair, of Fort Scott, Julius G. 
Fisk, of Quindaro, and Thomas B. Eldridge, of Wyandotte; adjutant, 
John Pratt, of Lawrence; quartermaster, Cyrus L. Gorton, of Leaven- 
worth; surgeon, Joseph P. Root, of Wyandotte; asstistant surgeon, 
George B. Wood, of Wj'andotte; chaplain, Charles Rej-nolds, of Fort 
Riley. A portion of the men composing this regiment were contrib- 
uted by Wyandotte County, and a roster of their names will follow a 
brief historical sketch. Hollister's Battery, a force of 150 non-com- 
missioned officers and privates, was formed from this regiment, and 
with their six ten-pound Parrott guns, did excellent service on many 
occasions. 



TI^ 



_9 j>» 




Entering the field, the regiment chased and routed several Southern 
raiding parties, and on October 4, it was sent to Newtonia to re- 
enforce Brig. -Gen. Solomon. Afterward, on October 20, 1862, it 
did good service at Pea Ridge, or Elkhorn, in Arkansas. A Confeder- 
ate battery, consisting of four guns, was captured by this regiment. 
It was manned and was thereafter known as Hopkins' Battery, and 
continued to act with the regiment. In November, following, the 
Second Kansas moved with the army of Gen. Curtis toward Fort 
Smith, Ark., and participated in the action near Rhea's Mills on the 
7th, and in the action near Boonesboro on the 28th of November. 
Again on the 6th and 7th of December, following, it was engaged in 
the action on Cove Creek, near Fayetteville, Ark. , in all of which the 
Union forces were successful. 

It also bore a prominent part in the expedition which, on August 
23, 1863, crossed tlie Arkansas River to Holly Springs, in the In- 
dian Territory, and afterward captured Fort Smith, in Arkansas, and 
drove the enemy from the northwestern part of that State. During 
the winter of 1863-64 this regiment did effective service in Arkansas, 
capturing a goodly number of prisoners. During the spring and sum- 
mer of 1 864 it served under Gen. Steele in Southern Arkansas, and did 
muc h effective work. It continued to serve in that State and the In- 
dian Territory until its final muster out. It received many recruits in 
Arkansas after helping to drive the armed enemy out. It did very 
effective service, and its history in detail would make a very readable 
book. Some of its men having served their full time were mustered 
out in April, 1865, at Little Rock; others were mustered out June 22, 
1865, at Fort Gibson, Indian Ty. ; others were mustered out at 
Leavenworth, Kas., at different times; still others were mustered 
out on different dates at several other places; the greater number of 
the regiment, however, were mustered out at Leavenworth. 

Roster of officers and enlisted men from Wyandotte Count}', in the 
Second Regiment: 

Joseph P. Root, surgeon, mustered December 28, 1861; mustered 
out April 18, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark. 

George B. Wood, assistant surgeon, mustered January 1, 1862; 
resigned on account of ill health, September 27, 1863. 

Ivan D. Heath, mustered August 13, 1863; mustered out June 22, 
1865, at Fort Gibson, C. N. 

Joseph Sanger, mustered October 29, 1861, as corporal of Company 
F; transferred March 1, 1862, to Company H; promoted sergeant 



^ 6 r- — ^ a ly 






284 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



September 1, 1864; mustered out March 18, 1865, at Little Rock, 
Ark. 

Wendelin Krumm, mustered November 28, 1861, as private, Com- 
pany F; transferred to Company H, January 12, 1862; mustered out 
March 18, 1865, at Little Eock. Ark. 

John Myers, mustered November 28, 1861, as private. Company F; 
transferred to Company H, January 12, 1862; mustered out March 
18, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark. 

Englehardt Noll, mustered November 7, 1861, as private, Company 
F; transferred to Company H, January 12, 1862; mustered out March 
18, 1865, at Little Eock, Ark. 

William T. Ainsworth, mustered December 2, 1861, as private. 
Company G; promoted corporal May 1. 1864; mustered out August 
11, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas. ; was prisoner of war, captured near 
Fort Gibson, C. N., September 16, 1864. 

Wesley Boyles, mustered December 10, 1861, as private, Company 
G; mustered out January 13, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Squire Boyles, mustered December 11, 1861, as private, Company 
G; discharged for disability, August 10, 1864, at Kansas City, Mo. 

Elias Boyles, mustered January 7, 1862, as private. Company G; 
deserted May 26, 1862, while on detached service. 

James Boyles, mustered January 7, 1862, as private, Company G; 
discharged for disability June 19, 1862, at Fort Eiley, Kas. 

Pembrook Harris, mustered November 13, 1861, as private. Com- 
pany G; transferred to Company K. April 5, 1862; discharged for 
disability October 14, 1862, in the field in Missouri. 

Dionysius Harris, mustered November 13, 1861, as private. Com- 
pany G; transferred to Company K, April 5, 1862; deserted at Shaw- 
nee, Kas., May 1, 1862. 

John M. Eusk, mustered November 2, 1861, as private. Company 
G; deserted at Quindaro, Kas., February 2, 1862. 

Jacob Hammelman, enlisted March 20, 1862, Company G; trans- 
ferred to Company H, April 5, 1862; deserted at Leavenworth, Kas., 
May 26, 1862. 

Theodore Praun, mustered January 3, 1862, as private, Company 
H; promoted corporal March 8, 1862; mustered out May 9, 1865, at 
Leavenworth, Kas. 

Augustus Luke, mustered November 7, 1861, as private, Company 
H; mustered out March 18, 1865, at Little Eock, Ark. 

Joseph Praun, niustered January 3, 1862, as private. Company H; 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 285 



mustered out February 11, 1865, from general hospital at Little 
Rock, Ark. 

John Burke, mustered December 7, 1861, as private. Company I; 
promoted corporal June 26, 1862; promoted sergeant September 11. 
1862; mustered out January 10, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Michael McLain, mustered November 30, 1861, as private, Com- 
pany K; mustered out January 2, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

The organization of the Fifth Regiment Kansas Volunteer 
Cavalry was commenced in July, 1861, Companies A, D, E and F be- 
ing mustered into service in that month. Companies B and C were 
mustered into service in August, and other companies of the regiment, 
up to and including K, were mu.stered in during the following fall 
and winter. Companies L and M were not mustered until 1863. 
The original field and staff officers were: Colonel, Hampton P. Johnson, 
of Leavenworth; lieutenant-colonel, John Ritchie, of Topeka; major, 
James Summers; adjutant, Stephen R. Harrington; quai'termaster, 
James Davis, of Leavenworth; surgeon, E. B. Johnson, of Leaven- 
worth; and chaplain, Hugh D. Fisher, of Lawrence. A small portion 
of the men comprising this regiment were from Wyandotte County, 
a roster of whom follows this sketch. Two companies of the Fifth 
Kansas left Leavenworth in July, 1861, and moved to Kansas City. 
Their first engagement was at Harrisonville, Mo., where the enemy 
was driven from the town. The regiment participated in the fight 
at Dry wood September 2, and in the action at Morristown on the ITth, 
where Col. Johnson was killed. It went into winter quarters at Camp 
Denver, and in February, 1862, Lieut. Col. Powell Clayton became its 
colonel, and assumed command. The regiment was then thoroughly 
drilled and made useful. On March 19th, following, it made 
vahiable captures at Carthage, Mo. , cajituring a company of guerrillas 
then and there forming. Afterward the regiment entered Arkansas, and 
in the summer following it routed an Arkansas regiment of cavalry from 
the town of Salem, in that State, and a large force of Texas rangers on 
Black River, near Jacksonport. The detachment winning these victories 
was under command of Capt. Criets. Afterward at the battle of 
Helena the regiment won distinction, and rendered valuable service 
under Gen. Steele in the capture of Little Rock, Ark. On October 
25, 1863, the Fifth Kansas had a hard fight with a Confederate force 
much superior in numbers, and lost thirty-seven men, but held its 
position, the loss of the enemy being greater. Following this the 
regiment did much service in Southern Arkansas and elsewhere in the 



rf^ 



'-£. 



286 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



State. It was with Gen. Steele at Mark's Mills, when the enemy 
captured his baggage train and a few of his men. On September 
17th there was a hard fight at Warren Cross Roads, and part 
of the Union forces were scattered, but the Fifth Kansas, First Indi- 
ana and Seventh Missouri repelled the enemy and saved the artillery 
from capture. The remainder of the service of the regiment was of 
less note. The men of the regiment were mustered out at various 
times and places, when they had finished their term of service, and 
the re-enlisted veterans were mustered out June 22, 1865, at De- 
vall's BlufP, Ark. 

Roster of olficers and enlisted men from Wyandotte County in the 
Fifth Regiment: 

Alfred Gray, mustered April 19, 1861, as quartermaster; resigned 
on account of disability March 24, 1864; was on detached service with 
Gen. Vandever from June 30, 1863, to date of discharge. 

Lenneas H. Bancroft, mustered April 22, 1863, as private. Com- 
pany L; transferred to new Company B, Fifteenth Kansas Volunteer 
Cavalry, July 20, 1865. 

Harrison Love, mustered April 22, 1863, as private, Company L; 
deserted, 1864. 

Four Miles, mustered May 12, 1863, as private, Company L; de- 
serted at Lawi'ence, Kas., July 20, 1865. 

Moses Denna, mustered May 12, 1863, as private, Company L; 
transferred to new Company B, Fifteenth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, 
July 20, 1865. 

Richardson HiU, mustered April 29, 1863, as private, Company L; 
deserted. 

Simon Hill, mustered April 29, 1863, as private. Company L; no 
further record on file. 

John Moonshine, mustered March 12, 1803, as private, Company 
L; deserted at Lawrence, Kas., in July, 1865. 

Little Shanghai, mustered May 12, 1863, as private. Company L; 
deserted at Lawrence, Kas., July 19, 1865. 

Thompson Smith, mustered May 29, 1863, as private. Company L ; 
transferred to new Company B, Fifteenth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, 
July 20, 1865. 

Christian Snake, mustered May 29, 1863, as private, Company L ; 
deserted at Lawrence, Kas., July 19, 1865. 

James Thomas, mustered April 29, 1863, as private, Company L; 
deserted in 1865. 



^ ®_ 



,^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



287 



i 



George Williams, mustered April 29, 1863, as private, Company 
L; deserted in 1865. 

James Wilson, mustered April 29, 1863, as private. Company L; 
transferred to new Company B, Fifteenth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, 
July 20, 1865. 

William H. Jones, mustered June 25, 1863, as corporal. Company 
M; transferred to new Company B, Fifteenth Kansas Volunteer Cav- 
alry, July 20, 1865. 

Tally Beverly, mustered June 25, 1863, as corporal, Company M; 
transferred to new Company B, Fifteenth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, 
Jidy 20, 1865. 

Riley Alley, mustered June 25, 1863, as private. Company M; 
discharged per order W. D., May 29, 1865. 

Rusha Chaploy, mustered June 25, 1863, as private. Company M; 
transferred to new Company B, Fifteenth Kansas Vohinteer Cavalry, 
July 20, 1865. 

Zachariah Longhouse, m\istered August 9, 1863, as private, Com- 
pany M; transferred to new Company B, Fifteenth Kansas Volunteer 
Cavalry, July 20, 1865. 

Philip Mature, mustered August 9, 1863, as private, Company M; 
transferred to new Company B, Fifteenth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, 
July 20, 1865. 

Thomas Punch, mustered October 23, 1863, as private. Company 
M; transferred to new Company B. Fifteenth Kansas Volunteer Cav- 
alry, July 20, 1865. 

The Sixth Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry was organized in 
July, 1861, for the defense of the southern frontier of the State. 
The original Held and staff officers were: Colonel, William R. Judson; 
lieutenant-colonel, Lewis R. Jewell; major, William T. Campbell; 
adjutant, Charles O. Judson; quartermaster, George J. Clarke; sur- 
geon, John S. Redfield; assistant surgeon, Joseph R. Smith, all of 
Fort Scott. Garrison duty and scouting was the first work of the 
regiment. The battle of Drywood was commenced by a company of 
this command. In the spring of 1862 the regiment was reorganized 
and made more effective. It then gave attention to guerrillas and 
bushwhackers, and succeeded in breaking up some small companies 
of guerrillas under the notorious Quantrell and others; it also broke 
up not less than eight camps of bushwhackers, killing and wounding 
a large number, without suffering much loss. In June. 1862, the 
Sixth won distinction in the fight of Cowskin Prairie, and on July 4, 






4> 



288 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



following, it chased the retreating forces of Confederates, when 
Col. Clarkson and a number of his men were captured. On that day 
two companies of the regiment routed the enemy at Stanwattie's Mills 
and captured a large amount of provisions. The same month a de- 
tachment of the regiment captured the Cherokee chief, John Ross, 
who was lighting for the South. In August the Sixth accompanied a 
command toward the Missouri River in pursuit of the noted Gen. 
Cooper and his command. The latter was overtaken and defeated at 
the Osage River. Scouting and skirmishing were successfully con- 
tinued by the Sixth until September 30, when it participated at the 
battle of Newtonia and covered the retirement of the Union forces. 
It then assisted in the several actions which resulted in driving the 
enemy across the Boston Mountains. 

The Sixth was at the battle of Prairie Grove, in Washington 
County, Ark., which took place on December 7, 1862, and afterward 
assisted in capturing Van Buren, Fort Gibson and Fort Davis, and 
then returned to Missouri for winter quarters. Recruiting was car- 
ried on to some extent during the early winter and the spring of 1863. 
The Sixth took part in the fight and capture of Holly Springs, July 
17, 1863, and then performed scouting service until it joined Steele's 
army and took part in the Camden expedition, being in the skirmish 
at Prairie de Anne on April 10, following, and the fight at Cabin 
Creek on September 19, 1864. It participated in many small engage- 
ments and continued active until hostilities ceased. The men were 
mustered out at various places and dates, the last of the veterans 
being mustered out July 18, 1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

Roster of officers and enlisted men from Wyandotte County, in the 
Sixth Regiment: 

John A. Johnson, mustered July 21, 1861, as second lieutenant, 
Company A; promoted first lieutenant September 1, 1862; promoted 
captain December 1, 1862; promoted major July 1, 1863; mustered 
out March 18, 1865, at Devall's BlufP, Ark. 

Jacob H. Bartles, mustered July 21, 1861, as quartermaster-ser- 
geant of the regiment; mustered out November 28, 186-1, at Leaven- 
worth, Kas. 

Victor Leivaux, mustered August 4, 1861, as veterinary surgeon; 
discharged October 26, 1862. 

Thomas Crooks, mustered July 21, 1861, as first sergeant, Company 
A; promoted second lieutenant February 1, 1863; promoted captain 
September], 1863; mustered out March 27, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas. 



IN" 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



289 



Matthew Clary, mustered July '21. 1861, as first lieutenant, Com- 
pany A; resigned September 1, 1862. 

Thomas J. Darling, mustered February 1, 1863, as first lieutenant; 
discharged on account of physical disability, March 19, 1864. 

John F. Smith, mustered July 21, 1861, as sergeant, Company A; 
promoted May 1, 1863, quartermaster-sergeant; promoted first lieuten- 
ant Company E. Fifteenth Regiment Kansas Cavalry, December 10, 
1863. 

William H. Wren, mustered July 21, 1801, as sergeant. Company 
A; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, October 11, 1863. 

Joseph E. Powell, mustered July 21, 1861, as private. Company A; 
promoted corporal December 31, 1861; promoted sergeant May 9, 
1863; discharged January 23, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas., on ac- 
count of wounds received near Dardanelle, Ark., May 10, 1804, caus- 
ing leg to be amputated. 

Granville P. Freeman, mustered July 21, 1801, as corporal of 
Company A; promoted sergeant May 1, 1863; died May 11, 1864, at 
Dardanelle, Ark., of wounds received in action near that place May 
10, 1864. 

George A. Carlton, mustered August 14, 1861, as corporal Company 
A; promoted sergeant May 9, 1863; mustered out November 14, 1864, 
at Fort Leavenworth, Kas. 

James H. Cadell, mustered August 12, 1861, as corporal Company 
A; promoted sergeant June 1, 1863; mustered out November 15, 1864i 
at Fort Leavenworth, Kas. 

Benjamin F. Reck, mustered August 1, 1801, as private Company 
A; promoted corporal October 7, 1863; promoted sergeant October 1, 
1804; mustered out November 15, 1804, at Fort Leavenworth. Kas. 

Jacob J. Kleinkncht, mustered July 21, 1861, as private Company 
A; promoted corporal July 21, 1801; deserted October 24, 1861, at 
Osceola, Mo. 

Benjamin T. J. Bennett, mustered July 21. 1801, as corporal Com- 
pany A: deserted November 1, 1801, at Kansas City, Mo. 

Robert W. Robitaille, mustered July 21, 1861, as corporal Company 
A; reduced to ranks August 17, 1864; mustered out November 15, 1864, 
at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Henry W. Freeman, miistered September 1, 1862. as corporal 
Company A; afterward reduced to ranks; promoted corporal March 1, 
1864; assigned to new Company A, April 8, 1865; mustered out June 
23, 1865, at DevalFs Bluff, Ark. 



-.^ 



4.^ 



290 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Benjamin W. Hurd, mustered July 21, 1861, as corporal Company 
A; reduced to ranks February 26, 1863: assigned to new Company A 
April 8, 1865; mustered out July 18, 1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

John H. Cotter, mustered July 21, 1861, as corporal Company A; 
killed by guerrillas August 20, 1864, near Fort Smith, Ark. 

Wallace Higgins, mustered August 3, 1863, as bugler. Company A; 
assigned to new Company A, April 8, 1865; mustered out July 18, 
1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

The following were all original jjrivates of Company A: 

Joseph K. Donnelly, mustered July 21, 1861; re-enlisted veteran 
assigned to new Company A, April 8, 1865; mustered out July 18, 
1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

John Duncan, mustered July 21, 1861; mustered out November 15, 
1861, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Jacob Dick, mustered July 21, 1861; mustered out November 15, 
1864, at Leavenworth. 

James Hicks, mustered July 21, 1861 ; assigned to new Company 
A, April 8, 1865, for muster out; prisoner of war. 

Southerland IngersoU, mustered July 21, 1861; discharged Octo- 
ber 10, 1861, at Kansas City, Mo. 

Timothy S. Lucas, mustered July 21, 1861; mustered out Novem- 
ber 15, 1864, at Leavenworth. 

Benjamin F. Russell, mustered July 21, 1861; re-enlisted veteran; 
assigned to new Company A, April 8, 1865; mustered out August 14, 

1864, at Leavenworth. 

James E. Bishop, enlisted April 1, 1863; mustered August 3, 
1863; assigned to new Company A, April 8, 1865; mustered out July 
18, 1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

James W. Duncan, mustered October 28, 1861; re-enlisted veteran; 
assigned to new Company A, April 8, 1865; promoted bugler; mus- 
tered out July 18, 1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

Theodore Grindle, mustered August 4, 1861; mustered out Novem- 
ber 15, 1864, at Leavenworth. 

Silas Greyeyes, mustered October 7, 1861; mustered out Novem- 
ber 15, 1864, at Leavenworth. 

Thomas F. Heisler, mustered August 18, 1861; promoted quarter- 
master-sergeant January 1, 1864. 

Charles E. Hanford, mustered March 1, 1862; re enlisted veteran; 
assigned to new Company A, April 8, 1864; mustered out July 18, 

1865, at Devall's Bluff', Ark. 



i> \ 



m^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 291 



Joseph Hanfovd, mustered February 1, 1862; re-enlisted veteran; 
assigned to new Company A, April 8, 18fi5; mustered out July 18, 
1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

Peter White, mustered March 5. 18l)4; assigned to new Company 
A, April 8, 1865; mustered out July 18, 1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

John W. "Whitham, mustered August 12, 1861, as a private in 
Company B; re- enlisted veteran; assigned to Company M, April 8, 
1865, mustered out July 18, 1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

Officers and enlisted men of Company G, Sixth Kansas Volunteer 
Cavalry : 

Nathaniel B. Lucas, mustered February 4, 1862, as captain; trans- 
ferred, as captain, to Eighteenth United States Colored Volunteers 
April 6, 1864. 

Ebenezer W. Lucas, mustered October 10, 1861, as private; pro- 
moted corporal January 1, 1862; promoted sergeant May 2, 1862; 
promoted first sergeant September 1, 1862; promoted second lieuten- 
ant January 1, 1864; promoted first lieutenant March 15, 1865; 
mustered out May 19, 1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

Daniel Brayman, mustered December 10, 1861, as private; pro- 
moted corporal May 1, 1862; promoted sergeant September 15, 1862 ; 
promoted second lieutenant and assigned to duty as such, but was 
never mustered; mustered out November 15, 1864, at Leavenworth, 
Kas. 

Samuel J. Martin, mustered December 18, 1861, as private; pro- 
moted corporal September 1, 1862; promoted sergeant September 
15, 1862; wounded in action March 18, 1864, near Roseville, Ark., 
through right thigh, limb amputated; sent to hospital at St. Louis; 
no evidence of muster out on file. 

Beverly Lancaster, mustered December 10, 1861, as private; pro- 
moted corporal May 28, 1864; mustered out November 15, 1864, at 
Leavenworth, Kas. 

Allen T. Wright, mustered January 18, 1863, as farrier; reduced 
to ranks; mustered out July 18, 1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

Thomas S. Karnes, mustered December 10, 1861, as private; dis- 
charged for disability January 21, 1864, at Fort Smith, Ark., on 
account of wounds received in action at Backbone Mountain, Ark. 

Frederick Dodd, mustered May 26, 1863; deserted at Fort Scott, 
Kas., September 7, 1863. 

Jacob High, mustered May 26, 1863, as private. Company I; mus- 
tered out with regiment. 



4 



9 v?> 



292 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



George A. Coray, mustered May 26, 1863, as private of Company 
I; promoted corporal May 26, 1863; mustered out July 18. 1865, at 
Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

James Peacock, mustered May 26, 1863, as private. Company I; no 
evidence of muster out on file. 

David N. Rogers, mustered May 26, 1863, as private. Company I; 
discharged for disability January 20, 1864, at Fort Smith, Ark. 

Raif Steele, mustered May 26, 1863, as private, Company I; mus- 
tered out July 18, 1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

Roster of officers and enlisted men of Company M, Sixth Regi- 
ment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry: 

Lemuel P. Ketchum, mustered July 23, 1863, as commissary ser- 
geant; discharged for disability November 13, 1863, at Kansas City, Mo. 

Josiah Wonsetter, mustered as private November 5, 1863; pro- 
moted sergeant July 23,1863; promoted commissary sergeant May 15, 
1865; mustered out July 18, 1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

William R. Ketchum, mustered July 23. 1863, as sergeant; mus- 
tered out with regiment. 

Tillman A. H. Alsup, mustered July 23, 1863, as private; promoted 
corporal December 1, 1863; mustered out with regiment. 

Jackson Bullett, mustered July 23, 1863, as private; died of con- 
sumption May 3, 1864, at Fort Scott, Kas. 

George Cummings, mustered July 23, 1863, as private; deserted 
from Fort Scott, Kas., November 16, 1864. 

George Evans, mustered July 23, 1863, as private; died of con- 
sumption at Fort Scott, Kas., March 18, 1864. 

John File, mustered with regiment; discharged for disability May 
13, 1865. 

John Johnnycake, mustered with regiment; deserted at Fort Scott, 
Kas., November 16, 1864. 

Benjamin Johnnycake, mustered with regiment; no evidence of 
muster out on file. 

Jacob Lenneas, mustered with regiment; no evidence of muster 
out on file. 

Solomon Love, mustered with regiment as private: promoted cor- 
poral August 1, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 

Yellow Leaf, mustered with regiment; no evidence of muster out 
on file. 

William P. and William X. Pedigo, mustered August 18, 1863, as 
privates in new Company A; mustered out with regiment. 



^^ 



Joseph Thorp, mustered August 3, 1863, as private in new Com- 
pany A; mustered out June 20, 1885, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

Alvatus Williams, mustered September 10, 1862; mustered out 
June 23, 1865, at Devall's Bluff, Ark. 

The Tenth Regiment Kansas Volunteer Infantry was formed in 
July, 1861. The original field and staff officers were: Colonel, James 
Montgomery, of Mound City; lieutenant-colonel, James G. Blunt, of 
Mount Gilead; major, Otis B. Gunn; adjutant, Casinio B. Zulaosky, 
of Boston, Mass.; quartermaster, A. Larzalere; surgeon, Albert New- 
man, and chaplain, H. H. Moore. Col. Montgomery was transferred 
to the Second Regiment South Carolina Colored Volunteers, and Will- 
iam Weer, of Wyandotte, became colonel of the Tenth. The regiment 
was 800 strong. After performing many minor services, the regiment 
took part in the expedition against Col. Clarkson, on July 3, 1862, 
which re.sulted in the capture of this officer and 155 of his men, 
besides the killing and wounding of about seventy of the enemy. The 
Tenth was repeatedly opposed to the officers Coffey and Cockrell, 
and it assisted in the pursuit of the Confederates in their retreat from 
Newtonia. In the fall of 1862 the regiment participated in the campaign 
in Northwest Arkansas, and was lightly engaged in action near Benton- 
ville on October 20, and did full service in the actions at Cane Hill 
and Prairie Grove, losing in the latter engagement twenty-three per 
cent of its men. 

The Tenth moved out of camp on December 27, 1862, to strike 
Hindman at Van Buren, and put an end to his army. * * * Marma- 
duke next invited the attention of the Tenth, with a force of 6,000 
cavalry, advancing to Springfield. Mo. The regiment made a forced 
march to Springfield in conjunction with a brigade of cavalry in very 
severe weather, making thirty-five miles a day, and by their advance 
forced Marmaduke to retreat. The brigade followed Marmaduke and 
routed him at Sand Spring, thirty miles beyond Springfield, and that 
general in his hurried retreat fell into the hands of Gen. Warren, who 
completed his discomfiture. The campaign of 1862 finished in a 
manner very honorable for the Tenth. The regiment was mustered 
out of service in August, 1864, but immediately reorganized as veter- 
ans. The Tenth served against Hood in Tennessee at Columbia. 
Franklin, Nashville, and in pursuit of the routed foe winning dis- 
tinction, always being assigned to the skirmish line on every impor- 
tant occasion, and their losses abundantly testify to their courage and 
endurance. The regiment was dispatched to Fort Gaines, Ala., on 



371^ 



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.1 



294 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



March 7, 1865, and operated in that line of country until a junction 
was effected with Gen. Steele, and the works of the enemy at Fort 
Blakely captured. The Tenth was named in the reports officially 
made in a manner exceedingly gratifying to the State. The final 
muster out occurred on September 20, 1865, at Fort Leavenworth. 
[Tuttle's State History.] 

Eoster of officers and enlisted men of the Tenth Regiment from 
Wyandotte County: 

William Weir, mustered June 20, 1861, as colonel; dismissed 
from the service by General Order No. 123, dated, Headquarters De- 
partment of Missouri, St. Louis, August 20, 1864. 

John J. Launon, mustered July 12, 1861, as private of Company 
G; promoted sergeant March 4, 1862; promoted sergeant-major, 
February 22, 1864; mustered out August 1, 1865, at Montgomery, 
Ala. 

David Ernhout, enlisted April 14, 1862, as private in Company 
A; died of disease at Marmaton, Kas., May 15, 1862. 

George Tremblett, enlisted as a private in Company A, December 
23, 1861; deserted at Wyandotte, Kas., January 20, 1862. 

George G. Woddle, mustered February 15, 1862, as a private in 
Company A; transferred to Invalid Corps, January 18, 1863. 

Charles E. Armour, mustered May 28, 1862, as private in Company 
C; died of chronic diarrhoea, April 12, 1863, at Eolla, Mo. 

The following all belonged to Company G: 

James H. Harris, mustered July 15, 1861, as captain; mustered 
out March 4, 1862, and re-mustered as first lieutenant; mustered out 
with regiment August 19, 1864. 

William C. Harris, mustered as first lieutenant; mustered out 
March 4, 1862. 

Mortimer C. Harris, mustered August 10, 1861, as corporal; re- 
duced to ranks in July, 1863: re-enlisted veteran. 

Benjamin F. Saylor, mustered August 10, 1863, as private; pro- 
moted coi'poral October, 1861 ; discharged for disability A~iigust 31, 
1862. 

Thomas Lannan, mustered August 10, 1861, as corporal; mustered 
out with regiment. 

Richard C. Powell, mustered August 10, 1861, as private; pro- 
moted corporal September 9, 1863; re-enlisted veteran February 22, 
1864; assigned to new Company B as private; died on board steamer 
Heuntsman, August 30, 1865. 



^ 



,k 




Anderson W. Nicholas, mustered August 10, 1861, as private; 
promoted November 6, 1861, to corporal; dropped from roll August 5, 
1862, per General Order No. 18, Department of Kansas. 

George B. Reinecheueker, enlisted June 19, 1862; mustered May 
19, 1863; promoted musician and assigned to new Company C; mus- 
tered out June 2, 1865. 

Andrew Franz, mustered July 12, 1861; deserted at Wyandotte, 
Kas.. March 17, 1862. 

Charles C. Johnson, mustered July 12, 1861; mustered out with 
regiment, August 18, 1864:. 

Charles Klinefogle, mustered July 12, 1861; died of disease at 
Alton. 111., March 10, 1864. 

William Molton, mustered July 12, 1861; died of disease at Fay- 
etteville. Ark.. Januarj' 12, 1863. 

Samuel P. Parsons, mustered August 7, 1861; died of pneumonia, 
February 26, 1862, at Wyandotte, Kas. 

James A. Rich, mustered August 7, 1863; re-enlisted veteran, as- 
signed to new Company B; mustered out with regiment August 30, 
1864. 

Thomas H. Tracy mustered August 7, 1861; mustered out August 
19, 1864. 

James Galvin, mustered August 10, 1861; re-enlisted veteran; as- 
signed to new Company B ; mustered out with regiment. 

John Tracy, mustered August 10, 1861; mustered out with regi- 
ment. 

The Twelfth Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry was organ- 
ized at Paola in September and October, 1862. The original staff 
officers were: Colonel, Charles W. Adams, of Lawrence; major, Thomas 
H. Kennedy, of Lawrence; adjutant, Charles J.Lovejoj-. Ellinwood; 
quartermaster, Andi-ew J. Shannon, of Paola; surgeon, Cyrus R. 
Stockslager, of Pennsylvania; chaplain, Werter R. Davis, of Bald- 
win City. In the spring of 1863 the regiment moved to Fort Leaven- 
worth, Kas., and the following fall it went to Fort Smith, Ark., and 
from thence, in the spring of 1864, it participated in the Camden 
expedition, being at Camden about ten days, and then fell back to 
Little Rock, Ark., with Steele's army. It was in the fight at Prairie 
de Anne, and on April 30 it bravely repulsed the enemy's ad- 
vance at Jenkins' Ferry, which enabled the army safely to cross the 
Saline River, and make a safe retreat back to Little Rock. After stay- 
ing a few days at Little Rock, the regiment went back to Fort Smith, 






where it remained until fall, then returned to Little Rock, where it 
spent the winter. It was mustered out June 30, 1865. 

Roster of officers and enlisted men from AVyandotte County in 
the Twelfth Regiment: 

William Sellers, mustered March 1^6, 1864, as chaplain: resigned 
April 13, 1865. 

Gnstave Tauber, mustered with regiment; promoted corporal July 
4, 1863; promoted commissary sergeant; reduced to ranks at his 
own request and assigned to Company A, March 6, 1865; mustered 
out with regiment June 30, 1865. 

Thomas H. Gahagan, mustered September 25, 1862, as musician; 
mustered out at Leavenworth, Kas., July 15, 1865. 

William Hazlett, mustered October 24, 1863, as a musician; re- 
duced toianks and assigned to Company K, August 17, 1864; dis- 
charged for disability January 3, 1865, at Leavenworth. 

George W. Newell, mustered September 23, 1863, as a musician; 
reduced to ranks at his own request and assigned to Company K, May 
24, 1864; died of diarrhoea at Little Rock, Ark., October. 15, 1864. 

Company A. — James D. Chesnut, mustered September 25, 1862, 
as captain; mustered out with regiment. 

Fletcher Hedding, mustered September 25, 1862, as sergeant; died 
of disease at Westport, Mo., March 6, 1863. 

James Summerville, mustered September 25, 1862, as corporal; 
promoted sergeant September 2, 1863; mustered out with regiment. 

Samuel M. Stevens, mustered September 25, 1862, as sergeant; 
reduced to ranks March 24, 1863; mustered out with regiment. 

Rufus W. Foster, mustered September 25, 1862, as corporal; dis- 
charged for disability June 30, 1863. at Leavenworth, Kas. 

William Sellers, mustered September 25, 1862, as corporal; pro- 
moted chaplain March 26, 1864. 

James P. Killen, mustered September 25, 1862. as corporal; mus- 
tered out with regiment. 

Privates. — Silas Adams, mustered September 25, 1862; promoted 
corporal October 5, 1862; died of disease April 16, 1863. 

Isaac Bigtree, mustered with regiment and mustered out with reg- 
iment. 

Christian F. Bowan, mustered with regiment; deserted at AVest- 
port October 26, 1862. 

William C. Blue, mustered with regiment; deserted at Leaven- 
worth, Kas., July 9, 1863. 



^^ 



.[^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 297 



■Chad. Brostwick, mustered with regiment; deserted at Wyandotte, 
Kas., September 29, 1863. 

Louis Bigknife, mustered with regiment; discharged for disability 
August 2, 1863, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Orlando S. Bartlett, mustered with regiment; promoted first lieu- 
tenant Company H, Second Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry No- 
vember 3, 1863; promoted captain November 10, 1864; mustered out 
October 9, 1865. 

Jacob Carhead, mustered in and out with the regiment. 

Joseph Charloe, mustered in with regiment; deserted at Fort Smith, 
Ark., December 31, 1863. 

Cornelius H. Croeden, mustered in with regiment; discharged for 
disability May 27, 1865, at Kansas City. Mo. 

Sebastian O. Douny, mustered with regiment; deserted at Wyan- 
dotte, Kas., September 29, 1863. 

Peter Donnika, mustered with regiment: discharged for disability 
March 18, 1864, at Fort Smith, Ark. 

Charles Edwards, mustered in and out with regiment. 

Conrad Grespacher, mustered in and out with regiment. 

Jeremiah Harrison, mustered in and out with regiment. 

Edward Hollevet, mustered with regiment; deserted at Westport, 
Mo., October 26, 1862. 

George A. Horning, mustered with regiment; discharged for dis- 
ability March 18, 1863, at Kansas City, Mo. 

William Johnson, mustered with regiment; deserted at Kansas City, 
Mo., January, 1864. 

Aust. Kroop, mustered with regiment; discharged for disability 
May 31, 1868, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Thomas A. Kirk, mustered with regiment; discharged for disabil- 
ity April 21, 18<)5, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

William Lewis and Samuel MeCowan, mustered in and out with 
regiment. 

Elias B. Myers, mustered in with regiment; died of disease at Leav- 
enworth, Kas.. April 29, 1863. 

James Mature, mustered with regiment; deserted at Wyandotte, 
Kas., September 29, 1863. 

John McCain, mustered with regiment; discharged for disability 
February 27, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Almond Noble, Smith Nicholas and William Nicholas, all mustered 
in and out with regiment. 



r^ 



■1^ 




Edward O'Hcare, mustered with regiment; discharged for disability 
November 10, 1S64, at' Fort Smith, Ark. 

John N. Poe, mustered with regiment; promoted corporal March 
17, 1863; mustered out with regiment. 

. Gideon B. Parsons, mustered with regiment; died of disease at 
Wyandotte, Kas., September 23, 1863. 

Henry Puckett, mustered with regiment; died of disease Decem- 
ber 11, 1863, at Fort Scott, Kas. 

John Porcupine, mustered with regiment; deserted at Wyandotte, 
Kas., September 29, 1863. 

Joshua Puckett, mustered with regiment; discharged for disability 
May 11, 1863, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Thomas Payne, mustered with regiment; discharged January 28, 

1864, per Special Order No. 43. W. D. 

John A. Randall, mustered with regiment; died at Paola. Kas., 
December 5, 1S63. 

William Sellers, mustered with regiment; promoted corporal. 

Joseph Streatmater, mustered with regiment; died of disease 
March 1, 1864, at Fort Smith, Ark. 

Christian Santer, mustered with regiment; mustered out May 29, 

1865, at Little Rock, Ark. 

Rudolph Wilty, mustered with regiment; promoted corporal De- 
cember 4, 1863; mustered out with regiment. 

William Whitefeather, mustered with regiment; killed by guerril- 
las at Fort Smith, Ark., October 22, 1864. 

Jacolj Whitewing, mustered with regiment; died of disease at Fort 
Smith, Ark., June 17, 1864. 

Frank Whitewing, mustered with regiment; deserted October 26, 
1862. 

Sebastian Waller, mustered with regiment; discharged for disabil- 
ity November 15, 1863, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Lewis Wengartner, mustered with regiment; discharged for disa- 
bility September 9, 1864, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Patrick Whalen, mustered with regiment, transferred to Twenty-fifth 
Missouri Infantry November 19, 1862. 

William Armstrong, mustered November 7, 1863; mustered out 
July 3, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark. 

Orren Baldwin, mustered November 7, 1863; promoted eori^oral 
December 4, 1863; mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., July 30, 1865. 

Seth E. A. Leavitt, mustered in and out with regiment. 



r 



'1^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 299 



Peter Dailey, mustered November 7, 1863; mustered out May 29, 
1865, at Little Roek, Ark. 

William Day, mustered November 7, 1863; mustered out July 3, 
1865, at Little Rock, Ark. 

William Ellis, mustered December 30, 1863; mustered out July 3, 
1865, at Little Rock, Ark. 

William Hazlett, mustered October 24, 1863; discharged for dis- 
ability January 3, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

John P. Nickell, mustered December 30, 1803; mustered out May 
18, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Company G. — Edward Clinton, mustered with regiment; died of 
disease June 16, 1863, at Kansas City, Mo. 

John S. Heald, mustered with regiment; promoted corporal Oc- 
tober 1, 1862; promoted sergeant; mustered out with regiment. 

Henry Kersey, mustered in and out with regiment. 

John E. Marutzky, mustered with regiment; promoted corporal 
October 1, 1862; mustered out with regiment. 

John Murphy, mustered with regiment; discharged by sentence G. 
C. M. , July, 1863, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Michael Youngman, mustered with regiment; discharged for dis- 
ability April 10, 1863, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Company H. — David Chorlow, mustered in and out with regiment. 

Moses Dougherty, mustered with regiment; deserted March 4, 1864. 

Jesse Giaury, mustered with regiment; deserted December 9, 1862. 

Thomas Johnson, mustei'ed in with regiment; mustered out August 
6, 1865. 

Isaac Littlecliief, mustered with regiment, died of disease at 
Olathe, Kas. , November 20, 1862. 

David Matthews, mustered with regiment; deserted at Paola, Kas., 
December 9, 1862. 

Joseph Peacock, mustered with regiment; died of disease at Wy- 
andotte, November 20, 1863. 

John Rodgers, mustered in and out with regiment. 

William Walker, mustered with regiment; mustered out August 
6, 1865. 

Company I. — George Hanford, musician; mustered May 2, 1863; 
accidentally killed at Fort Smith, Ark., September 5, 1864. 

Frederick Britton, mustered in and out with regiment. 

Abraham Demerest, mustered in and out with regiment. 

William Johnson, mustered with regiment; died December, 1864, 



"©Pv 



^1 



300 



HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



at Magnolia, Ark., of wounds received April 30, 1864, at Jenkins' 
Ferry, Ark. 

William H. Lindsey, mustered with regiment; promoted second 
lieutenant October 15, 1862. 

Henry W. Miller, mustered with regiment; died of small-i^ox Jan- 
uary 1, 1863, at Wyandotte. 

William Parker, mustered with regiment; died of disease at Paola, 
Kas., October 20, 1862. 

James Smith, mustered with regiment; died of disease at Fort 
Smith, Ark., December 20, 1864. 

Henry (Chrysler, mustered May 2, 1863; promoted musician. 

Thomas Jacklin, mustered August 14, 1863; mustered out June 
30, 1865. 

The Fifteenth Kegiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry was raised 
mostly in September, 1863, its colonel being Charles R. Jennings, of 
Leavenworth, Kas. Tuttle's History of Kansas says: " The regiment 
was tilled in less than a month, and an extra company toward the 
Sixteenth also. Circumstances confined the regiment mainly to expi'- 
ditions against bushwhackers and marauders, but the duty was thor- 
oughly accomplished, although there are no brilliant services to be 
recorded. ' ' 

Roster of officers and enlisted men from this county in the Fif- 
teenth Regiment: 

Company E. — John T. Smith, mustered December 11, 1863, as 
first lieutenant; resigned May 30, 1865. 

William H. H. Grintev, mustered September 26, 1863, as first ser- 
geant; promoted first lieutenant October 10, 1865; mustered out with 
regiment October 10, 1805. 

John W. R. Lucas, mustered with company September 26, 1863, 
as quartermaster-sergeant; promoted first sergeant October 11, 1865; 
mustered out with regiment. 

Alexander Zane, mustered September 26, 1863, as sergeant; re- 
duced to ranks; mustered out with regiment. 

William H. Worrell, mustered with regiment as sergeant; mus- 
tered out with regiment. 

John Jordan, mustered with regiment as sergeant; reduced to 
ranks; deserted January, 1865. 

John Kanually, mustered corporal September 26, 1863; promoted 
sergeant; died January 31, 1865, at Kansas City, Mc, of wounds 
received in action October 23, 1864, at Westport, Mo. 



^-* 



IN^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 301 



Erasmus Riley, mustered with company; promoted sergeant Octo- 
ber 11, 1865. 

Dennis F. Lucas, mustered March 28, 18fi4, as sergeant; mus- 
tered out with regiment. 

John M. Thorp, mustered with company as corporal: mustered out 
with regiment. 

Adam Wilson, mustered with company as corporal ; discharged for 
disability September 26, 186-1. 

Carroll S. Evans, mustered with company as corporal; mastered 
out with regiment. 

William A. Long, mustered with company; promoted corporal; 
promoted sergeant October 11, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 

Timothy H. Carlton, mustered October 28, 1863, as corporal; mus- 
tered out with regiment. 

Eldridge H. Brown, mustered March 28, 1864, as corporal; mus- 
tered out with regiment. 

Josiah Thorp, mustered with company; promoted corporal ; mus- 
tered out August 26, 1865. 

David Thomas, miistered with company; promoted bugler; reduced 
to ranks; mustered out with regiment. 

Henry Runne. mustered October 28, 1863; promoted bugler Octo- 
ber 15, 1863; deserted at Fort Riley, Kas., June 27, 1865. 

John Hohensteiner, mustered with company; promoted bugler 
October 20, 1863; mustered out with regiment. 

Richard L. Worrell, mustered with company; promoted bugler; 
mustered out with regiment. 

Gilbert Lewis, mustered with company as wagoner; mustered out 
with regiment. 

James M. Long, mustered March 31, 1864, as saddler; mustered 
out with regiment. 

David N. Baker, mustered with company as farrier; mustered out 
with regiment. 

Henry J. Armstrong and Edward M. Alexander, both mustered in 
and out with regiment. 

William B. Bushman, mustered with company; discharged for dis- 
ability September 26, 1864, at Osage Mission, Kas. 

Dr. Block, mustered in and out with regiment. 

AVilliam Cheely, mustered in and out with regiment. 

William Driver, mustered with company; died of diarrhoea, at Hum- 
bolt, Kas.. October 4, 1864. 



^fV 



1 



302 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



John Freeman, Byron Gannett and Henrj Grob, all mustered in 
and out with regiment. 

Henry Gibson, mustered in with company; died of small -pox at 
Kansas City, Mo., December 26, 1863. 

Andrew B. Hovey, Sylvanus Harless and Jacob Higgins, all mus- 
tered in and out with regiment. 

Charles W. Ketchum, mustered in and out with regiment. 

James Logan, mustered with regiment; died of disease in Dela- 
ware Nation, Kas., January 20, 18()5. 

Charles E. Learned, Daniel Long, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas 
Lewis, all mustered in and out with regiment. 

John Longbone, mustered with regiment; died December 19, 1864, 
at Kansas City, Mo., of wounds received October 22, 1864, at Big 
Blue, Mo. 

Big Moccasin, mustered in and out with regiment. 

John Martin, mustered with regiment; died of disease at Kansas 
City, Mo., December Ki. 1863. 

James H. Murray, George Pemsey, Winiield Pipe, James Rowe, 
Wilson Sarcoxie, Lamon Scott, Hiram S. Young and Ethan L. Zane, 
all mustered in and out with regiment. 

Peter Broham, mustered Felnuary 21, 1804; deserted at Kansas 
City, Mo., December 27, 1864. 

John Gillis, mustered in and out with regiment. 

Samuel Glass, mustered October 10, 1863; deserted at Fort Scott, 
Kas., August 10, 1864. 

James Moody, mustered February 24, 1864; mustered out June 6. 
1865, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Elijah Owen, mustered October 10, 1863; mustered out with regi- 
ment. 

James Roberts, mustered February 24, 1804; deserted at Fort 
Riley, Kas., June 27, 1865. 

James Shanghai, mustered October 10, 1863; mustered out June 
9. 1865, at St. Louis. 

Thomas Shields, mustered October 28, 1863; mustered out with 
regiment. 

Joseph Shorter, mustered October 28, 1863; died November 10, 
1864, at Kansas City, Mo., of wounds received October 22, 1864, at 
Big Blue, Mo. 

New Company B. — Rusha Chaploy and John Coon, mustered June 
25, 1863; mustered out with regiment. 




Frederick Vickers, mustered in and out with regiment. 

Moses Denna, mustered May 12, 1863; mustered out with regi- 
ment. 

William H. Jones, mustered June 25, 1863; mustered out with 
regiment. * 

Zachariah Loughouse, mustered August 9, 1863; deserted at Law- 
rence, Kas. , July 23, 1863. 

Philip Mature, mustered August 9, 1863; deserted at Topeka, 
Kas., July 24, 1805. 

Thomas Punch, mustered October 23, 1863; mustered out with 
regiment. 

Thompson Smith, mustered April 29, 1863; mustered out with 
regiment. 

Beverly Tally, mustered June 25, 1863; mustered out tvith regi- 
ment. 

James Wilson, mustered April 29, 1863; mustered out with regi- 
ment. 

The Sixteenth Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry was raised 
during the winter of 1863-6-1. Its colonel was Werter R. Davis, 
of Baldwin City. It came into service too late to share equally 
with the older regiments in the brilliant achievements of war, but 
its service against Indian and guerrilla depredations protected the 
citizens at home, and consequently was very useful. 

Roster of officers and enlisted men from Wyandotte County in 
the Sixteenth Regiment: 

William Sweeney, mustered December 22, 1863, as sergeant- 
major; mustered out with regiment. 

Morton Wallace, mustered November 12, ISfiS, as sergeant of 
Company A; reduced to ranks January 11, 1865; mustered out with 
regiment. 

Dennis Murphy, mustered December 22, 1864, as undercook; mus- 
tered out with regiment. 

Company C— David B. Johnson, mustered with company Decem- 
ber 22, 1863, as sergeant; mustered out with regiment December 6, 
1865. 

Charles S. Williamson, mustered December 22, 1863, as sergeant; 
reduced to ranks October 1, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 

John Hogan, mustered December 22, 1863, as corporal; promoted 
sergeant February 1, 1865; reduced to ranks; mustered out with 
regiment. 



304 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Edwin E. Willis, miastered with company; died at Julesburg, 
June 18, 1865. 

Reuben Brown, mustered with company as sergeant; mustered 
out with regiment. 

James C. Barnett, mustered in as corporal; reduced to ranks Feb- 
ruary 28, 18G5; mustered out with regiment. 

John B. Ackers, mustered with company as bugler; reduced to 
ranks December 8, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 

James Abbot, mustered in and out with regiment. 

James B. Barnett, mustered with company; promoted farrier Octo- 
ber 1, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 

John F. Beavers, William Bryson and John Coyle, all mustered in 
and out with regiment. 

Peter Cunningham, mustered with company; deserted August ,8, 
1864, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

James Cregg, mustered with company; deserted August 8, 1864, at 
Leavenworth, Kas. 

Pascal Pockett (or Puckett) mustered in and out with regiment. 

John W. Pearson, mustered with comf)any; no evidence of muster 
out on file. 

John Walleuraeyer, mustered in and out with regiment. 

Ephraim B. Warren, mustered with company; promoted bugler; 
died at Leavenworth, Kas., October 28, 1804. 

Company D. — William Brown, mustered December 29, 1863; pro- 
moted first sergeant December 31, 1803; reduced to ranks January 
28, 1864; promoted sergeant March 12, 1804; mustered out with regi- 
ment. 

George Allison, mustered with company ; died in the field, N. T. 
August 13, 1805. 

Lorenzo D. Barnett, mustered with company; promoted corporal 
April 1, 1805; mustered out with regiment. 

Robert Bayles, mustered December 31, 1863, as corporal; mustered 
out with regiment. 

Thomas Brereton, mustered December 31, 1863, as corporal; mus- 
tered out with regiment. 

James Breunner, mustered December 31, 1803, as sergeant; de- 
serted at Emporia, Kas.. February 23, 1865. 

William McDonald, mustered December 31, 1863, as corporal; re- 
duced to ranks January 13, 1864; promoted sergeant July 17, 1805; 
mustered out with reeriment. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 305 



Dennis Buckley, mustered with company; discbarged for disability 
August 18, 18*14, at Leavenwortb, Kas. 

Oliver Dorris and Arcbelaus Doxsee, mustered in and out with 
regiment. 

John Harris, mustered with companj-; no evidence of muster out 
on file. 

Morgan Mclntyre, mustered with company; promoted corporal 
February 4, 1864; reduced to ranks April 1, 1864; promoted sergeant 
November 9, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 

Bernard McDermott, mustered in and out with regiment. 

Reuben Mapes, mustered December 30, 1863, as sergeant; mustered 
out with regiment. 

James Noble, mustered in and out with regiment. 

Henry Perry, mustered with company; deserted February 22, 1865. 

Company F. — James M. Barnes, mustered April 27, 1864; pro- 
moted corporal December 21, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 

James Cobine, mustered January 21, 1864; discharged for disability 
December 11, 1S64, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Joseph C. Coakley, mustered April 27, 1864; mustered out May 
29, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

William B. Duncan, mustered January 21, 1864; mustered out 
with regiment. 

John M. Kennedy, mustered April 27, 1864; miistered out with 
regiment. 

Daniel P. Lucas, mustered April 27, 1864; mustered out May 13, 
1865, at Leavenworth, Kas. 

Milton L. McAlexander, mustered April 27, 1864; discharged 
April 15, 1865, on account of wounds in battle of Little Blue, Mo. 

John S. Waddle, mustered January 21, 1864; promoted corporal 
October 31, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 

Company H. — Abraham Arms, mustered March 7, 1864; mus- 
tered out with regiment December 6, 1865. 

John D. Brown, Jr., mustered March 7, 1864; mustered out with 
regiment. 

Newton Butler, mustered March 7, 1864; promoted corporal March 
17, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 

William Beamish, mustered April 2, 1864; no evidence of muster 
out on file. 

John D. Brown, Sr. , mustered March 7, 1864; mustered out June 
y, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kas. 







Nicholas Dedier, mustered March 7, 18*34; discharged October 10, 
1865, at Leavenworth. 

Michael J. Fox and Daniel Fitzgerald, mustered March 7, 1864; 
mustered out with regiment. 

Michael Fitzpatrick, mustered with company; discharged October 
10, 1865, at Leavenworth. 

John L. Green, mustered in with comjjany; mustered out with 
regiment. 

Henry Gray, mustered March 7, IS'U; promoted sergeant March 
17, 1864; died of erysipelas at Cottonwood Springs, N. T., May 19, 
1S65. 

Samuel T. Hannan, mustered March 7, 181)4; promoted sergeant 
March 22, 1864; {promoted saddler December 1, 1864; mustered out 
with regiment. 

William Hunter, mustered March 7, 1864; mustered out with 
regiment. 

Francis N. Kennedy, mustered March 9, 1864; promoted corporal 
March 17, 1864; deserted at Leavenworth. February 14, 1865. 

James Lewis, mustered March 7, 1864; deserted at Leavenworth, 
February 14, 1865. 

Charles B. Morgan, mustered April 2, 1864; promoted sergeant 
April 1. 1865; mustered out with regiment. 

William Moore, mustered April 2, 1864; promoted sergeant May, 
1864; mustered out with regiment. 

John Mitchell, mustered April 2, 1864; mustered out with regi- 
ment. 

Newton J. Meyers, mustered March 7, 1864; promoted corporal 
March 20, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 

William A. McLaughlin, mustered March 24, 1864; mustered out 
with regiment. 

James McDowell, mustered March 7, 1864; promoted sergeant 
March 17, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 

James McTour, mustered March 7, 1864; died of diarrhoea Novem- 
ber 11, 1864, at Fort Scott, Kas. 

Charles H. McLaughlin, mustered March 7, 1864; deserted Au- 
gust 15, 1864, at Leavenworth. 

Isaac G. McGibbon, mustered March 8, 1864; promoted first ser- 
geant March 17, 1864; reduced to ranks March 1, 1865; promoted 
sergeant September 10. 1865; discharged for disability October 1, 
1865. 



If^ 



s]^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 307 



Frederick Ottens, mustered March 7, 186-4; promoted corporal 
March 17, 1864; mustered out with regimeat. 

Goodlip Oleman, mustered March 7, 1864; mustered out with 
regiment. 

John Punch, mustered March 7, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 

George W. Patton, mustered March S, 1864; mustered out with 
regiment. 

Jerome Payne, mustered March 7, 1864; deserted May 30, 1864, 
at Leavenworth. 

James W. Powell, mustered March 8, 1864; promoted sergeant; 
mustered out with regiment. 

JohnE. Renfro, mustered April 2. 1864; promoted sergeant March 
1, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 

William Reed, mustered March 7, 1864; mustered out with regi- 
ment. 

Luther Shorkman, mustered March 7, 1864; died of consumption 
April 13, 1864, at Leavenworth. 

Thomas Sullivan, mustered March 7, 186)4; deserted April 13, 1864. 

JohnR. Smith, mustered March 7, 1864; deserted August 30, 1864. 

John Theyer, mustered March 7, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 

Joseph Whitecrow, mustered March 7, 18(>4; promoted corporal 
March 21, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 

William Anderson, mustered December 27, 1864; mustered out 
June 27, 1865. 

James K. M. Renfro, mustered December 14, 1864; mustered out 
with regiment. 

Herman Theyer, mustered October 1, 1864; no evidence of muster 
out on file. 

Company K. — Samuel S. Beebe, mustered June 17, 1864; mustered 
out with regiment. 

Jeremiah Burrus, mustered August 5, 1864; died of diarrhcea Jan- 
uary 25, 1865, at Liberty, Mo. 

Ransom Beach, mustered June 7, 1864; mustered June 24, 1865, 
at Leavenworth. 

Alfred Briggs, mustered May 4, 1S64; discharged April 15, 1865, 
at Leavenworth. 

Benjamin Grim and John Carr, mustered May 4, 1864; mustered 
out with regiment. 

M. D. S. Collins, mustered August 5, 1864; mustered out with 
regiment. 



^|v- 



.[> 



308 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



William Clary, mustered June 7, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 

Kichard Frost, mustered May 4, 1864; died September '20, 1864. 
at Wyandotte Kas. 

Jacob Hay den, mustered August 26, 1864; mustered out with 
regiment. 

Elias J. Hampton, mustered August 26, 1864; died January 7, 
1865, at Lawrence, Kas. 

Eli Hargis, mustered August 26, 1864; deserted September 20, 
1864. 

John W. Hampton, mustered September 28, 1864; mustered out 
August 7, 1865. 

Henry Jarvis, mustered August 5, 1864; mustered out with 
regiment. 

Duncan Keith, mustered May 4, 1864; promoted corporal January 
4, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 

John Kyle, mustered May 4, 1864; promoted corporal January 4, 
1865; mustered out with regiment. 

Benjamin Keen, mustered August 5, 1864; deserted February 13, 
1865. 

James H. Knuckols, mustered May 4, 1864; deserted February 1, 
1865. 

Michael McCarthy, mustered May 4, 1864; mustered out with 
regiment. 

John W. Maine, mustered September 28, 1864; died of measles 
February 13, 1865. 

Th6mas Malony, mustered June 7, 1864; promoted sergeant Oc- 
tober 1, 1864; deserted January 24, 1865. 

Peter Onnerson, mustered May 4, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 

Franklin W. Patterson, mustered May 4, 1864; promoted sergeant 
October 1, 1864; mustered out with regiment. 

George W. RatlifF, mustered May 4, 1864; mustered out May 27, 
1865. 

Jefferson C. Saylor, mustered September 28, 1864; mustered out 
with regiment. 

George W. Spicer, mustered May 4, 1864; mustered out with 
regiment. 

William M. Sears and William J. Sears, mustered May 4, 1864; 
mustered out with regiment. 

Jackson Wiletrout, mustered May 4, 1864; mustered out with 
regiment. 



^U r- 



J, 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 309 



Alphonso B. Wolf, mustered May 4, 1864; no evidence of muster 
out on file. 

John W. Woodman, mustered May 4, 18(54 ; promoted corporal 
October 1, 1864; deserted February 13, 1865. 

James U. Wilkinson, mustered May 4, 1864; mustered out June 
26, 1865. 

Andrew J. Priddy. mustered November 17, 1864; promoted far- 
rier January 1, 1865; mustered out with regiment. 

The First Kansas Colored Regiment was raised in August and Sep- 
tember, 1862. They proved their valor October 28, by routing and 
pursuing CockrelFs band near Camp Butler. They participated in 
the Camden campaign in Arkansas, and did excellent service at various 
places, the details of which are too well known to necessitate mention. 

'■ The Second Kansas Colored Regiment was mustered into the serv- 
ice on the 1 1 th of August, 1863, at Fort Scott, and was first seriously 
engaged iu the Camden expedition, under Gen. Steele, having partici- 
pated with honor to itself and much loss in that campaign. The rec- 
ord of the Second Colored Regiment was honorable in every particular, 
and in some instances high distinction was gloriously won." [Tuttle. ] 

The behavior of the colored troops was generally good, but that 
of the enemy in killing colored prisoners was absolutely barbarous. 
In the foregoing, mention has only been made of the regiments having 
representatives from Wyandotte County. The number of Wyandotte 
County men that served in each regiment, as shown by the State ad- 
jutant's report, was as follows: First Infantry, 67; Second Infantry, 
22; Fifth Cavalry. 21; Sixth Cavalry, 64; Tenth Cavalry, 23; Twelfth 
Cavalry, 88; Fifteenth Cavalry, 73; Sixteenth Cavalry, 119, making a 
total of white men, including a few Indians, of 477. 

Of the colored soldiers from Wyandotte County 206 served in the 
First Colored Regiment, 162 in the Second, 35 in the Independent Col - 
ored Kansas Battery, and 80 in the Eighteenth United States Colored 
Infantry, making a total of 483. 

Most assuredly Wyandotte County did its full share in suppressing 
the great Rebellion. It must also be remembered that besides these 
stanch supporters of the Union there were those actively engaged in 
service on the Confederate side, who were as sincere in their devotion 
to loyalty, as faithful in service, and as true to their convictions as their 
Federal brethren. There were but few however from this countv. 



*^^=^ 



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-i^ 



310 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



CHAPTER XYI. 



First Frkk School— First Teachers— Constitutional Provisions- 
School Funds— School Lands— School Statistics— Value of 
School Property— Bonded Indebtedness— Cost of the Schools 
— ]\'oiiMAL Institute — Schools in Kansas City-Scholastic Popu- 
lation— Enrollment- High School— Kindergarten— Private 
AND Parochial Schools— Old Academy, etc. 




Whence is thy learning? HiUh th3- toil 

O'er books consumed the midnight oil? — Gay. 



DUCATIONAL facilities have existed in what 
is now Wyandotte County ever since its settle- 
^ ment by the Wyandotte Indians in 1843. Be- 
longing to this tribe were some well-educated 
people, and they at once set about to give their 
children the benefit of a free education. J. M. 
Armstrong, a lawyer of this tribe, taught the 
first free school in the Territory, which was opened July 
1, 1844. The building in which the session was held 
was a frame one, with double doors, which stood on the 
east side of Fourth Street, between Kansas and Nebraska 
Avenues, in what is now Kansas City, Kas. It was some- 
times, but erroneously, called the Council House. J. M. 
Armstrong contracted to build it, and commenced teaching 
on the date named. The council of the nation met in it 
during vacations, or at night. The expenses of building the house were 
met out of the funds secured by the Wyandotte treaty of March, 
1842. The .school was managed by directors appointed by the council, 
the members of which were elected annually by the people. White 
children were admitted free. Mr. Armstrong taught until 1845, when 
he went to Washington as the legal representative of the nation, to 
prosecute their claims. Kev. Mr. Cramer, of Indiana, succeeded him; 
then Robert Robitaille, chief of the nation; nest Rev. R. Parrett, of 





Indiana; Mrs. Lucy B. Armstrong (wife of J. M.) December, 1847, 
to March. 1848: Miss Anna H. Ladd. who came with the AVyandottes 
in 1S43, and Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong. The latter was teaching the 
school at the time of her husband's death, which occurred at Mans- 
field, Ohio, while on his way to Washington to prosecute Indian claims, 
in April, 1852. The school was closed in the old building April 16. 
1852; resumed in Mrs. Armstrong's dining-room; removed the next 
winter to the Methodist Episcopal Church, three quarters of a mile 
west of her house, and left without a home when that structure was 
burned by incendiaries April 8, 1856. It was called the National 
School, and was the first free school ever taught in Kansas. Accord- 
ingly, to the Wyandotte Indiaas belongs this honor. Soon after the 
first school opened, a school-bouse was built near M. Mudeater's farm, 
and Mr. Armstrong, Mrs. S. P. Ladd and others taught therein. 

The constitutioQ of the State of Kansas, adopted at Wyandotte, 
July 29, 1859, which is now the organic law of the State, provided as 
follows : 

Section 1. The State superintendent of public instruction shall 
have the general supervision of the common- school funds and educa- 
tional interests of the State, and perform such other duties as may be 
prescribed by law. A superintendent of public instruction shall be 
elected in each county, whose term of office shall be two years, and 
whose duties and compensation shall be prescribed by law. 

Sec. 2. The Legislature shall encourage the promotion of intel- 
lectual, moral, scientific and agricultural improvement, by establish- 
ing a uniform system of common schools, and schools of a higher 
grade, embracing normal, preparatory, collegiate and university de- 
partments. 

Sec. 3. The proceeds of all lands that have been, or may be 
granted by the United States to the State, for the support of schools, 
and the 500.000 acres of land granted to the new States, under an 
act of Congress distributing the proceeds of public lands among the 
several States of the Union, approved September 4, A. D. 1841, and 
all estates of persons dying without heir or will, and such per cent as 
may be granted by Congress, on the sale of lands in this State shall 
be the common property of the State, and shall be a perpetual fund, 
which shall not be diminished, but the interest of which, together 
with all the rents of the lands, and such other means as the Legisla- 
ture may provide, by tax or otherwise, shall be invariably appropri- 
ated to the support of common schools. 






-» V 






.k 



312 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Sec. 4. The income of the State school funds shall be distributed 
annually by order of the State superintendent, to the several county 
treasurers, and thence to the treasurers of the several school districts, 
in equitable to the number of children and youth resident therein, 
between the ages of five and twenty-one years: Provided, That no 
school district, in which a common school has not been maintained at 
least three months in each year, shall be entitled to receive any por- 
tion of such funds. 

Sec. f . The school lands shall not be sold unless such sale shall 
be authorized by a vote of the people at a general election; but, sub- 
ject to a re-valuation every five years, they may be leased for any 
number of years not exceeding twenty-five, at a rate established by 
law. 

Sec. 6. All money which shall be paid by persons as an equiva- 
lent for an exemption from military duty; the clear proceeds of es- 
trays, ownership of which vest in the taker-up; and the proceeds of 
tines for any breach of the penal laws, shall be exclusively applied in 
the several counties in which the money is paid or fines collected, to 
the support of common schools. 

Sec. 9. The State superintendent of public instruction, secretary 
of State and attorney-general shall constitute a board of commissioners 
for the management and investment of the school funds. A,ny two 
of said commissioners shall be a quorum. 

These are the main provisions of the State constitution for the( sup- 
port of the common schools, and show the origin of the permanent 
school funds. 

The act of Congress, approved January 28. 1861, admitting Kan- 
sas into the Union as a State, under the constitution referred to in the 
foregoing, provided, among other things, that sections numbered 
sixteen and thirty-six in every township of jsublic lands in the State, 
and where either of these sections or any part thereof had been sold 
or otherwise disposed of, other lands, equivalent thereto and as con- 
tiguous as might be, should be granted to the State for the use of 
schools. But as all the lands composing Wyandotte County were 
owned by the Indians under treaties with the United States, before 
they were surveyed and sectionized, it was not in the power of the 
Government to set aside and donate the sections named for school 
purposes in this county. 

As soon as the State was organized, the Legislature thereof passed 
a law i^roviding for a free school system. This law has been amended 



^rr 



to suit the times, and Section 271 of the present school law reads as 
follows: " For the purpose of affording the advantages of a free edu- 
cation to the children of the State, the State annual school fund shall 
consist of the annual income from the interest and rents of the perpetual 
school fund as provided in the constitution of the State, and such sum 
as will be produced by the annual levy and assessment of one mill upon 
the dollar valuation of the taxable property of the State, and there 
is hereby levied and assessed aonually the said one mill upon the dollar 
for the support of common schools in the State, and the amount so 
levied and assessed shall be collected in the same manner as other 
State taxes. " 

The law further provides (Section 298) " Tliat in all school dis- 
tricts in the State in which there is a good and sufficient school build- 
ings, a school shall be maintained for a period of not less than four 
months between the first day of October and the first day of June, in 
each school year." 

As soon as Wyandotte County was organized, its subdivision into 
schools districts was begun and continued as the population increased, 
and necessity demanded, until it was wholly subdivided. The num- 
ber of districts organized at this writing is forty-one. According to 
the latest ofiicial report of the county superintendent, which is for the 
school year ending June 30, 18S9, the scholastic population of the 
county, that is the number of children between five and twenty-one 
years of age, was 8,195 males and 7,997 females, total 16,192. Of 
this number 3,951 males and 5,203 females were enrolled in the pub- 
lic schools. This shows that only 57 per cent and a fraction over of 
the children of the county of school age attended the public schools. 
Or, in other words, it proves the fact that only a little over one-half the 
people of the county avail themselves of the great advantages of the 
public schools. No better argument than this can be offered in favor 
of compulsory education. The report also shows that 55 male and 
101 female teachers were employed during the school year, and that 
the total number of months taught by male teachers was 376J, and 
the average monthly salaries paid them in the county schools was 
155 and a fraction over, and in the city schools 191 and a fraction 
over. The difference in the wages is accounted for by the fact 
that in the city schools males are employed only as principals of 
the schools, and they must have a much higher degree of education 
than is required of the teachers in the common district schools. 
The total number of months taught during the year by female teachers 



r 



2^1'" — ■- -" — "L£: 




was 847 and a fraction, and the average monthly salaries paid them 
were $43.64 in the country and 155.17 in the city schools. The 
whole amount of money paid male teachers for the school year 
was $27,133, and the whole amount paid female teachers, 143,949.- 
50, making a total of $71,082.50. The average length in weeks of 
the school year was 29j\, or about seven months. 

The estimated value of the school property within the county was 
shown by the report to be $342,900; the number of school buildings 
in the country to be 46, and the number in the cities 17, making a 
total in the county of 63; the number of school-rooms in the country 
being 68 and in the cities 96; total in county, 164. There were seven 
school-houses built within the county during the year, at a cost of 
$27,911.25. The amount of school-house bonds issued during school 
year was $132,700, and the bonded indebtedness June 30, 1889, 
amounted to $218,400. 

There were 85 jjersons examined during the year for teacher's 
license, which 19 failed to receive, thus making the number of licenses 
granted 66. The average age of the persons receiving certificates of 
license was 23^ years. 

The financial report pertaining to the schools of the county for the 
year ending June 30, 1889, is as follows: Balance in hands of district 
treasurers July 1, 1888, $11,837.13; amount received from county 
treasurer from direct taxes, $93,166.94; amount received from State 
and county permanent school funds, apportioned to districts, $14,- 
827.51; amount received from the sale of school bonds, $133,998.46; 
amount received from all other soiu'ces, $2,785.89; total amount 
received dtiring the year for school purposes, $256,615.93. 

Amount paid out during the year for teachers' wages and supervis- 
ors, $73, 050. 59 ; amount paid for rents, repairs, fuel and other incident- 
als, $20,566.47; amount paid for district library and school apparatus, 
$519.06; amount paid for sites, buildings and furniture, $99,258.27; 
amount paid for all other purposes, $11,915.72; total amount paid out 
during the school year, $205,310.11. Balance in hands of district 
treasurers June 30, 1889, $59,513.66. 

The report also shows that the County Normal Institute was taught 
in Kansas City, Kas., opening June 10, and closing July 3, 1889, 
eighteen days, and that the conductor, Mr. John Wherrell, was paid 
for his services the sum of $140, and Instructors George E. Eose and 
C. H. Nowlin were paid respectively for their services $100 and $60. 
The number enrolled at the institute was 180, and the average attend- 



t' 



a I^ — »>- ±==£Ll 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 315 



ance 137L The total receipts of the institute fund was $434.(55, out 
of which 1393 was expended, leaving a balance of 141.05 on hand. 

Of the sixty-three school-houses in the county, two are built of 
stone, fifteen of brick, and the balance are frame. 

As the great bulk of the population of the county lives in cities, 
it is proper to make more especial mention of the city schools. The 
Andreas State History, published in 1883, speaks of the educational 
facilities of Wyandotte City as follows: " The first public school build- 
ing was erected in 1867, on the corner of Sixth Street and Kansas 
Avenue. It was afterward used for colored pupils. A central school 
building was erected the same year. In 1881 the city voted $15,000 
to build two new ward school- houses, one on the site of the old colored 
school, and the other on Everett Street, between Fifth and Sixth 
Streets. In the spring of 1882 $15,000 additional was voted to com- 
plete the two buildings mentioned, to build the one in the Fifth Ward, 
and repair the Central School building. In 1872, before what is known 
as South Wyandotte was annexed to the city, a two-story brick edifice 
was erected there at a cost of $5,000. Wyandotte has, therefore, 
five good brick school buildings. It costs $12,000 to maintain her 
educational system, which is under the supervision of Prof. P. Sher- 
man, superintendent of schools. Twenty teachers train the young 
ideas. The school population of Wyandotte is 3,000, of which a 
little less than one- half are in attendance upon school." The reader 
will observe that this applies to Wyandotte City, a part only of the 
present Kansas City. 

To show the wonderful improvement in school facilities in recent 
years, the following facts are compiled fi'om the annual report of the 
board of education of Kansas City, Kas. , for the year ending June 30, 
1889: 

The Central school-house, a nine-room brick, with seating capac- 
ity for 542, was erected on Huron Place in 1868, and is heated with 
steam. 

The High School, a ten-room brick, situated on the corner of 
Seventh and Ann. with a seating capacity of 433, was erected in 1878.. 
and is heated by stoves. 

Everett school-house, on Everett Avenue, between Fourth and 
Fifth, an eight-room brick, with seating capacity for 433, is heated by 
steam. 

Lincoln school, on the corner of State and Sixth, a nine-room 
brick, with seating capacity for 490. is heated with steam. 



>^ 



^1 



316 HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



Wood school-house, situated on Wood Street, between Fifth and 
Sixth, an eight-room brick, with a seating capacity for 462, was erected 
in 1872, and is heated with stoves. 

Armourdale school-house, a twelve-room brick, situated on Eighth 
Street, with seating capacity for 747, is heated with a hot-air furnace. 

Morse, a four-room brick, situated on Twenty-lirst Street, with 
seating room capacity for 240, was erected in 1888, and is heated with 
stoves. 

Reynolds, on Eidge Avenue between Eleventh and Twelfth, a four- 
room brick, with seating capacity for 240, was erected in 1888, and 
is heated with stoves. 

Long, situated on Sixth Street, an eight-room brick, with seating 
capacity for 480, was erected in 1888, and is heated with stoves. 

Bruce, situated on Second and Armstrong, a two-room frame, with 
seating capacity for 100, was erected in 1889, and is heated with 
stoves. 

Douglas, a six-room brick, situated on Washington Avenue between 
Ninth and Tenth, with seating capacity for -360, was erected in ISSU, 
and is heated with stoves. 

Barnett, a three-room frame, situated on Barnett Avenue between 
Tenth and Eleventh, with seating capacity for 130, was erected in 
1886, and is heated with stoves. 

Riverview, situated on Seventh, an eight-room brick, with seating 
capacity for 411, was erected in 1880, and is heated with steam. 

McAlpine, on Parnell Avenue between Eighth and Ninth, a two- 
room frame, was erected in 1886, and is heated with stoves. 

Armstrong, on Colorado Avenue, a two-room brick, with seating 
capacity for 120, was erected in 1876, and is heated with stoves. 

Stewart, on Ninth and Quindaro, a one-room brick, with seating 
capacity for 60, was erected in 1885, and is heated with a stove. 

London Heights, on Whiteside and Wiltz Avenue, a six-room brick, 
with seating capacity for 360, was erected in 1889, and is heated with 
stoves. 

By the foregoing it will be seen that the city now owns seventeen 
school-houses, fifteen of which are constructed of brick, and the other 
two of wood. Also that three of these buildings were erected in 1888, 
and the same number in 1889, thus showing the recent rapid increase 
in the necessity for school facilities. The seventeen buildings above 
mentioned not being sufficient to accommodate the school children, 
the school board rented three additional buildings, and had schools 



^* 



■vj^ ^ ^ gt> 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 317 



taught therein during the school year referred to. The estimated value 
of the school property belonging to Kansas City, Kas. , as shown by 
the last report, was S2T2.800. 

The scholastic population of the city for the year closing June 30, 
1889, was 9,284 white and 1,864 colored, making a total of 11.148. 
Of this number, 5,866, only a little more than one-half of the whole 
number, were enrolled in the public schools. Of the total enrollment 
2.958 were males and 2,908 females. The report shows that for the 
school term ending February 1, 1889, 5,263 pupils were crowded into 
school-rooms with proper seating capacity for only 4,434. Consider- 
ing the large percentage of the scholastic population not enrolled in 
the public schools, it follows that if all were compelled to attend, the 
capacity for their accommodation would need to be greatly increased. 

On the question of enrollment, attendance and continuance in 
school, John W. Ferguson, in his report as superintendent of the city 
schools for the year ending June 30, 1889, remarks as follows: "It 
will be seen that forty-eight per cent of the entire attendance is enrolled 
in the first two years' work; eighty per cent is enrolled in the first four 
years' work; ninety per cent is enrolled in the first six years' work; 
ninety-nine per cent is enrolled in the first eight years' work, and less 
than one per cent in the high school. This would indicate that the 
pupils diop out of the schools in the same ratio. 

" This state of affairs is not pleasant to contemplate from a humani- 
tarian standpoint. The fact that so small a per cent of the entire 
school population takes advantage of the facilities for acquiring a good 
education, can not fail to awaken serious thoughts on this vital ques- 
tion. If, as the poet expresses it, ' a little learning is a dangerous 
thing,' then surely are we toying with firebrands. 

" If the .stabilitj' and perpetuity of our free institutions depend, as 
philanthropists tell us, upon the education and enlightenment of the 
masses, then may lovers of liberty and free institutions well feel appre- 
hensive for the continuance of our present form of government. With 
less than fifty per cent of our school population enrolled in our schools, 
and forty-eight per cent of those dropping out at the end of the second 
year, before the majority of them have laid a proper foundation for 
an education, does not seem to afford much chance for the education 
and enlightenment of the masses, as that cuts out seventy-five per cent 
at once. 

" Shall we lose faith in our free-school system and pronounce it a 
failure? No; the fault is not in the system, but in the environments. 



pfV 



lii. 



318 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



' ' If the safety of the State depends on the education of the masses, 
then, on the principle that ' self-preservation is the first law of na- 
ture,' the State has a right to take steps to preserve itself. It must 
enact such laws as will compel its citizens to educate their children. 

"Human greed and selfishness, and sometimes poverty, combine 
against the education of hundreds of children. When parents, un- 
educated themselves, and not knowing the great benefit an education 
would be to their children, can put the little ones at work, and thus 
earn from 25 cents to 50 cents per day, it is thought that this is much 
better than going to school, and not only earning nothing, but creating 
an additional expense for books and clothing. 

"It is poverty in some cases that almost compels the parent to put 
the child at work; but nine cases out of ten it is greed and selfishness. 

"The remedy, I think, lies in strict laws against the employment of 
children in any factory, shop, etc., during the session of school in any 
district. The violation of this law should cause heavy punishment to 
be meted out to the offender. The State must preserve itself. If the 
cost of books is a barrier to the child's attendance, then the board 
should furnish them." 

Further, upon the growth of the schools. Mr. Ferguson says : 

" The growth of the schools since consolidation has been marvel- 
ous. Probably no city in the United States shows such a wonderful 
growth. The first year after consolidation forty-three teachers were 
employed, with an enrollment of 2,005 pupils. 

"This year eighty-six teachers were employed with an enrollment 
of 5,866. 

" The only trouble has been the lack of proper legislation, which has 
sadly crippled the board in its efforts to provide suitable school facil- 
ities. 

"The cause seems to be that members of the Legislature from the 
rural districts are determined to frame school legislation for cities of 
the first class. The majority of such members know about as much 
of the requirements and needs of city schools as they do about run- 
ning a system of railroads. 

" Why those persons arrogate to themselves the privilege of legislat- 
ing for our city schools is more than I can tell. -They have a right to 
vote on questions of public interest, but it seems to me that when mem- 
bers from cities of the first class agree on necessary legislation, as a 
matter of courtesy they ought to favor it. Perhaps a part of the 
trouble arises from the fact that representatives from cities of the first 



^ 



^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



319 



class fail to heartily agree aod co-operate in their efforts to secure 
necessary legislation. 

" As the needs of this city are peculiar, it would be advisable to get 
a law passed at the next session of the Legislature that will apply only 
to our city.'' 

In the Kansas City High School there are four courses of study- — 
the English, Classical, Normal and Latin and Scientific. Four years 
are required to complete these courses, except the Normal, which 
requ.ires only three. The number enrolled in the High School for the 
year of 1888-89 was: Males, 78; females, 173; total, 251. 

The receipts, expenditures and balances of funds on hand, of Kan- 
sas City, Kas. , on account of her schools, from July 1, 1888, to July 1, 
1889, were as follows: 



Receipts. 


Disbui-se'mts. 


Balance. 


$48,355 33 


$47,848 37 


$ 506 95 


7,330«73 


1,937 90 


5,393 83 


10.383 60 


10,353 60 


30 00 


137,057 79 


87,376 67 


39,681 13 


1.438 30 


1,438 30 




7,314 93 


3,000 00 


4,314 93 


3,664 03 


1,530 00 


1,134 03 


3,86t 16 




3,864 16 


903 38 


430 00 


483 38 


$308,190 91 


$153,883 64 


154,307 37 



General 

Consolidaled Bond Interest 

State Dividend 

Building 

Wyandotte Floating 

Wyandotte Bond Sinking 

Wyandotte Bond Interest 

Former Kansas City Bond Sinking . 
Former Kansas City Bond Interest. . 



Total . 



The amounts expended directly, for the support of the schools 
during the year, were as follows: 

Teachers .f48,899 35 

Janitors 6,668 35 

Officers 3,770 00 

Stoves 653 40 

Fu. 1 2.160 50 

Repairs 1,437 31 

Insurance 613 45 

Supplies 1,176 11 

Printing 170 00 

Office Supplies 108 80 

Rent 1,394 60 

Miscellaneous 357 00 



Total $66,408 71 

The bonded indebtedness of Kansas City, Kas. , on account of her 
schools was, on June 30, 1889, $159,000. Of this amount $127,000 



^' 



-^ efv 



Ml 



'i^ 






320 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



bears five per cent interest and becomes due February 1, 1909. The 
balance all bears six per cent interest. Twenty-five thousand ot it be- 
comes due in 1906, and $7,000 becomes due in 1909. In addition to 
these sums there was $24,000 of bonded indebtedness of the former 
city of Wyandotte, bearing six per cent interest, and $6,500 bonded 
indebtedness of the former city of Kansas, bearing seven per cent in- 
terest. 

For the school year ending June 30, 1889, there were eighty- seven 
principals and teachers employed in the public schools of Kansas City, 
Kas., besides the general superintendent. 

At a meeting of the board of education held in the last week in 
June, 1890, the engagements and assignments of principals andteacli- 
ers were made for the school year of 1890-91 as follows: 

High School — E. A. Mead, principal; L. L. L. Hanks, H. J. 
Locke, Eva McNally, Annie R. Barker. 

Eighth grade, Armourdale district — Bridgie Gushing. 

Eighth grade. Central district — Maggie M. Tustin. 

Central school — J. C. Mason, principal; Sallie Overton, Jessie B. 
Lane, Maggie Doran, Ora Peacock, J. L. Burton, Anna Modine, Birdie 
Colvin, Lizzie Collins. 

Central branch — W. J. Pearson, Hattie Dennis, Anna Bandies, 
Mary A. Ramsay. 

Everett school — George E. Rose, principal; Flora Betton, Estella 
Johnson, Mollie Collins, Hattie Bruce, Flora Sackett, Belle Trembley, 
Lillie Babitt. 

Long school — C. H. Nowlin, principal; Lulu Holbrook, Libbie 
Clark, Jennie Bixby, Sarah Frederling, Sallie Lindsay, Ollie Colvin, 
Kittie Hooker. Unassigned — Mrs. Criswell, Nellie Sharp, Ida Boucher. 

Stewart school — Jennie L. Taffe. 

London Heights — Frank Colvin, principal; Mamie Shipley, Noye 
McLean. 

Reynolds school — R. E. Morris, principal; Alice Swan, Carrie Drisco. 

Morse school- — W. H. McKean, principal; Josie Daniels, Florence 
J. Brouse, Mary Donnelly. Unassigned — Emma Spier, Ida Patter- 
son, Laura Case, Ella F. See. 

Wood Street school — M. E. Pearson, principal; H. J. Coddington, 
Josie CosgrifF, Sophie Wuest, Lucy Bennett, Flora C. Garlick, Lida 
Spake, Bessie Austin. 

Grey stone school — M. A. Moriston, principal; Ada HoUingsworth. 

Armourdale school— J. G. Fertig, principal; Lizzie Espenlaub, 



-,f 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 321 



Amelia Klippel, Alice Dunmire, Mary Emerick, Mary Malone, Eva 
Donnelly, Louise "Wuest, Belle Colgan, Frances Hughes, Nellie Dan- 
iels, Sadie Parsons. 

McAlpine school — Sallie Hutsell, principal; Augusta Larson. 

Riverview school — W. H. Rooney, principal; Julia Hixon, Dora 
Bean, Katie O'Brien, Mary Shine, Henrietta Church, Anna Judd, 
Katie Daniels. 

Barnett school — W. H. Allen, principal; Josie Eaton, Katie May- 
ginnis. 

Armstrong school — Mary F. McQuinn. 

Bruce school — J. J. Bass, principal; Mattie Ross. 

Douglas school — J. J. Lewis, principal; J. R. Harrison, W. G. 
Wood, Tilford Davis. Maggie Callaway. 

Lincoln school — G. L. Harrison, principal; A. J. Neeley, Ella 
Crabb, S. H. Hodge, Hattie Wiley, Georgia Freeman, Katie Hill, 
Frances Garner, Penelope Booth. 

J. H. Gadd is president and M. G. Jones clerk of the board of 
education, and A. S. Olin is superintendent of the city schools. 

A worthy institution of learning, not connected with the free- 
school system, is Fowler's Free Kindergarten, at 301 North James 
Street, in Kansas City. This school was founded and established in 
1883 by Miss Annie Fowler, daughter of George Fowler, of the firm 
of George Fowler & Son, pork and beef packers. Miss Fowler after- 
ward married Prof. Frederick Troutan. of the Dublin schools in Ire- 
land, and now lives with her husband in that old city on the "Emer- 
ald Isle." Mr. George Fowler purchased the lot on which the 
kindergarten building now stands for 13,000, and erected the house— 
a two-story brick — at the cost of another $3,000, and he supports and 
maintains the school at an expense of $1,000 per annum. The school 
is taught ten months in each year, and all is free — there being no 
tuition or other expenses for pupils to pay. The school is held in 
the second story of the building, which was fitted up for the pur- 
pose. The average attendance of pupils during the last school year 
was thirty-eight. Mrs. Alice Cheney is principal of the school. 

In the same school room is taught an industrial or sewing school. 
This latter school was established in 1881, by Mrs. George Fowler. 
Mrs. Alice Cheney is also principal of this school, and has several 
assistants. It is also maintained by Mr. Fowler at an expense of from 
$300 to $400 per year. The tuition and material used are free to all 
pupils. During the last school year among the materials consumed 



^(^ 



■k. 



322 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



was eight bolts of muslin. The sessions are taught from 2 o'clock to 
4 o'clock on every Saturday, for ten months in the year. There were 
157 pupils enrolled during the last school year, all being from eig'ut 
to sixteen years of age, and they came from all parts of the county. 
The girls are taught to sew in the best manner, and the garments on 
which they practice are given to them. The sewing is performed 
according to the best English methods. The last school year of both 
the kindergarten and sewing school closed June 27, 1890, with an 
English feast, and both teachers and pupils retired for vacation. The 
next school year commences two months later. Good sewing is one 
of the essential features of a young lady's education, and schools of 
this kind ought to be encouraged. The patrons of these schools owe 
much to the gratitude of Mr. Fowler. 

In addition to the above there are the following jarivate schools 
in the city: St. Anthony's German Catholic School, 615 North Seventh, 
Kev. Aloysius Kurtz, principal. St. Bridget's Catholic School, 69 
North First Street, Sister Benedicta, Superior. St. Mary's School, 
802, 804 North Fifth Street. St. Thomas' parochial school. 628 Pyle 
Avenue, Mary McQuinn, principal. Samaritan Mission, 47 North 
First Street, Emily P. Neweomb, superintendent. 

There is a large Roman Catholic population in Kansas City, and 
many of their children are educated in their own schools, which ac- 
counts to some extent for the small per cent of the scholastic popula- 
tion enrolled in the public schools. Wyandotte County boasts of no 
colleges or institutions of learning (save the Blind Asylum) higher 
than those already mentioned. 

A school known as the Wyandotte Academy was founded in Sep- 
tember, 1878, by Prof. C. O Palmer. By the spring of 1879 the at- 
tendance had so increased that he found it necessary to abandon tem- 
jjorary for permanent quarters. Accordingly, at the end of the fol- 
lowing summer, a large two- story brick structure was erected for the 
academy on the corner of Ann and Seventh Streets. Both sexes were 
admitted to this school, and it was carried on successfully until supe- 
rior educational facilities provided by the free-school system made it 
no longer a necessity. The academy was closed in the spring of 
1886, and the building was purchased by the Kansas City Board of 
Education, and is now used for the public high school. The lot con- 
taining this building, and the lot adjoining it on the south, contain- 
ing the school board offices, were purchased for $16,300. 



^ IS r- -^ e \. 



*-^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



323 



CHAPTER XYII. 



Churches of the County — A Reveusal of the Usual Order of 
Events and the Introduction of Christianity by- the In- 
dians—Church Beginnings in Different Denominations— Di- 
vision of the Methodist Church into "North "and "South" 
Churches— The Churches of To-day— Statistics Showing Their 
Number, Their Membership, and the Number and Value of 
Their Houses of Worship. 



Beware what spirit rages in your breast, 
For ten inspired, ten thousand are possess'd. 



-Roscommon. 




HUISTIANITY generally advanced with the 
\\hit(? settlement in the early history of the 
we'-teru country, but it came to this county, or 
i.itlier was first recognized and observed here, 
, \>} the Wyandotte Indians. And strange as it 
Midv seem, it is, nevertheless, true, that the 
Methodist Episcopal Church in Kansas City, 
Kas , had its origin in the Wyandotte reservation on the 
Sandusky Rner, Ohio. There, in 1819, a church was or- 
ganized under the auspices of the mission department of 
the Ohio Methodist Episcopal Conference, it being the 
first Indian mission ever established by that body. It 
grew and prospered in good works, being supplied with 
missionaries from that conference. In September, 1839, 
Rev. James Wheeler took charge of it as missionary, and 
when the Wyandottes moved to this territory in 1843, he 
accompanied them, and the church organization remained intact without 
change. Leaving it in the care of its local preachers and officers. Rev. 
Wheeler visited the Missouri Methodist Episcopal Conference in 
session at Lexington, and there the bishop continued him as mission- 
ary to the Wyandottes, and transferred him accordingly, and thus he 
remained with them until May, 1846. When these people landed 



■f^ 



^1 



324 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



here they had in their church orgaoization five classes, nine class 
leaders, three local preachers, four or five eshortors and a membership 
of 200 souls. Their removal from Ohio did not cause them to neglect 
their religious duties, but they held regular services in their camp on 
the strip of low land across the river, where they spent the summer 
of 1843, in the midst of great afflictions on account of disease, and 
where they lost many of their number. In January, after they start- 
ed to build their cabins on their new reservation, they began to build 
a house in which to worship their God, and in April following the 
October in 1843, when they first occupied their lands, their new 
church was ready for use. It was a log building, which stood about 
half a mile west of the present Chelsea Park. When the first service 
was held in it in April, 1844, the puncheon floor, completed along 
one end, answered for a pulpit, and the "sleepers," for the balance 
of the floor answered as seats for the audience, which consisted of the 
whole neighborhood. It was wholly completed by May 24, following, 
when the missionary returned and held the first quarterly meeting 
therein on Saturday and Sunday following. The same year a two- 
story frame parsonage was built. They afterward sold their log 
church and erected a brick church, which they entered in November, 
1847. It stood on what is now the Mary A. Grindrod tract, as shown 
on the present map of the city, about half a mile west of the North- 
Western depot. A school-house was built on the ea.st side of Fourth 
Street, between Kansas and Nebraska Avenues, and occupied July 1, 
1844. Occasional public services were held here, both in English and 
Wyandotte. The English-speaking class met here, and the first Sab- 
bath-school was organized in June, 1847. Rev. James Wheeler re- 
mained until May, 1840. He was succeeded by the Rev. E. T. Peery, 
who, though sent by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, kept the 
records of the church in the name of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
In July, 1848, the official board petitioned the Ohio Conference for a 
missionary, and the Rev. James Gurley volunteered to come as their 
missionary. He arrived in November. Previous to his arrival. Rev. 
Abram Still, M. D., presiding elder of the Platte District (which in- 
cluded the Indian missions in this region), came to hold his first quar- 
terly meeting in October, 1848. Dr. Still preached Sabbath morning 
on the text, "My peace I give unto you," after which Mi-. Peery or- 
ganized the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, with forty-one mem- 
bers. There were in the house 110 members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and sixty-nine refused to go into the new organization. 



r^ 



aI^ — - - — ^t^ 




Many of tbe old members of the church had died since they came to 
the West, and, at this time there were but 160 remaining. Renewed 
efforts were made to induce the members of the old church to unite 
with the new, but the highest number ever obtained was sixtyfive, 
and soon after Mr. Gurley's arrival some of these returned to the old 
church. But, nothwithstanding there was a large majority in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, the building was stoned, so as to en- 
danger the house and disturb the services when Mr. Gurley preached 
in it, and the official board decided to withdraw from it for a time, to 
a vacant dwelling house. The last week in February, 1849, the 
United States lodian agent, at Wyandotte, expelled Mr. Gurley, 
at the instance of some members and adherents of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, though he had committed no ofFense 
against the law, nor caused any of the disturbances. They existed 
before he came, and continued until 1857. The next Saturday after 
Mr. Gurley's expulsion, the presiding elder, Dr. Still, crossed the 
Missouri River in a skiff, swimming his horse amidst great blocks of ice, 
to hold his second quarterly meeting in the old dwelling house. 
Thirty persons united with the church upon this occasion. As soon as 
the spring rains were over the services were held in a grove, and be- 
fore winter another log church was built near the present Quindaro 
cemetery. Rev. Squire Gray-Eyes and J. M. Armstrong were sent 
to the Missouri Conference at St. Louis (August, 1849), to petition for 
a missionary. Rev. G. B. Markham was appointed, and arrived in a 
few weeks. He remaiaed two years, being followed by Rev. James 
Witten in October, 1851. His wife was in failing health and died 
January 1, 1852. She was buried near the log church, the first inter- 
ment in the Quindaro Cemetery. Rev. George W. Robbins was 
appointed presiding elder in October, 1850, and was continued three 
years. Following Father Witten as missionary were Rev. M. G. 
Klepper, M. D., October, 1852; Rev. J. M. Chivington, autumn of 
1853; Rev. J. T. Hopkins, presiding elder; Rev. J. H. Dennis, 
fall of 1854; Rev. W. W. Goode, D. D. , presiding elder, and su- 
perintendent of the work in Kansas and Nebraska Territories. He 
moved his large family from Richmond, Ind., to a small brick house, 
about two miles from the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas 
Rivers. Soon after these preachers came twelve persons returned 
from the Southern Church to the old church. One of them was Mat- 
thew Mudeater. the Wyandotte chief; and the other Mrs. Hannah 
Walker, the wife of William Walker, the provisional governor of 







Kansas. She was a white woman. All the white women in the 
church and Wyandotte Nation had united with the South Church, ex- 
cept one, and she was rejoiced when an English-speaking class was 
reorganized, after a lapse of seven years, at Dr. Goode's house. 
There were present Dr. Goode and family, Eev. J. H. Dennis, wife 
and daughter, Mrs. Hannah Walker, Lucy B. Armstrong and two of 
her family, who were then members of the church, and the former 
missionary, Father Witten, more than the requisite number for a 
primitive class. The class was continued until Dr. Goode moved into 
Iowa in October, 1855, to take charge of the work in Nebraska. Kev. 
L. B. Dennis succeeded him as presiding elder of all of Kansas 
north of the Kansas River. 

In the winter of 1855-56 the health of Rev. J. H. Dennis, who 
was continued missionary, rapidly failed, and near the 1st of May, 
1850, he left Wyandotte for his mother's house in Indiana, where he 
died the following August. His memory is blessed. Before he left, 
on the night of April 8, 1856, both churches were burned by incendia- 
ries. Rev. William Butt, who had been appointed to the Leavenworth, 
Delaware and Wyandotte Mission, moved here November, and preached 
in a school-house near Quindaro. In April, 1857, he was appointed 
presiding elder, and Rev. R. P. Duval succeeded him as missionary. 
Services were held in Lucy B. Armstrong's house from April to the 
last of December, 1857, when the old frame church, corner of Wash- 
ington Avenue and Fifth Street, was completed. The same year a brick 
church vpas built at Quindaro. The first quarterly meeting of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, after Wyandotte City was settled by 
white people and the church was reorganized, was held on Mrs. Arm- 
strong's premises, September 1, 1857. The public services of the 
Sabbath were held on her lawn, under the shade of the trees. There 
was gathered a vast concourse of people from Wyandotte and Quindaro 
and the country around. Presiding Elder Butt preached the morning 
sermon, and Rev. J. M. Walden, local preacher, politician and editor 
of the Quindaro Chindowan, delivered the afternoon sermon. After 
Mr. Duval, came as missionaries (April, 1858) Eev. H. H. Moore, who 
remained one year; Rev. G. W. Paddock, two years; Rev. Strange 
Brooks, March, 1861 (Rev. N. Gaylor, presiding elder), one year; 
Rev. M. D. Genney, March, 1862 (Rev. W. R. Davis, presiding elder), 
one year. The annual conference was held at Wyandotte, Bishop 
Simpson presiding. Mr. Genney was first lieutenant in the United 
States volunteer service. He attended conference and resigned his 



k. 




lieutenancy, but it was not accepted. With the exception of about 
four months, during; which time Rev. C. H. Love joy had charge, the 
Wyandotte and Quindaro Mission was withoiit a pastor this year. At 
the conference held in Lawrence, in March, 1863, Rev. Strange Brooks 
was appointed presiding elder of the district, and Rev. M. M. Haun, 
missionarj-. In 1S64 Rev. A. N. Marlatt was appointed missionary, 
remaining about ten months, when a man was appointed who had been 
transfered to another conference, and therefore did not fill the ap- 
pointment at Wyandotte. Rev. D. G. Griffith, a young local preacher, 
did not complete the conference year. In March, 1866, AVyandotte 
was made a station, Rev. D. D. Dickinson was appointed pastor, and 
Rev. J. E. Bryan sent to the Wyandotte and Quindaro Mission, Rev. H. 
D. Fisher, presiding elder. In March, 1867, came Rev. H. G. Murch, 
and in March, 1870, Rev. S. G. Frampton. The latter remained one 
year, but failed to keep up the Quindaro and Wyandotte Mission ap- 
pointments, partly because most of the Indians were about moving to 
the Indian Territory. These appointments were therefore dropped. 
Rev. S. P. Jacobs remained two years from March, 1871, during which 
time a neat parsonage was built. Rev. H. K. Muth was appointed in 
March, 1873, Rev. William Smith, who succeeded him, remaining two 
years. The corner-stone of a new church, the foundation of which 
had been laid on the corner of Kansas Avenue and Fifth Street, was 
laid by Rev. William K. Marshall, and the basement was dedicated by 
Bishop Thomas Bowman in January, 1876. Such is the history of 
the planting of Christianity in Wyandotte County. The church thus 
established, prospered and grew in numbers, and is one of the most 
popular in Kansas City to-day. Following are brief accounts of the 
beginning of other religious growths on this soil: Of the 110 members 
of the original Methodist Episcopal Church organized by the Wyan- 
dotte Indians in 1843, forty-one joined the Southern branch when it 
was formally organized in this city by the Rev. E. T. Peery, in Octo- 
ber, 1848. In 1873 the present brick edifice, corner of Minnesota Av- 
enue and Seventh Street, was commenced, and fully completed in 1881. 
at a cost, with parsonage, of $6,500. Some of the earlier pastors were, 
Revs. B. F. Russell, Daniel Dofflemayer, J. T. Peery, Nathan Scar- 
ritt, William Barnett, H. H. Craig, D. C. O' Howell, Joseph King, 
D. S. Heron, E. G. Frazier, G. J. Warren, T. H. Swearingen and J. 
W. Payne. 

In 1857 Rev. Rodney S. Nash, late of Lexington, Mo., organ- 
ized the St. Paul's Episcopal Parish, of AVyandotte. This was the 



^f^- 



pioneer parish of the Territory of Kansas, and was organized un- 
der the authority of Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, the first missionary 
bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States. 
Among the original incorporators were Dr. Frederick Speck, Col. W. 
Y. Roberts, A. C. Davis, W. L. McMath and James Chestnut. On 
July 9, 1882, the corner-stone for the church at the intersection of Sixth 
and Ann Streets was laid, Rt. Rev. Thomas H. Vail, Bishop of the 
diocese of Kansas, officiating. Kansas was in 1857 only a missionary 
jurisdiction under the care of the Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, the first 
missionary bishop of the church in America. On July 26, 1859, he 
issued a call for the purpose of organizing the Territory of Kansas in- 
to a diocese, and the primary convention was held in St. Paul's Church, 
Wyandotte, on August 11 and 12, following. Shortly after the or- 
ganization of the diocese, Bishop Lee, of Iowa, took provisional charge 
of the same, for about four years, until the first bishop, the Rt. Rev. 
Thomas Hubbard Vail, D. D. , LL. D., was, in December, 1864, con- 
secrated to the sacred office, and made his first visit to his new field in 
January, 1865. He made his second visit in the diocese to this jjai'ish. 
Mr. Nash retained the rectorship of the parish until November, 1862, 
when he resigned, but again resumed it in May, 1864. Early in April 
of the following year he again vacated the parish, and the Rev. Will- 
iam H. D. Hatton took charge in June of the same year. Since then 
there have been several successive rectors. 

The First Congregational Church was organized July 18, 1858, at 
the Methodist Church (North), among the earliest members being the 
following: W. P. Winner, S. F. Mather, Dr. J. P. Root, Rev. S. D. 
Storrs, W. F. Downs, D. A. Bartlett, Samuel Crosby, D. C. Collier, 
J. S. Stockton, Mrs. Mary Walcott, Mrs. Frances E. Root, Mrs. Mary 
E. Stockton, Mrs. M. Louisa Bartlett, Mrs. Louisa K. Downs, Mrs. 
M. A. Mather, John Furbish, Mrs. R. B. Taylor, A. D. Downs, E. T. 
Hovey and wife, Mrs. C. M. Downs, O. S. Bartlett, Jesse Cooper, Mrs. 
Hester A. Garno (now Mrs. Halford). For sis months previous to the 
organization Rev. S. D. Storrs, of Quindaro, preached in Wyandotte, 
doing missionary labor, to an audience of from twenty to thirty per- 
sons. He became the first pastor of the church, and was succeeded 
in 1859 by Rev. R. D. Parker, of Leavenworth, who remained eight 
years. It was during his administration, in March, 1860, that work 
was commenced on a new church building, corner of Fifth Street and 
Nebraska Avenue. The edifice was completed in July, and dedicated 
August 1, 1860. The national fast, appointed for September 26,1861, 



18 



-l^ 




was observed by this church and congregation, and on that day the 
Third Iowa Regiment landed here from the battle of Blue Mills, and 
many of them were at the meeting. On the following evening 250 
ofificers and soldiers held a prayer and conference meeting of intense 
interest. The ladies of the church administered to the wants of the 
wounded for many weeks. Among early pastors were Revs. E. A. 
Harlow and James N.Dougherty. In 1858 Rev. Father Heiman, of Leav- 
enworth, came to ^Yyandotte and organized St. Mary's Catholic Mission, 
with about thirty members. They first met at the house of John War- 
ren, but during the next year Father Heiman was succeeded by Father 
Fish, who remained three years, and built a little brick church, 25x50 
feet, at the corner of Ninth and Ann Streets. Fathers McGee and 
Muller succeeded him, each remaining about a year. From want of 
support the mission was then abandoned for nearly three years. In 
1864 Rev. Anthony Kuhls, present pastor, was sent to Wyandotte on 
trial. Then but thirty poor families belonged to the parish. After 
the war, however, the affairs of the chiirch assumed a more promising 
aspect. The old church was sold, and in 1866 the structure corner of 
Ann and Fifth Streets was erected for $9,0(10, the site being purchased 
of Matthias Splitlog for $800 in gold. Connected with St. Mary's 
Church are sodalities for married men and women, and for young men 
and young ladies, cumbering about 200 members, two insurance unions 
and two benevolent societies. In 1872 the settlement ten miles west 
of AVyandotte, called Delaware, built a church of its own, called St. 
Patrick. In 1880 the eastern portion, across the river, was taken ofp, 
and St. Bridget's Church was built, with a resident pastor. The Ger- 
man Methodist Episcopal Church was organized August 24, 1859, with 
the following members: Frank Weber. Maria Weber, Louisa Feisel, 
Maria Feisel, Adelharfl Holzbeierlein, Catherine Schatz, Margaret Ort- 
mann, Henry Helm, August Gabriel. Carl Gabriel, Henriette Gabriel, 
Gottlieb Kncepfer and Margaret Kncepfer. In 1866 the church edifice, 
corner of Fifth and Ann Streets, was erected at a cost of about $4,000, 
and was dedicated in September of that year by Rev. M. Schnierly. 
Among the earlier pastors were Revs. Gottlieb Widmann, George 
Schatz, Charles Stuckemann, Jacob Feisel, A. Holzbeierlein, Philip 
May and W. Meyer. The earliest Presbyterian society in Wyandotte 
was organized in 1857, and existed until the close of the war, when it 
was discontinued. A new organization was effected by Rev. Alexan- 
der Sterrett in 1881. The First Baptist Church (colored) was organ- 
ized in 1862. and a frame building on Nebraska Avenue erected in 



^^ — - ^ — ^l^ 

830 HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



1869. In 1881 the society had grown so large that its trustees pur- 
chased the site for a more commodious church structure, corner of 
Fifth Street and Nebraska Avenue. The Reorganized Church of Jesus 
Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized in October, 1877, with 
seven members — George Hay ward, presiding elder. William Newton 
was in charge of the society. The leading idea of their faith was that 
the gospel of Jesus Christ and His agents always has been the same 
from the beginning. Faith, repentance, baptism by immersion for the 
remission of sins, the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy 
Ghost, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment, are the car- 
dinal principles of their belief. This organization took Joseph Smith 
as its guide, repudiating Brigham Young and all polygamists as apos- 
tates from the true faith. The Congregation of Disciples of Christ 
was organized Christmas, 1881, through the efforts of Dr. Gentry and 
Messrs. Johnsou, Reeves, Edwards and a number of lady members. 
Chiefly through Dr. Gentry's untiring exertions a church building was 
erected on Barnett Street, between Sixth and Seventh. The African 
Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by Rev. Felix Landor in 
May, 1880. Mr. Landor was formerly a slave in Louisiana, and, be- 
ing owned by a French master, spoke that language. At the close of 
the war he was converted from the Catholic faith, educated by the 
Freedmen's Aid Society in New Orleans, and sent to this held in Feb- 
ruary, 1880. The society built a comfortable brick church, corner of 
Seventh and Ann Streets. A Baptist Church was organized in Wyan- 
dotte in the spring of 1862. The German Evangelical Church dates its 
existence from February, 1882. Rev. Charles Kraft was first pastor. 

Such was the sequence of the advent of different religious denom- 
inations in Wyandotte County and Kansas City. Most of the organi- 
zations exist to this day, and will be found mentioned in the following 
paragraph. Some of them are yet in the houses of worship mentioned 
above. Some have removed into better quarters ; some are now build- 
ing, or contemplating building new church houses. All have, pros- 
pered under God's blessing, and have done and are doing good work 
for civilization and enlightenment. 

Baptist. — First, 2 South First Street, Rev. R. Williams, pastor; 
First (colored), Nebraska Avenue, northwest corner of Fifth Street, 
Rev. Daniel Jones, pastor; First, of Armourdale, 621 Mill Street, 
Rev. R. W. Arnold, pastor; First Swedish, 646 Ohio Avenue, Rev. 
Christopher Silene, pastor; Mount Pleasant (colored), Third Street, 
southeast corner of Freeman Avenue, Rev. Marcus Mack, pastor; 



•f* ts~ 



-f. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 331 



Mount Zion, 417 Virginia Avenue, Eev. E. M. Martin, pastor; Pleas- 
ant View (colored). 941 Everett Avenue, Rev. James Jennings, pastor; 
Rose Hill Missionary (colored), 825 New Jersey Avenue, Rev. Abner 
Windom, pastor; St. Paul Free-Will (colored), 1047 Everett Avenue, 
Rev. Edward Johnson, pastor; St. Philip's (colored), 346 New Jersey 
Avenue, Rev. M. Phillips, pastor; Wyandotte, Sixth Street, northeast 
corner Nebraska Avenue, Rev. W. B. Wiseman, pastor. 

Christian. — The Christian, 606 Barnett Avenue, Rev. James M. 
Dunning, pastor; First (colored), Eighth Street, northeast corner of 
Everett Avenue, Rev. William Hancock, pastor; Mission (colored), 
south side State Avenue, near Sixth Street, Rev. J. D. Smith, 
pastor. 

Congregational. —First, 1109 North Fifth Street, ReV. J. D. 
Dougherty, pastor: Pilgrim, west side Seventh Street, between Cen- 
tral and Reynolds Avenues, Rev. Horace D. Herr, pastor. 

Episcopal. — St. Paul's, Sixth Street, northwest corner .inn Ave- 
nue, Eev. John Bennett, pastor. 

Evangelical German Zion, 645 Orville Avenue, Rev. Louis Klee- 
man, pastor. 

Latter-Day Saints — Reorganized Church, 734 Colorado Avenue, 
William Newton, president. 

Methodist. — African, Ann Avenue, northeast corner of Seventh 
Street, Rev. John Turner, pastor; Forest Grove, 254 Balke Street, 
Rev. Frederick Soper, pastor; German, Fifth Street, northeast corner 
of Ann Avenue, Rev. C. C. Harms, pastor; German, 717 St. Paul 
Street, Rev. J. J. Steininger, pastor; Gordon Place, 2106 North 
Eighth Street, Rev. Seymour A. Baker, pastor; Highland Park, Pa- 
cific Avenue, southwest corner of Seventh Street, Rev. W. T. Elliott, 
pastor; St. James (colored), 929 Freeman Avenue, Rev. G. W. Pat- 
ten, pastor; St. Peter's (colored), 409 Oakland Avenue; Seventh 
Street (South), Seventh Street, northeast corner of State Avenue, Rev. 
Frank Syler, pastor; Tenth Street, east side St. Paul Street, first east 
of Osage Avenue, Rev. William A. Crawford, pastor; Washington 
Avenue, Washington Avenue, northeast corner of Seventh Street, Rev. 
A. H. Tevis, pastor; Wood Street, 830 North First Street, Rev. John 
A. Simpson, pastor. 

Presbyterian. — Central. 419 South Seventh Street, Rev. C. E. Mc- 
Cane, pastor; First, Sixth Street, southwest corner of Minnesota Ave- 
nue, Rev. Franklin P. Berry, pastor; Grandview Park, Reynolds 
Avenue, southeast corner of Seventeenth Street, Rev. C. W. Backus, 






f 



.^ 



k. 




pastor; Western Highlands, Greeley Avenue, southeast corner of 
Twelfth Street. Rev. C. W. Backus, pastor. 

Roman Catholic. — St. Anthony's (German). 615 North Seventh 
Street, Rev. Aloysius Kurtz, pastor; St. Bridget's. 67 North First 
Street, Rev. C. D. Curtin, pastor; St. Joseph (Polish), 805 Vermont 
Avenue, Rev. F. Luacek, pastor; St. Mary's, Fifth Street, southwest 
corner of Ann Avenue, Rev. Anthony Kuhls, pastor; St. Thomas, Pyle 
Street, northwest corner of Shawnee Avenue, Rev. J. F. Lee, pastor. 
The pride of the Catholics of Armourdale is their Cathedral, which is 
now being erected at a cost of $40, 000. It will be a truly magnificent 
structure, of cut stone, and, for the capacity, the finest in the State. 
The building will be 61x135, and, from basement to spire, 225 feet 
high, with a bell weighing 2,500 pounds, completed inside with hard 
wood, oil finish. The basement is now finished, and services are 
being held there. This, in the near future, will be used as a Sunday- 
school, and the first story, which will have a seating capacity of 1,200, 
for services. 

The beginning of the religious history of the five townships which, 
with Kansas City, comprise the county at large, was nearly coincident 
with their settlement. Christianity took root early, and has prospered 
greatly in all parts of the county, its statistics at this time being as 
follows: 

Baptist — Number of church organizations, 12; aggregate member- 
ship, 1,026; number of church edifices, 8; value of church property, 
$36,050. Christian — Number of church organizations. 6; aggregate 
membership, 510; number of church edifices, 5; value of church prop- 
erty, $12,000. Congregational — Number of church organizations, 4; 
aggregate membership, 302; number of church edifices, 4; value of 
church projaerty. $12,000. Dunkard — number of church organizations, 
1; membership, 22. Episcopal — Number of church organizations, 1; 
membership, 53; number of church edifices, 1; value of church prop- 
erty, $28,815. Methodist Episcopal — Number of church organiza- 
tions, 9; aggregate membership, 756; number of church edifices, 2; 
vahie of church property, $47,800. Presbyterian — Number of church 
organizations, 2; aggregate membership, 325; number of church edi- 
fices, 2; value of church property, $56,000. Roman Catholic — Aggre- 
gate membership, 6,554; number of church edifices, 7. Swedish Luth- 
eran — Number of church organizations. 1; membership, 25; number 
of church edifices, 1; value of church property, $1,000. 

It will be seen that the Baptists Lave the largest number of organ- 



^l 



SI 

1 



Hl 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



333 



izations, the Roman Catholics have the largest membership, the Bap- 
tists and Methodists have most houses of worship, and the Presbyte- 
rians the largest amount of church property. The value of the church 
property of the Roman Catholics can not be given, but it may exceed 
that of any other church. There is also in the county (in Kansas City) 
one organization of Latter-Day Saints, or Mormons. The Catholics 
have parochial schools, with an average yearly attendance of about 
800. 

St. Margaret's Hospital is purely a charitable institution, and was 
founded five years ago by Father Anthony Kuhls, who has been in the 
past, as he is now, its worthy head. Here it is that the good sisters 
attend the sick or maimed, and during the five years of faithful service 
the institution has never refused admission to any one needing care 
or medical attention when there was room within the establishment 
for him. The institution cares for the Kansas City patients at the 
rate of 65 cents per diem, and in all other cases, where persons have no 
means of their own, they are provided for by the funds of the insti- 
tution, which are raised each year by subscription. 




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334 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



CHAPTER XYIII. 



QuiNDAiio A Famous Pioneek Town— Town Company— Rapid 
Growth- Rush of Immigrants- Rival Towns— Road to Law- 
KENCE— Steamer Lightfoot- Decline and Fall of Quindauo- 
RosEDALE — Its Progress-Incorporation— First and Successive 
Officers — Development— xVrgentine— Its Town Company — 
Incorporation — Officers — Smelting Works — Industries — 
Churches — Societies — Press — Edwardsville — Indian Chief 
Half-Moon — Edwardsville Cemetery— White Chukch— Bethel 
—PoMEEOY— Connor— Turner Smelting Works— Bonner (Sara- 
toga^ Springs— Civil Townships. 



Ex-Gov. 



' Build yet, the end is not, build on; 
Build for the ages unafraid. 
The past is but a base whereon 
These ashlars, well hewn, may be laid. 
Lo, I declare I deem him blest 
Whose foot, here pausing, findeth rest! 



F QUINDARO, a famous pioneer town of the 
State of Kansas, and a promising rival of Wyan- 
dotte, but little is now known except in history. 
It was founded and fostered by such men as 
Joel Walker, Abelard Guthrie, Gov. Charles 
Uobinson and Samuel N. Simpson, who con- 
stituted the original town company — all men 
of ability and spirited enterprise. In building it up 
and heralding it far and wide as a great future city, they 
were assisted by a host of Free-State men. During the 
reign of terror of 1856, when Kansas City. Leavenworth, 
Delaware City and Atchison were closed to Free-State 
men, several fugitives had, at different times, by the 
assistance of Mr. Guthrie, who owned much of the land 
in the vicinity, embarked from this point and passed 
down the river in safety. Probably this fact induced 
Robinson and his friends to select the site of Quindaro. 




i > 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 835 



Several localities were examined, but the rocky channel of the river at 
Qnindaro and the warm support given the project by Mr. and Mrs. Guth- 
rie, finally decided the matter. Principally through the negotiations 
of Mrs. Guthrie, a Wyandotte lady of royal blood, who.'se father was 
chief of the Canadian Wyandottes, land was purchased by the com- 
pany from several members of the tribe, and in December, 1856, was 
surveyed by O. A. Bassett. The town was surveyed to cover lands ex- 
tending from the center of Section 29 to the western boundary of Sec- 
tion 30, and embraced all of fractional section 19 in Township 
10 south. Range 25 east. It was bounded north by the Mis- 
souri River, and extended far enough back to average about three- 
fourths of a mile in width. Its southern boundary was 480 rods in 
length, east and west, and on account of the direction of the river its 
northern boundary was some longer. The town was named Qnindaro 
in honor of Mrs. Guthrie, whose maiden name was Qnindaro Brown. 
The town officers chosen were: Joel Walker, president; A. Guthrie, 
vice-president; C. Robinson, treasurer; S. N. Simpson, secretary. 
On January 1, 1857. ground was first broken on the town site, but lit- 
tle building was done until spring. Three or four buildings, however, 
were erected by April 1, among others the Qnindaro House, the sec- 
ond largest hotel in the Territory — foar stories, 60x80 feet. It was 
opened in February, 1857, being the first hotel in the county. In 
May, a considerable force of men was put to work grading the ground 
near the wharf, and Kansas Avenue, the main street running south 
from the river. The Chin do wan made its appearance on the 13th of 
that month, and in the first is3ue showed its happy faculty of adver- 
tising a new town in the way such business should be done to make 
an impression. Professional men already were swarming into Qnin- 
daro. Real-estate aud'land agents were plentiful. There were R. P. 
Gray, Charles Chadwick, H. J. Bliss, M. B. Newman, R. M. Ains- 
worth. Blood, Bassett & Brackett, and Charles Robinson (agent for 
the Boston Land Trust). Lots were sold for exorbitant prices, and 
all kinds of real estate was exceedingly high. For many months the 
appearance of the place argued in favor of the fnlfillment of the wild- 
e.st anticipations of its most sanguine projectors. Dr. George E. Bud- 
ington advertised as a physician; F. Johnson and George W. Veal, as 
dealers in general merchandise; William J. MeCown and Ed D. 
Buck, ditto; H. M. Simpson, O. H. Macauley, J. Grover and S. C. 
Smith, forwarding and commission merchants; Charles B. Ellis, civil 
engineer and surveyor; Ireland & McCorkle, carpenters and joiners; 



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336 



HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



Fred Klaus, who had a quarry a short distance from town, stone cut- 
ter and mason ; A. C. Strock & Co. , drugs and medicines. Dr. J. B. 
Welborn having an office in the same building; William Shej)herd 
and D. D. Henry, hardware. The largest saw-mill in Kansas, subse- 
quently erected and started by A. J. Rowell, in the fall, was talked 
of; a large ferry-boat, one of the largest on the Missouri River, and 
actually put in operation by Capt. Otis Webb in the summer, was 
building; Messrs. Robinson, Gray, Johnson, Webb and others were 
rushing around for subscriptions to build the Quandaro, Parkville & 
Burlington Railroad, to obtain connections with the Hannibal & St. 
Jo. ; the Methodist Church was built; Hon. Henry Wilson, who arrived 
May 24, on the steamer New Lucy, was furnished with rooms at the 
Quindaro House, and made a little speech to the citizens before he 
continued on to Lawrence; shares of the town company were going 
clear out of sight of the $100 from which they started, and, all in all, 
the spectacle was presented of a town wild with hope, and riding, ap- 
parently, on to success. Everyone was everybody's friend. Gold cir- 
culated as freely as water, and in the spring and summer of 1857, few 
thought it necessary to take security of any kind. The significance 
of the meaning of the word Quindaro Chin-do-ican, as explained by 
Messrs. Walden & Babb, its proprietors, seemed about to be gloriously 
realized. Chin-do-wan is a Wyandotte word, meaning leader, and 
Quindaro appeared to be taking the lead in everything. Quindaro is 
also a Wyandotte word, and, freely translated, signified "In union 
there is strength" — and certainly all the citizens in Quindaro were 
pulling together. Quindaro was a temperance town, the lots having 
been deeded with the stipulation that they should not be occupied by 
liquor dealers. Some groggeries had crept in, however, by June, 1857, 
and the women petitioned and the men acted, and cleaned them out on 
the 17th of that month and year. By July the ferry-boat, 100 feet 
long, with a twenty six-foot beam, was running between Quindaro and 
Parkville; the road to Lawrence was in prime condition, and Messrs. 
Robinson & Walker were operating a daily line of stages. The next 
grand triumph was the completion of the saw-mill in October, which 
cut 15,000 feet of lumber daily. Building continued; there was no 
end of public confidence in the grand future of Quindaro. She was 
a rival of Kansas City, Leavenworth, Atchison and Wyandotte. 

In the spring and summer of 1857 the people of Quindaro assisted 
in building a road to Lawrence, and they also built a road in the direc- 
tion of Shawnee and erected thereon a free ferry across the Kansas 



^ 



ifT 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



337 



River, with a view to competing for the wholesale trade of the iute- 
rior of the Territory. The mail at this time was brought to the Ter- 
ritory by steamboats. It is said that there were then sixty-live lirst- 
class steamers in the Missouri River trade, all of which did a success- 
ful business. The Quindaro company went to Cincinnati and had 
the Lightfoot, a light draft steamer, built, and established a steamboat 
line to Lawrence ; Wyandotte followed suit, and Kansas City, Mo. , not 
to be outdone, also embarked in navigating Kansas River. 

By June, 1858, Quindaro boasted 100 buildings on her town site. 
many of them of a substantial, metropolitan appearance. The Chin- 
do-wan kept up its trumpeting, and was taken possession of by V. J. 
Lane (who had been an energetic Quindaroan since the spring of 
1857), G. W. Veale and Alfred Gray. They also published the Kan- 
sas Tribune in the fall and winter of 1858-59. The publication was 
continued for the benefit of the town company until 1861, when it 
was removed to Olathe. But the glory of Quindaro was already fad- 
ing, and when the Second Cavalry, under Col. Davis, quartered them- 
selves there at the commencement of the war, and handled the city so 
roughly, she gave up the ghost and is no more. The half dozen 
buildings comprising the station of Quindaro are so desolate that they 
hardly could be honored with the name of settlement. In 1871-72 
the old town site was vacated — first the western and then the eastern 
portion. 

In explanation of the fall of Quindaro it is suggested by some old 
citizens that her location was uninviting; that the lay of the land was 
such that a city could not be built near the river without making too 
expensive grades, or as one has expressed it, "they could not get the 
city down to the river," while at AVyandotte the land rose gradually 
from the river bank near the water line, thus affording an easy landing 
and access to it without much grading. Again, Wyandotte and Kan- 
sas City, both rivals of Quindaro, were located directly at the junc- 
tion of two navigable rivers, instead of on one as was the case with 
Quindaro, thus making them more attractive to immigrants. How- 
ever, whatever the cause or causes may or may not have been, the fact 
exists that Quindaro fell, and her site as a town has been vacated, 
while Wyandotte has been merged into and forms the greater part of 
Kansas City, Kas., the metropolis of the State, a city of about 40,000 
inhabitants. 

The Quindaro Cemetery, including the two acres reserved by the 
Government in the Wyandotte treaty of January 31, 1855, and known 



J ry 



388 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



as the ■' Old Wyandotte Burial Ground," situated in the southwest 
part of Section 31, Township 10 south, Range 25 east, was surveyed 
and laid out into lots, drives and walks, in January, 1874, by the 
Quindaro Cemetery Association, of which S. D. Stoors w as then presi- 
dent, and W. W. Dickinson, secretary. The new cemetery, together 
with the old one, contains seven acres. 

Rosedale, situated on Turkey Creek and on the Kansas City, Fort 
Scott & Gulf Railroad, four miles southwest of the Union Depot, and 
occupying portions of Sections 27, 33 and 34, in Township 11 south, 
Range 25 east, was surveyed and platted as a town in May, 1872, by 
James G. Brown aad A. Grandstaff the original proprietors. The 
building of the town was commenced in 1875, the rolling mills having 
been erected in that year. It was not until the year 1877, however, 
that the town contained the necessary population of 600 to entitle it 
to a government under the law providing for the existence of cities of 
the third class. August 3 of that year. Judge Stevens ordered an 
election to be held on the 28th of the same month for the election of 
city officers. The officers elected for the ensuing year were: Mayor, D. 
S. Mathias; councilmen, John Hutchinson, Sr., Henry Juergens, 
William Bowen, John Haddock, Benjamin Bousman; police judge, Ed- 
ward Blanford; city clerk. William Dauks. Mayor Mathias held his 
office several successive terms. His successor in 1882 was D. E. 
Jones. The mayors since then have been W. C. Boyer, 1883; D. E. 
Jones, 1884; w". H. Spencer, 1885; D. E. Jones, 1886-88; B. M. 
Barnett, 1889, and J. M. Kilmer, 1890. The present council is com- 
posed of S. J. Jones, president; J. E. Fisher, F. A. McDowell, W. 
C. Copley and C. Schoeller. D. J. Leavengood is clerk. 

The churches of Rosedale are the Methodist Episcopal, Roman 
Catholic, Baptist and Presbyterian. The secret societies are the 
Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workmen and Ancient 
Order of Foresters. The Methodist Episcopal Church edifice was 
erected in 1881, at a cost of 12,000. The Roman Catholic is the 
oldest church organization in the city, having come into existence in 
1876. It built a church edifice the following year, which, in Febru- 
ary, 1881, was consumed by fire. It had, however, previously com- 
pleted the frame church on Kansas City Avenue. In 1882 the colored 
Baptists built a church at a cost of 11,000. 

The Kansas City Rolling Mills were established in Rosedale in 
1875, and did a large amount of business for a few years, when they 
closed up and the business was discontinued. 



"S \' 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 339 



The Kansas City Journal, of January 1, 1890, in reviewing the 
business of Rosedale for the past year, says: "It has fine schools, 
plenty of churches, famous mineral waters, evenly blocked streets, 
perfect sewerage and street car accommodations in all directions. But 
Rosedale has by no means stood still during the past year, showing 
unusual activity in business and building. Among other matters that 
have been done is the building of the Eighth Street Bridge, which will 
give direct communication with Armourdale and Kansas City, Kas., 
over which street cars will run every few minutes, opening up the back 
country here, and causing all Shawneetown to pass through the city 
on their way to the court-house and other public buildings. Dur- 
ing the past year the city has equipped and organized a tine hook 
and ladder company — one of the most necessary things that this city 
has needed for years. Several miles of sidewalks have been built, and 
new streets opened in all directions. Street cars run all through to 
Kansas City, Mo., without changes, and the electric light system and 
water-works system will be in operation before the year closes. Among 
the buildings erected during the past year are Bell & Rose's fine brick, 
which cost $10,000; Dr. Bell's tine stable and improvements, $3,000; 
Kemp's hall, $2,500; the McGeorge block, the finest in the city, of 
solid cut stone, three stories, elegantly finished, costing some $7,000; 
the post-office building, erected by W. C. Copley, the postmaster, a 
very neat structure, devoted entirely to post-office matters, and an 
ornament to the city and convenience to the public; new colored 
school; neat store of George Rose; the Park Hotel, a very neat build- 
ing; W. H. Mann's new hardware store, and a number of other smaller 
dwellings, etc." 

The thriving young city of Argentine is situated on the south bank 
of the Kansas River, three miles from it mouth. The location of the 
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe transfer depot here was rendered neces- 
sary in order to find room for their side tracks, round-house, coal chute 
and sheds. This location on the south bank of the river is pleasant, 
convenient, dry and rpomy. A town sprung up here at once, and, as 
the different business interests have continued to select this as a loca- 
tion for manufacturing, the town has grown accordingly. The town 
site proper is a subdivision of Sections 20 and 2U, Township 11, Range 
25 east. It was platted in Novemljer, 1880, and originally contained 
sixty acres. James M. Coburn was proprietor of the first town site. 

The Kansas Town Company, of Wyandotte County, was organized 
under its charter of date of April 9, 1881, capital, $100,000; incor- 



^; 



r 



340 HISTOBY OF KANSAS. 



porators, William B. Strong, George O. Manchester, Joab Mulvane, 
E. Wilder, J. R. Mulvane, the same being directors for the first year. 
The officers elected were Joab Mulvane, president and manager, and E. 
Wilder, secretary and treasurer. There were purchased for this company 
some 415 acres of land in Sections 20, 21, 28, 29, Township 11, Range 
25 east, in Wyandotte County, Kas. , and after turning over to the Kan- 
sas City, Topeka & Western Railroad what was desired for railroad 
purposes, the remainder, some 360 acres, was platted and put upon 
the market as Mulvane' s Addition to the town of Argentine. 

In 1882 Judge Dexter, having become satisfied that this young 
city had a sufficient number of inhabitants to entitle it to a city gov- 
ernment, ordered an election to be held on the first Tuesday in August, 
1882. The following are the names of the officers then elected: 
Mayor, G. W. Gully; councilmen, John Steffins, A. Borgstede, W. C. 
Blue, Patrick O'Brien and George Simmons; police judge, A. J. Dol- 
ley; marshal, Charles Duvall; city clerk, J. H. Halderman. Since 
that year the mayors of the city have been as follows: David G. Bliss, 
1883; John A. Healy, 1884; G. W. Gulley, 1885; T. J. Enright, 1886- 
87; G. W. Gulley, 1888; Steven March. 1889. The city was incor- 
porated as a city of the second class in October, 1889, and the follow- 
ing are its present officers: William McGeorge, mayor; C. T. Wortman, 
police judge; C. E. Bowman, treasurer; John C. Long, city clerk; E. 
Z. McCulloch, president council; S. March, chief of police. 

In October, 1881, District No. 40 was made a separate district, to 
include the city of Argentine, and the following school board was 
elected: A. T. Smith, president; John Steffins, treasurer; William 
Erwin, secretary. 

During the winter of 1881-82, a very successful school was 
taught. The colored children attended a separate school taught by a 
colored lady. The necessity of a public school building now becom- 
ing apparent, on August 28. 1882, an election was held to vote bonds 
to the amount of $7,000, for the purpose of building a school-house. 
The bonds were carried and the building was erected. 

The Consolidated Kansas City Smelting Company, with head- 
quarters at this city and smelting works at Argentine, El Paso and 
Leadville, is the largest smelting and refining company in the world. 
The company's smelting works have a capacity of 23,000 tons of ore 
per month, or 276,000 tons per annum. The total refining capacity 
reaches the enormous amount of 50,000 tons of lead and 20,000,000 
ounces of silver per year. The output of the works at the present 



^^(! 






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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 341 



?k 



time amonnts to nearly one-tifth of the total lead and silver prodiTcts 
of the United States. The company employs at its Argentine works 
an average of 400 men the year round. Eighteen acres of land at 
Argentine are occupied by the company's plant. The Argentine works 
comprise what is undoubtedly the most complete metallurgical estab- 
lishment on the continent. The central location at Argentine enables 
the company to reach all ore markets of the West, both north and 
south. The supplies are drawn from Idaho, Mintana, Utah, Colorado, 
Neve Mexico, Arizona, Texas. Missouri, and the mining districts of old 
Mexico. To reach these markets and supply itself with the ores 
necessary for the different smelting works, the company employs a 
large number of agents and ore buyers, who are located at mining 
camps and ore markets. These agents are men who have, by college 
education or thorough practical experience, fitted themselves for their 
important duties. The marketing of the vast product is done at the 
o-eneral office in Kansas City and the three branch offices in St. Louis. 
Chicago and New York. 

The management of the affairs of the company is conducted by an 
efficient corps of smelting and financial men, who are also public spir- 
ited gentlemen. At Argentine and the other smelting works, the 
company has erected a number of cottages, which are rented to mar- 
ried employes at a very low rate. A free reading room is also main- 
tained at Argentine, where the current numbers of magazines, mining 
papers and also a full supply of writing material are kept on hand for 
the use of employes. Mr. A. R. Meyer, president of the company, is 
also president of the Provident Association, and is prominently con- 
nected with the public enterprises of the city. The company was or- 
ganized nine years ago and is recognized as one of the most successful 
business enterprises in the United States. 

The Santa Fe Railroad has its yards and roundhouses, telegraph 
and freight offices situated here, and employs, it is estimated, some 200 
men. The city's radiator works, the only exclusive one in the United 
States, are situated also at this point. The improvements done in this 
town within the past year are estimated at some $750,0(10. Argentine 
in 1888 had 3.264 inhabitants, in 1889, 4,235, and at the present time 
some 6,500. It keeps on steadily increasing and shortly will take a 
leading place among metropolitan cities. 

The Argentine Real Estate Investment Company and Loan Com- 
pany, of which Mr. Norton Thayer is manager, has done much to- 
ward making Argentine what it is to-day. Having under their control 










what is known as the West End Addition, comprising some of the finest 
residence locations, they have offered inducements that have been 
readily accepted by parties settling in Argentine. The numerous ad- 
vantages this addition has, are, that it is situated within the city limits 
and within easy access of transportation, has the most improved sys- 
tem of water works and is thoroughly lighted by electricity. The ad- 
dition has some of the finest residences in Argentine built upon it, 
and which are now being daily added to, to supply the demand which 
is increasing rapidly. 

The Argentine Bank commenced business on February 1, 1S87, 
from which time it has steadily increased, its "motto" having always 
been conservative and careful business since the day of commence- 
ment, which has won the good will and esteem of the citizens of Ar- 
gentine. 

The proprieters are among the oldest inhabitants of the county, 
and have records worthy of investigation. The officers are: Nicholas 
McAlpine; G. A. Taylor, cashier, and J. F. Barker, assistant cashier. 

The Congregationalists of this city have held services in this town 
since the summer of 1881, but it was not until May 21, 1882, that 
the church was organized. It commenced with a membership of 
forty-five. They were temporarily using a building for divine service 
while devising ways and means for the erection of a church, when the 
wind of June, 1882, which destroyed so much church and school prop- 
erty in Eastern Kansas, almost completely destroyed their house of 
worship. Then was their opportunity, and in three months they had 
completed their new church building, corner of Kuby Avenue and 
Second Street. Other churches since organized and now existing in 
the city, are the Baptist, Methodist Episcopal, Colored Baptist, 
Colored Methodist Episcopal, Protestant Episcojial and Roman 
Catholic. The following benevolent societies have lodges in the city: 
Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order United Workmen, Ancient Order 
of Foresters, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Eastern Star, 
Grand Army of the Republic, Sons of Veterans, Women's Relief 
Corps, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Daughters of 
Rebekah. 

The Argentine Republic, a neatly printed and well edited seven- 
column folio, is published every Thursday bj^ Joseph T. Landrey, its 
editor and proprietor. The thirty-second number of its third volume 
is dated July 12, 1890. It was established by Mr. Landrey. 

The following description of the thriving city of Argentine, show- 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 343 



ing what it contains, the value of its property, and its prosperity, was 
published in the Kansas City Journal of January 1, 1890: 

" Since Argentine has become a city of the second class, she has sud- 
denly jumped into prosperity and has put on metropolitan airs. She 
now has the finest water- works system possible, while its electric lights 
shed a radiance that can not be improved upon. The police force 
has been organized, placing men to guard the city day and night, 
which causes the best of order to prevail. Next are the electric 
street ears running through the leading streets in the city, making 
their terminus for the present at Metropolitan Avenue and Third 
Street. The Santa Fe road is building a line new dejjot, and is now 
running trains every hour at a 5-cent fare to Kansas City, Mo. The 
Metropolitan Street Railway are running their electric cars on perfect 
schedule time, starting at 5:30 a. m., and terminating at 11:30 p. m. 
This affords ample opportunity for all to live here and attend liusi 
ness or pleasure in Kansas City, Mo., for a 5-cent fare, making the 
run in about thirty minutes. It is causing hundreds to flock here, and 
tenement houses are not to be. had. The beautiful locality, fine 
scenery and easy way of access to and from all points, causes it to be 
desirable for homes for all. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe have 
also put on a suburban train, running eighteen trains each day be- 
tween West Argentine and Kansas City, Mo. The same company is 
also putting up a new depot for the accommodation of its many pas- 
sengers. Few have any idea of the great improvements of ISSU. 
They foot up quite rapidly, and may be easily estimated at 1750,000. 
The smelter company alone has expended •?100,000 in additions, etc., 
and the past year exported 118,000,000 in silver bricks, giving em- 
ployment to nearly 500 men. Among the most notable improvements 
are Booker's fine residence, Christ's residence, Parker's dwelling, 
Noke's elegant stone opera house, Argentine bank, blocks of fine 
red brick, Boergstede brick block, one of the finest in the city; 
Knnze's cut stone block, Probst fine frame block, Rickert's frame 
building, Chancy' s frame dwelling, iron foundry, water works and 
electric light plant. Argentine in 1888 had 3,26-1 inhabitants; in the 
spring of 1889, -1,235, and at present time over 6,000. The school 
attendance during the year is excellent, as shown as follows: The fol- 
lowing is the enrollment of scholars at the old school: Total, 415; 
daily attendance, 325; average, 78 per cent. West End Addition en- 
rollment, 229; daily attendance, 175; average per cent, 76. North 
Aigentine enrollment, 202; daily attendance, 137; average, per cent. 



•<* (S~ 



i "V 



75. Total enrollment, 846; average daily attendance, 635. Total 
school children, male, 409; female. 437. Tardy, females 241; males, 
215; total, 456. Number of days in attendance, 12,311. 

" The following statement, returned by Township Trustee McMahon, 
who has completed a report of the aggregate value of personal prop 
erty and improvements made in Shawnee Township up to March 1, 
1889, is as follows: Peiisonal property in Shawnee Township, 1102,- 
444; improvements on Argentine lots, $80,000; Rosedale improve- 
ments, $30,000; value of milk sold in Argentine, $40,575; value of 
horticultural products sold, $39,945; amount of personal property in 
Argentine, $71,441; amount of Rosedale personal property, $37,605; 
value of farm implements, $11,177; value of poultry sold, $2,245. 
The report also gives the number of fruit-trees in the township. The 
above statistics should make every citizen of Argentine feel proud. 
Prof. Sortor, who has just completed the school census, announces that 
marriage is no failure in Argentine, as shown by the report that 
Argentine has 1,112 children for the year 1889, against 700 for the 
year 1888, an increase of 412. 

" The following is a complete list of what Argentine has, and shows 
that the citizens here lack nothing, for they have 1 bank, 1 ilorist, 5 
hotels, 1 dentist, 5 dairies, no vagrants, 4 tinners, an Owl Club, 6 
churches, 1 j)lumber, 4 lawyers, 2 bakeries, 1 city park, 6 preachers, 
1 post-office, 2 railroads, 8 painters, 1 book store, 6 restaurants, 3 
laundries, beautiful streets, 1 union depot, 1 opera house, 5 public 
halls, 1 notion store, 1 planing-mill, 1 cornet band, 40 machinists, 3 
shoe shops, 2 livery barns, 1 lumber yard, 2 undertakers, 3 telephones, 

1 harness shop, 1 cigar factory, 3 drug stores. 1 tire company, 2 wagon 
shops, 10 meat markets, 9 barber shops, 4 billiard halls, 12 physicians, 

2 city draymen, 3 news stands, 60 car repairers, 50 stone masons, 3 
stock buyers, 5 stove repairers, 1 telegraph office, 2 jewelry stores, 1 
city jail (empty), 2 large foundries, 8 music teachers, 1 carriage factory, 

3 clothing stores, 20 brick masons, 4 dry goods stoves, 1 5 grocery stores, 
5 real estate offices, 8 millinery stores, 12 stone quarries, 4 blacksmith 
shops, 3 hardware stores, 12 secret societies, 12 school teachers, 3 fur- 
niture dealers, 3 insurance agents, 2 express companies, 6,000 popula- 
tion, cement and paint works, 2 veterinary surgeons, 56 boarding- 
houses, 5 boot and shoe stores, a home theatrical troupe, an electric 
street-car line, 8 coal and feed dealers, a band stand in the city park, 
the Jake White-Feather Spring, pays 180,000 per month for labor, 1 
steamboat and 12 barges, 1 building and loan association, 1 loan and in- 



f 




vestQieat corapany, S dressmaking estaljlishments, 2 dealers in music- 
al instruments, 2 merchant tailoring establishments, 000 scholars in 
the public schools, 2 new iron bridges (the finest in the State), ex- 
pended $600,000 in building in the past year, 150 carpenters and con- 
tractors, 12 city wells that can not be pumped dry, smelts 118,000,000 
worth of precious metals per year, the largest smelter in the world 
and employs 900 men. the only exclusive radiator works in the United 
States, finer residences than any town in Wyandotte County, the best 
system of water- works and electric lights in the State, a roundhouse 
and the finest railroad yard in Kansas and the finest power-house for 
electric light and water-works in the State. A more prosperous city is 
not to lie seen anywhere. 

' • The West End Addition to Argentine promises, at an early day, to 
become the center of the business portion of the city, and why 'i" ' Be- 
cause of its rapid growth, its fine buildings, excellent roads and streets, 
nice sidewalks and its general central locality, and, especially, its close 
proximity to all the packing-houses, foundries and other manufacto- 
ries located in Armourdale just across the river, connected by two fine 
bridges. In fact, the larger portion of the citizens of Argentine live 
in the West End portion of the city, and if the dividing line was 
drawn, there is but little doubt but the bulk of the population would 
be foLind iu the West End. It is here the Santa Fe's large freight 
houses, machine shops, roundhouses, depot, telegraph and fi'eight 
offices are located. The cement works have also a large plant here. 
Here are the canning factory, planing-mill, radiator works, corrugated 
iron works, lumber and coal yards, and other smaller industries, employ- 
ing about 400 men, while within a mile, on a direct, excellent road, 
good all the year round, is situated the Turner Furniture Factory, also 
the mammoth Turner Smelter, which will employ about as many more 
hands, making a total of not less than 800 to 1,000 people employed, 
all mechanics, showing at a glance and in a few words that there need 
be no idle hands in the West End Addition. Much has been said about 
the getting to and from Kansas City, Mo. This has now all been ob- 
viated by the completion and running of the electric street cars through 
to Argentine, they running from 5:30 a. m. to midnight to Kansas 
City. Mo., for a 5-cent fare, lauding one in the heart of the city in 
about thirty- dve minutes from the lime of leaving home. This line is 
universally acknowledged to be the finest equipped in the United 
States. Independent of this, the Santa Fe road has put on special 
trains at greatly reduced fares between here and Kansas City, Mo.. 




■14V 



thus showing that rapid transit is now in full working order. In 
addition to this the West End is lighted with electric lights, has a per- 
fect water-works system, and now has a regular police force, is fully 
represented in the council and school b«ard, and in general is metro- 
politan in everything except taxes, which are but a mere nominal 
amount. Its excellent schools, churches etc. , cause property here to be 
highly desirable for the working man to purchase and build his home. 
Property is not held as yet at fancy lignres, although it possesses 
so many advantages which are now in actual force, and not a promise 
of what might or will be. Mamifactories are now commencing to lo 
cate here rapidly, and negotiations are pending for a number of plants 
which will build this summer. Property in this addition is held at 
less than half the price of equally as well located property the same 
distance from Kansas City, Mo. Investors and home seekers are sure 
to find here a safe and profitable investment. The company's offices 
are in rooms 16 and 17, Gibraltar Building, Kansas City, Mo., and on 
the ground, at Argentine." 

During the early part of the year 1881), a number of local capital- 
ists, among whom were Col. W. N. Ewing, H. H. Reynolds, James D. 
Husted and Mr. John Lovelace and his sons, perfected the organization 
of the Turner Smelting Company, with a capital stock of $300,000. 
Donations of land amounting to 150 acres, a short distance west of Ar- 
gentine, were secured, and during the summer work was commenced on 
the extensive smelting works. The buildings are completed, and the 
works have been in operation since July, 1890. The works have a 
capacity about equal to the Kansas City Smelting & Refining Com- 
pany's Works at Argentine, and when well under operation 500 men 
will be employed. It is estimated that this company will turn out a 
product of from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 annually. This company 
was first organized with a capital of $300,000, and it was deemed 
best, instead of bonding its property, to increase the capital stock 
$200,000 in order to raise the requisite operating capital, the directors 
feeling confident that no industrial stock was ever offered here having a 
brighter future for earning good dividends, or as a safe investment. 
The property of the company consists of 150 acres of land, worth 
at least $150,000, and the works costing $100,000, all free of debt, 
aggregating a total valuation of $250,000, for which stock has been 
issued, leaving in the treasury an unissued 500 shares, which with the 
increase, makes 2,500 shares for sale, with which to buy ores and 
operate the plant. These works were planned by and built under 




'k^ 



the personal siipervision of Mr. H. Webb, one of the leading practical 
experts of the United States in this line (this being the seventh smel- 
ter he has built), and the directors spared no pains to make this 
smelting and refining plant one of the most perfect, effective and 
economical in the world. Every valuable improvement in the art is 
taken advantage of, and the most competent and successful smelters 
and refiners in the country who have visited this new plant do not 
hesitate to say that they can suggest no improvement at any point; 
that the location selected is the best they ever saw for the purpose of 
economy and dispatch. The best of lime rock for fluxing, and an 
abundance of clear water, are immediately at hand. The pitch of 
the hill and the firm foundation it affords, together with the advan- 
tage of using gravitation, instead of men and machinery, to do the 
heavy work, contribute largely toward making this plant exceptionally 
economical in its operation. The directors of the company are L. E. 
Irwin (president), W. N. Ewing, N. McAlpine, S. G. Douglas, J. D. 
Husted, R. K. Pitkin, E. E. Richardson, Charles Lovelace, P. H. 
Tiernan, John Smith and H. H. Reynolds. 

A new enterprise of importance, started in 1889, is the Turner 
Furniture Manufactory. The company was organized in the spring, 
and a $10,000 plant was completed some time in July and placed in 
operation. The manufactory has been running at its fullest capacity 
with twenty-five men employed, and has been unable to keep up with 
orders. Large additions are contemplated as a means of increasing 
the capacity. 

Edwardsville is a station on the Union Pacific Railroad, located 
on the southeast quarter of Section 26, in Township 11 south, 
Range 23 east, in Wyandotte County, being about three miles 
south and eleven miles west of the mouth of the Kansas River. It 
was named for Hon. John H. Edwards, then general passenger and 
ticket agent of the road, since then a State Senator from Ellis County, 
Kas. The land where this rural village now stands was once the farm 
of Half-Moon, a chief of some degree among the Delawares. He sold 
the land to Gen. T. Smith, of Leavenworth, and others, who in turn 
sold it to William Kouns. A post-office was established in 1867. 
The Methodist Episcopal Church effected an organization in 1868, 
and had quite a large membership. In 1868, through the personal 
influence and direct labors of William Kouns, the county commission- 
ers created the town of Delaware, in which Edwardsville is located. 
It was platted in 1869, the proprietor being Mr. William Kouns. 

^ € r- -.« eh^ 



^^ 




Some time in 1870 the Christian (Jhurch was organized here. Com- 
j)osit Lodge No. 152, A. F. & A. M. , was organized here in 1872. 
but in 1877 surrendered its charter. The village now contains three 
general stores, a railroad depot, express and telegraph offices, stock 
yards, a blacksmith and wagon shop, two church edifices — Methodist 
Episcopal and Christian — a brick school-house, etc., and has a popula- 
tion of about 50(). 

Edwardsville Cemetery, containing three acres, was laid out in 
1879. Ivy Walk runs through the center from the entrance, and Dak 
Avenue is a circular street through the grounds, departing from and 
returning to the entrance. There are numerous other walks, and the 
grounds contain 342 burial lots. 

In November, 1870, John McDaniekl and his wife, Ellen, laid out 
the village of Tiblow on the north bank of Kansas River, on the line 
of the Kansas Pacific Railway, on parts of Sections 29 and 32, in 
Township 11 south, Range 23 east. The site was surveyed to contain 
ten blocks, each being subdivided into lots. There being very fine 
springs of medicinal waters at this point, the idea was conceived 
to make it a summer health resort and a suburban residence town for 
people doing business in Kansas City, it being seventeen miles from 
the Union Depot in that city. To this end the Bonner Springs Com- 
pany was organized, and in November, 1885, the town of Bonner 
Springs, adjoining Tiblow on the northwest, was surveyed and laid out 
to contain nineteen blocks of various sizes, each subdivided into lots of 
different sizes. D. R. Emmons was president and James D. Husted 
secretary of this company. 

Subsequently the property in the town site remaining unsold was 
transferred to the Saratoga Springs Town Company. This company 
also purchased lands adjoining, and laid out some additions, and fitted 
up Saratoga Park, including the springs. A thousand acres in all 
have been subdivided into 7,038 lots. Many lots have been sold and 
many residences have been erected. The place contains several stores, 
the railroad buildings, good church and school privileges, and about 
500 inhabitants. It is a beautiful place with pleasant surroundings, and 
is free from smoke, dust and all nuisances. The park contains sixty 
acres, which is supplied with flowers, foliage, springs, streams and lake. 
Daily excursion trains run between the Union Depot in Kansas City 
and Bonner Springs. A large hotel— the Coranado— is open at the 
park. The offices of the company are at 809 Main Street, Kansas 
City, Mo., and 523 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas Citv. Kas. 






r 



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White Church, on the Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern 
Railroad, about nine miles west of Kansas City on a direct line, is a 
pretty little hamlet, and is the historical scene of the old Delaware 
Mission and the building of the " White Church," for the benefit of 
the Indians. It is about three miles south of Pomeroy, which is on 
the Missouri Pacific Railroad. It contains one general store, a school- 
house, a church — Methodist Episcopal, South — and a few dwelling 
houses, with a population of about 50. A Ma.sonic lodge was char- 
tered here October 20, 1870. 

Bethel, on the Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern Railway, 
and on the northwest quarter of Section 32, Township 10 south, 
Range 24 east, was laid out by the White Church Town Site and Im- 
provement Company, in May, 1SS7, when D. D. Hong was president 
and W. H. Young, secretary. It lies nine miles west by rail from . 
the mouth of Jersey Creek, at Kansas City, and 300 feet above that 
place. It is also about three-fourths of a mile northeast of White 
Church. It now contains a large general store, brick and terra cotta 
works, a railroad depot, telegraph and express office, a town hall, 
blacksmith and wagon shojJ, etc. It is very pleasant!}- situated, and, 
lying on the ridge, as it does, above the mosquito line, it is never in- 
fested with these troublesome insects. From this point can be seen 
Kansas City, Leavenworth. Parkville, and other points in the distance. 
Bethel is designed as a suburban residence town for the two Kansas 
Cities. Many lots have been sold to parties in the cities, who contem- 
plate building residences here. 

Piper, also situated on the Kansas Citv, Wj'andotte & Northwestern 
Railroad, on the southwest corner of Section 28 and the northwest 
corner of Section 33, in Township 10 north. Range 23 east, was laid 
out in September, 1888, by L. E. Scott, Margaret Scott, John Wald- 
ron, Ella L. W^aldron. W. S. Brown and S. A. Brown, the proprietors 
of the town site, embracing forty acres. The village contains two gen- 
eral stores, a blacksmith and wagon shop, railroad depot, telegraph 
and express office, etc. , and a population of between 200 and 300. 

The town of Pomeroy, on the Missouri River, and on the Missouri 
Pacific Railroad, on Section 20, in Township 10 south. Range 24 
east, was laid out in May, 1871, by William P. and Sarah M. Over- 
ton, and Frank H. and Susanna Betton. It has never risen above the 
dignity of a village, containing at this writing a railroad depot, a 
general store, a flouring- mill, school-house, union church and a few 
dwelling houses. It is about ten miles distant from Kansas City. 



-*-^- 



^t 



350 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Connor City was laid out in February, 1S68, by Alfred W. Hughes 
and William Hughes, on the southwest quarter of Section 12, in Town- 
ship 10 south, Range 23 east. All the streets were made sixty feet 
wide and the alleys sixteen feet wide. The lots in size were 42 feet 
front by 126 feet in length. The town is platted on both sides of 
the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and Connor's Creek passes through it. 
It was surveyed and platted by Samuel Parsons in January, 1868. 
It contains a railroad depot, telegraph and express office, a school- 
house, dwelling-houses, and a population of between 200 and 300. 

In addition to the foregoing there are a number of post villages 
throughout the county, each containing a post-office and store. 

Of the civil or municipal townships of Wyandotte County, Quindaro 
and Wyandotte were originally organized while the territory compos- 
ing them belonged to Leavenworth County. Quindaro was re estab- 
lished April 5, 1869. It now comprises all that part of the county 
lying immediately north of the second standard parallel south, and 
east of the line dividing Ranges 23 and 24 east, being all of fractional 
townships in Township 10 south, in Ranges 24 and 25 east, and being 
bounded north and east by the Missouri River. Wyandotte Civil 
Township embraces all the land in Township 11 south, in Ranges 24 
and 25 east, which lies north of the Kansas River; and Shawnee Civil 
Township embraces all the land in the same township, and ranges 
lying south of the river. The latter township was organized as here 
described April 5, 1869. Delaware Civil Township was established 
January 4, 1869. It embraces all of Townships 11 and 12 south, 
lying north of the Kansas River, in Range 23 east. Prairie Civil 
Township was established March 8, 1869. It embraces all of Town- 
ship 10 south, in Range 23 east, and is in the northwest corner of the 
county, Delaware adjoining it on the south and forming the southwest 
part of the county. 



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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



351 



CHAPTER XIX. 



OuKiiN OF Wyandotte— Indian Occupancy— 1'nited States Indian 
Agency— First Temperance Society— First Jail— Wyandotte 
Indian Convention— Treaty of 1855— Land Office— Sti^rvey of 
Wyandotte— Kusii of Immigration— Rapid Growth— First En- 
terprises — Election in 1857 — Scene at the Wyandotte Conven- 
tion IN 1859— First Post-office— Death of the Members of the 
Wyandotte City Company— Incorporation— Roster of Officers 
— City Addition's— Former Kansas City— Armourdale — Press- 
Meetings at Wyandotte September 4 and 23, 1875— Predictions 
AS to the Future Metropolis— Consolidation— Governor's 
Proclamation. 



' We have no title deeds to liouse or lands; 
Owners and occupants of earlier dates 
From graves forgotten stretcli their dusty hands. 
And hold in mortmain still their old estates." 

OT without truth may it be said of the city of 
Wyandotte (now a part of Kansas City, Kas. ), 
that it had a double origin, one by the W'yan- 
dotte Indians, v?hen they settled its site in 
1843, and one by the whites when it was SUV- 
'S veyed and platted by a body of men known 
as the Wyandotte City Company, in 1857. 
.\s heretofore mentioned in connection with the settle- 
'iii»nt of the cotmty, the Wyandotte Indians occupied 
he site of Wyandotte City in the fall of 1843. J. M. 
Armstrong erected his log-cabin (the first house on the 
site) and moved into it December 10 of that year. One 
week later Mrs. Catharine Long and her family moved 
into their cabin on the north side of Jei'sey Creek. 
John W. Grayeyes was at this time building a hewed- 
house on the west side of the present Third Street. 
This afterward became a part of the residence of Joel 
Walker. Dr. Grayeyes built a cabin on the opposite 
side of the road, and Robert Robitaille built and resided on the same 





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s "V ' 



352 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



side, near the present corner of Nebraska and Third Streets. The 
United States blacksmith to the ^Vyandottes, Charles Graham, came 
during the winter of 1843-4-1, and erected his shop and residence near 
the northwest corner of the same streets. A company store, in which 
most of the leading Wyandottes had shares, was located between 
what are now Kansas and Minnesota Avenues, west of Third Street. 
It was a long log building, divided into two departments, the store- 
room and a back room, used in jjart for a council house. Joel Walker, 
who had the management of the store, was clerk of the council. 

On the hill, on Kansas Avenue, opposite Cunning's Hall, Henry 
Jaques, one of the chiefs, built his residence, which he afterward sold 
to the nation for a jail. He then erected his second residence on the 
Dunning' s Hall site. From May, 1845, to the spring of 184U, this was 
occupied as a United States agency. Silas Armstrong built two cabins 
near the location of McGrew's slaughter house, and resided there un- 
til 1846, when he removed them to a location west of Fifth Street 
near Kansas Avenue, and in 1848 built his brick residence, afterward 
known as the Eldridge House, which burned in the summer of 1864. 
Francis Driver built on the Kansas Kiver bluffs, near the ferry, and 
Sanahas, father of John Sanahas, and Charles Splitlog, settled in the 
same neighborhood. Matthias Splitlog was with Jaques, and in 1845 
he married his great-niece, Eliza Barnett. William Walker built a 
double hewed-log house on the north side of Jersey Creek, and moved 
into one end of it in May, 1844. He and a young man from New 
York, who helped him do the work, camped there during the winter of 
1843-44. Walker named the creek. Just west of Walker's house 
was the Methodist Episcopal parsonage, completed in July, 1844. 
The same month the first school was opened in the new building on 
the east side of Fourth Street, between Kansas and Nebraska Ave- 
nues, by John M. Armstrong. The winter of 1843-44 was mild, and 
only the wealthier Wyandottes built houses; all the others from lack of 
means were compelled to live in camps. It was the expectation of 
the Wyandottes, based upon governmental promises, that an appro- 
priation of 1100,000 would be granted them that session of Congress. 
The chiefs divided the town called Wyandotte into acre lots, upon 
which the}' intended to build, their farming lands being out of town, 
but the remainder of the improvement fund was not paid over then, 
nor until October, 184^5, and they did not even then obtain it until 
after three delegations had gone to Washington to plead their cause. 
But from the time the W^yandottes purchased the Delaware lands, 



ll£ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 353 



they paid $4,000 annually out of their annuity fund. Thus it came 
about, because of their scarcity of funds, and doubt as to the future, 
that the town of Wyandotte did not improve more rapidl}'. Disease 
was also busy in the midst of the nation, the cause of it being the 
great tlood of 1844, described elsewhere in this work in connection 
with the settlement by the Wyandottes. The species of sickness 
which prevailed the most and made the most havoc in the nation, 
were chills and fever and bloody flux. It it stated that there was not 
a single well person in the nation by the latter part of the fall of 
1844. The town of Wyandotte having these discouragements of 
poverty and sickness to contend with, could not be expected to grow, 
neither did it. The building of the first church and tirst parsonage 
is related elsewhere. 

A temperance society was organized among the Wyandottes as early 
as the winter of 1844-45, it having its origin substantially in this 
wise: In December, 1844, a prominent member of the nation moved 
his household goods over from Westport. There being no bridge, he 
loaded them into a flatboat on the Missouri side, and engaged of his 
tribe to bring them up the river and land them at Wyandotte. It 
happened that they were under the influence of liquor, and having 
propelled the boat to the mouth of Turkey Creek, left it there to float 
away and lose its contents. This misfortune suggested the formation 
of a temperance organization, the first in the Territory. But although 
the temperance society was strong and influential, a sterner remedy 
for the increasing evil was found necessary; consequently a jail was 
built in the fall of 1840, on the spot previously mentioned, and its 
first occupant, a man, was locked up for being drunk. Afterward a 
Wyandotte man got hold of a Mormon Bible, and induced another 
woman to live with him when he already had a wife. For this otfense 
both he and the woman were locked up in the jail. Notwithstanding 
the temperance society, drunkenness continued, and during the conflict 
between the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, South, or between freedom and slavery, which was 
practicably the same contest, disorder and drunkenness increased 
among the Wyandottes to a great extent. In June, 1851, the Wyan- 
dottes held a national convention, composed of all men over eighteen 
years of age. This convention elected thirteen delegates, who formed 
a constitutional convention to revise the laws of the nation. The con- 
vention sat several weeks, and the constitution as drafted by John M. 
Armstrong, was unanimously adopted. Having received his legal 



^. 



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,u 



354: HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



education in Ohio, Mr. Armstrong had in his possession the laws of 
that State, and the principal features of the constitution were drawn 
from that source. 

By the treaty of January 31, 1855 (given elsewhere in this work), 
provisions were made whereby all competent Wyaudottes should be- 
come citizens, and their lands should become subject to purchase by 
the white settlers. Following this, the next important event was the 
landing in Wyandotte on September 10, of that year, of Gen. Cal- 
houn, with the surveyor-general's office. Robert Ream, father of Vin- 
nie Ream, the sculptress, was chief clerk, Samuel Parsons was chief 
clerk in the Indian department, and Edwin T. Vedder, Robert Ream, 
Jr., and Pennymaker were clerks in the office. The land office was 
opened in a double log-house opposite the site of Dunning' s Hall. 
Just in the rear of the surveyor-general' s office stood the jail, a log- 
pen 10x12 feet in size, in which a Wyandotte Indian, named Pea- 
cock, was confined for murder. The prisoner had a reed flute of 
Indian manufacture, with which he kept up a constant strain of 
annoying music. In time, the men in the land office, wishing to get 
rid of the annoyance, and not having the fear of the Indian nation's 
law in their minds, broke down the prison door and bade the prisoner 
escape, which he did. Being subsequently pardoned by the Wyan- 
dottes he returned. 

When the white settlement began, after the making of the treaty 
above mentioned, it was found that the Indian village of Wyandotte 
had not assumed proportions as a town of much importance, though it 
was admirably situated for a place of great future commercial inter- 
ests. The Indians received their lands in severalty under the treaty, 
but owing to the delay in obtaining their patents from the Government, 
they were unable to convey their lands by title deeds to the white set- 
tlers until 1857. Having become citizens, the time was ripe for a 
union with any white settlers who might make their appearance. 
They could now transact business on equal terms, and their opportu- 
nity soon arrived. In December, 1856, Dr. J. P. Root and Thomas 
B. Eldridge came from Lawrence to Wyandotte for the purpose of 
selecting a good town site for a company of Eastern friends and capi- 
talists who were anxious to invest their money to advantage. All but 
these two remained in Kansas City. Messrs. Root and Eldridge were 
entertained over night at the house of Silas Armstrong, and in the 
morning looked over the ground. They found that Isaiah Walker 
was busy running a variety store and post-office on the north side of 

fy xa ^ 

T 



J, 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 355 



Nebraska Avenue, between Third and Fourth Streets — the same build- 
ing afterward used as a court-house. Thomas Barker was then sales- 
man; Maj. Overton was a partner of Silas Armstrong. The bottom 
between Wyandotte and Kansas City was then nearly covered with a 
heavy growth of timber, except a few small dwellings near the State 
line and near the mouth of the river. There was also a small opening 
amid the heavy growth of thickets made years ago when the Govern- 
ment thought of locating the fort at Wyandotte instead of Leaven- 
worth. The mouth of the Kaw was nearly one-quarter of a mile 
farther east than it is now, owing to the washing away of the Missouri 
River. The ground was well looked over, and the scouts returned to 
their friends on the Missouri side the nest night and made arrange- 
ments to form a town company, the members of which were J. P. 
Root, T. B. Eldridge, S. W. Eldridge, W. Y. Roberts, Thomas H. 
Swope, Robert Morrow, Daniel Killen, Gaius Jenkins, John McAlpine 
and James M. Winchell. Messrs. Roberts, McAlpine, Swope and 
Jenkins were appointed a committee to go to Wyandotte and see what 
could be done toward inducing certain former members of the nation 
to join the company. The members of the town organization on the 
Missouri side waited some days for the committee to report; became 
uneasy and came to investigate; discovered that their agents had 
formed a company with Isaiah Walker, Joel Walker and Silas Arm- 
strong, among the most influential members of the former Wyandotte 
nation, who were owners of the site. There was naturally some high 
talk between the two town companies, but a compromise was effected, 
according to Dr. Root, by which there was to be an equal division of 
profits. To avoid a long explanation, however, it is generally stated 
that the town company consisted of these four white men and the 
three Wyandotte Indians. In March, 1857, the town site was surveyed 
by John H. Millar, of Girard, Penn. , who, upon his maps, makes the 
following statement: '"The present city company is formed of seven 
original stockholders, three of whom are Wyandottes. They purchased 
the lands forming the town site from the Wyandotte owners, who are to 
receive patents for these lands as soon as they can be issued. The 
Government commissioners completed the assignment to these Wyan- 
dottes on the town site, early in February, 1857." 

The following is the survey of the boundary lines of the site of 
the town as surveyed by Mr. Millar: Commencing at the northeast 
corner of the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 3, 
Township 11 south. Range 25 east; thence west 60 poles to a post 



i fy 



iLh. 




from which a walnut, 7 inches in diameter, bears north 31 i°, west 22 
feet; also another walnut, 7 inches in diameter, bears south 71°, west 
35 feet; thence south 124 poles to a post from which a lynn 22 inches 
in diameter bears north 23f °, west 94 feet; thence west 53|^ poles to 
a post from which a hackberry, 18 inches in diameter, bears south 
2'J|^°, east 35 feet distant; thence south 36 poles to a post, from which 
a white oak 20 inches in diameter bears north 65°, east 16 feet; 
thence west 46|^ poles to a post, from which an elm, 28 inches in 
diameter, bears north 30| east, 33 J east; thence north 80 poles to a post 
from which a lynn, 14 inches in diameter, bears north 56 ' , east 7 feet; 
thence west 14 poles, from which a black oak, 12 inches in diameter, 
bears south 58|°, east 15J feet; thence north 80 poles to a post from 
which a walnut, 18 inches in diameter, bears north 25|°, east 10 feet; 
thence west along the quarter-section line for a distance of 210 poles to 
a post from which a hickory, 13 inches in diameter, bears south 9| \ west 
34 feet; thence south 80 poles to a post; thence west 23 J poles to 
a post; thence south 42 poles; thence west 66§ poles to a post; thence 
south 38 poles to a post, being the southwest corner of the southeast 
quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 4, Township 11 south, 
Range 25 east, from which corner a white oak, 20 inches in diameter, 
bears north 75J°, east 26 feet; also another white oak, 22 inches in 
diameter, bears south 5|°, west 38 feet; thence continuing on south 
102 poles 9 links to a post: thence east 30 poles and 3 links to a post; 
thence south 7 poles and 12 links to a post 3i feet west of the north- 
east corner of Tauromee and Twelfth Streets; thence east 3 poles and 8 
links to a post; thence south 4 poles and 21 links to a post; thence 
east 46 poles and 4 links to a post; thence south 7 poles and 14 links 
to a post; thence east 79 poles and 15 links, to a post, from which a 
lynn, 15 inches in diameter, bears north 67 J°, west 63 feet; also another 
lynn, 15 inches in diameter, bears north 52i°, east 72 feet; thence north 
78 poles and 4 links to a post; thence east 64 poles and 10 links, to a 
post; thence north 41J poles to the center line of Kansas Avenue; 
thence east 80 poles and 19 links to a post on the center line of Kan- 
sas Avenue, and also on the west line of Seventh Street, said post 
being 78^ feet south of and 220 jiu west of the northeast corner of the 
northwest quarter of Section 10, Town 11 south. Range 25, east; 
thence south 145?j poles to a post; thence east 12 poles 21^ links to a 
post; thence north 70 poles to a post, from which a walnut, 5 inches in 
diameter, bears south 4^°, east 16 feet; also a white oak, 15 inches in 
diameter, bears south 87°, east 77 feet; also a walnut, 3 inches in diame- 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 357 



ter, bears north 51 , west 25 feet; said corner being the northwest 
corner of the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 
10, town and range aforesaid; thence east -16 1 poles to a post, from 
which a white oak, 16 inches in diameter, hears south 44°, west 35^ feet; 
thence north 18 poles to a post, from which a jack oak, 28 inches in 
diameter, bears north 2^. east 91 feet distant; thence east io^ poles to 
a post, from which a jack oak, 26 inches in diameter, bears north 70^°, 
west 83 feet; thence south 18 poles to a post from which a lynn, 22 
inches in diameter, bears north 1°, east 126 J feet; thence oast 22 poles to 
a post, from which a white oak, 10 inches in diameter, bears south 66 |" , 
west 24 feet; thence south 38 poles to a post, from which a walnut, 4 
inches in diameter, bears north 67|^" , east 92 feet; thence east 16 poles to 
the southwest corner of ''Armstrong's saw-mill lot;" thence north 
26 poles and 3 links to the northwest corner of said saw-mill lot, said 
corner being SO feet east of the northeast corner of Block No. 156. 
and 80 feet south of the southwest corner of Block No. 154; thence east 
25 poles and 18 links to the western boundary of the Ferry tract; 
thence north 30", east 72 poles and 2 links to the northwest corner of 
said Ferry tract; thence east to the left bank of Kansas River; thence 
down said Kansas River with the meanders thereof to its junction 
with the Missouri; thence up said Missouri River with the meanders 
thereof to a point due east of the beginaing; thence west to the begin- 
ning, containing 653i3dS(j^ acres. 

If the reader will draft these lines upon paper, he will see that the 
tract of laud covered by the original town was a very irregular one. 
This was occasioned by the refusal of certain land owners to sell to the 
town company. The streets and alleys were laid out to run north and 
south and east and west, excepting Ferry, which was given an angle 
of 30 degrees east of north; the highways running north and south 
were called streets and were numbered successively from east to west, 
and those running east and west were called avenues, a local name be- 
ing given to each. Afterward, when the county was organized, the 
original plat of the town was tiled for record, and recorded September 
28. 1859. When the town was laid out, the greater portion of its site 
was covered with a dense growth of timber. Upon the organiza- 
tion of the town company, Silas Armstrong became president; W. Y. 
Roberts, secretary; Isaiah Walker, treasurer, and John McAlpine, 
trustee, to receive conveyances of the lands bought, and on sale of lots, 
to convey to purchasers. There were about 400 shares, ten lots to 
the share. Sales began in March, 1857, when the survey had been 



:^ 



358 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



completed, and brought $500 a share. There were laid out four ave- 
uue.s, each 100 feet wide, rauning from the Missouri River two miles 
west through the heart of the city. These were to be the great thorough- 
fares of commerce. Of public grounds, there were the levee, extend 
ing from the northern boundary of the " Ferry Tract " to the north- 
ern boundary of the town, and from the front lots to the river. " Oak- 
land Park " was bounded by Washington Avenue on the north, Elev- 
enth Street on the west, Kansas Avenue on the south and Tenth Street 
on the east — 650x028 feet. The rush of immigration to the new town 
was immense, and almost instantaneous. Houses could not be built 
fast enough to shelter the comers; carpenters readily obtained $5 a 
day in gold; lumber was in hot demand; saw mills went up as if by 
magic. Collins and Rogers built at the foot of the bluffs, north of 
Judge Walker's; Armstrong & Overton had a mill in Wyandotte City. 
Strangers from all parts of the country, and some from Europe, were 
here to invest their money, many of them purely for speculative pur- 
poses. Goods were piled up on the levee and people lived in tents until 
they could get houses erected. Shares of the company sold so rapidly 
at 1500 that they were advanced to S750,when about "200 of them had al- 
ready been sold. The avenues were graded as far west from the levee 
as Fourth Street; Second, Third and Fourth Streets were also graded, 
after selling a short time at $750, the shares were advanced to §1,000 
apiece. The prospect now was that the entire town site would be 
bought out of the company's hands, and the balance of the shares 
were accordingly withdrawn from the market. Delay in making con- 
veyances to the swarm of settlers, who almost threatend the very ex- 
istence of the town company, caused much hard feeling and positive 
threats of violence against the members; but the matter was finally 
readjusted. Roads were now being laid out from Wyandotte in all 
directions; but the year 1857 may be considered her season of greatest 
business activity. The bulk of her trade was then transacted on Ne- 
braska and Washington Avenues, east of Fourth Street. Besides the 
quite extensive array of business houses, two newspapers were being 
published, to advertise the town — the Telegraph, by M. W. Delahay, 
and the Democrat by Mr. Abbott. The physicians were represented liy 
J. C.Bennett, F. Speck, J. Speck and J. P. Root; the attorneys by Bartlett 
& Glick, Davis & Post, J. W. Johnson, B. Gray and D. B. Hadley. 
At this time the population of Wyandotte was about 400, and the in- 
habitants were wild with enthusiasm, and almost splitting with (not 
suppressed) laughter at the attempt of Gov. Robinson and his Free- 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 359 



State friends to found the town of Quindaro, four miles above. But 
a short time thereafter their despised rival gave them good reason to 
fear that their laughter would have to be turned to tears. 

Early in the spring of 1857 John McAlpine built a large ware- 
house on the levee between Washington and Nebraska Avenues, and 
carried on an extensive forwarding and commission business. The 
upper story of this warehouse served as a town hall up to the time 
Dunning erected the one on Fourth Street. The levee at that time 
extended fully as far out as the sandbar in front of the city. The 
frame building on the corner of Third and Nebraska, Hains' shoe 
shop, the old council house, McAlpine' s cottages (built in the rear of 
what has since been known as Frederick Kramer's bakery), the old 
Mansion House on Nebraska Avenue, and four other buildings con- 
sumed by fire early in 1866, Capt. I. N. White's tin shop, on the 
corner of Third and Nebraska, the Garno House, and a host of other 
buildings, sprang into existence during the summer. In order to ac- 
commodate the immigration during the spring and summer of 1857, 
the Eldridges opened a hotel in Silas Armstrong's residence, and Col. 
F. A. Hunt purchased the "St. Paul," an old Missouri River steam- 
boat, anchored it at the foot of Washington Avenue, and fitted it up 
for a hotel and warehouse. As has been stated Isaiah Walker opened 
the first store in Wyandotte, while it was an Indian village. He was 
joined in August, 1856, by Thomas J. Barker, and the name of the 
firm became Walker & Barker. The next stores were opened by James 
Chestnut, and the firm of Parr, Boyd & Co. In 1857 Joseph Rosen- 
wall and Lepman Myers opened stores, and about 1858, the firm of 
Zeitz & Busche established their store. Other merchants then fol- 
lowed in siTch rapid succession that it is not practicable to name them. 
In 1857 the ferry across the Kaw or Kansas River was at a point near 
the present cable line bridge. It consisted of a flat boat, which was 
propelled by means of a rope stretched across the river. In proof of 
the great amount of travel and transportation across the river to the 
newly laid out city, is the fact that the receipts of tolls at this ferry, 
for the single year of 1857, amounted to 17,000, and the charges for 
crossing on the ferry were not exorbitant, but reasonable. The popu- 
lation of Wyandotte during its first two or three years of existence 
was composed of representatives from nearly every State in the Union, 
and from nearly all nationalities of the globe, and the result was a 
great laxity in morals. 

At this time, 1857, there was but one voting precinct north of the 



> "V ' 



3H0 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Kansas Eivei-, in the present Wyandotte County. The election for 
delegates to Congress and for county officers was held in the McAl- 
piue cottages on Third Street, on October 5. A squad of soldiers was 
stationed at the polls to protect the voters and preserve the peace and 
dignity of the Territory of Kansas. Each voter climbed into the build - 
ing through a window at the west end, announced his vote to the 
judges, passed through the room, and jumped off a high porch at the 
rear of the cottage. This election was held under the "bogus laws." 
Early in 1857 Mr. Dickenson was employed by the Wyandotte 
Company to build a lirst-class wagon road from the town of Wyandotte 
to Lawrence, on the north side of Kansas River. He performed his 
work satisfactorily, Quindaro buildiog most of the bridges. At the 
same time a road was constructed from Quindaro to intersect the 
Wyandotte and Lawrence road at a point a few miles west. This 
road to Lawrence followed the dividing ridge between the Missouri 
and Kansas Rivers as far west as Wyandotte County now extends, 
passing by or near Pratt's Mission. It was a very good road, and it 
was perfectly easy to drive over it on a trot from the levee at Wyan- 
dotte to Lawrence. A Concord coach, drawn by four horses, left 
A\'yandotte and Quindaro in the morning and at noon of each day. This 
road, and also the Quindaro branch, ran in direction of the objective 
point without any regard to section lines, and was mostly through the 
Delaware reservation. As the countr\' became settled and improved, 
it was closed at various points and changed to the section lines, so 
that now it is almost wholly obliterated fi-om the original line. Sub- 
sequently Quindaro, as a last effort to control the trade from the 
W' est, secured a bill from the Legislature appointing commissioners to 
lay out a road running west from that town. These commissioners 
were Hon. W. A. Phillips, since a member of CoDgress; Hon. O. B. 
Gunn, now of Kansas City, Mo., and Charles Chadwick, then a resident 
of Quindaro. This commission laid out the new road on an air-line 
west of the landing at Quindaro on the Missouri River, regardless of 
the topography of the country, and thus was commenced a system of 
roads in direct lines, which tended to destroy the old diagonal roads. 
Also in 1857 Wyandotte, in order to secure the trade from the 
country south of the Kansas River, and to prevent it from going to 
Westport and Kansas City, Mo., constructed a road to Shawnee, in 
Johnson County. A ferry was established across the Kansas River on 
this road a few rods below the present Argentine bridge. Quindaro. 
the then rival of Wyandotte, looked out for the same trade, and ac- 



rnr 




>> 



cordingly built a road south from that place, and ero-sed the Kansas 
River on a ferry about a mile above the Wyandotte ferry, and inter- 
sected the Wyandotte and Shawnee road at a point some distance 
south of the river. 

In 1858 a bridge company was organized at Wyandotte with Dan- 
iel Killen, superintendent; Thomas J. Barker, treasurer, and J. W. H. 
Watson, secretary. The same year this company built the first bridge 
across the Kansas River, it being located on the Wyandotte and Shaw- 
nee road. It was built on piles, and was all made of native timbers. 
The contract for the Iiuilding of the bridge was let to Jones, Kidney 
& Co., for about l'28,()O0. The money was raised by subscription. As 
Wyandotte continued to grow and jirosper, she succeeded in drawim^ 
a portion of the trade from the south side of the river, and perhaps 
Quindaro drew a small portion of that trade while she existed, but 
notwithstanding all efforts to draw the trade north of the river, the 
people on the south side could go to Westport and Kansas City, Mo., 
withoiat crossing any river, and consequently the latter city has event- 
ually absorbed the most of that patronage. 

The old ferry across the Kansas River, near the present cable-line 
bridge, continued to be used until 1863, when a pontoon bridge was 
placed across the river near its mouth. This latter bridge was in use 
when Gen. Price, with his Confederate army, invaded Missouri in 
1864. It was probably more of a war measure than of a local con- 
venience, and being only a temporary thing it was not long continued. 

In the spring of 1858 that dreadful disease, erysipelas, made its 
appearance among the people of Wyandotte and vicinity, and in many 
cases proved fatal, the number of deaths being somewhat large. But, 
notwithstanding the disasters and disadvantages incident to most newly- 
settled countries, which the people had to endure, the town continued 
to improve and prosper. 

The following item of history pertaining to Wyandotte is taken 
from the Andreas History: "The meeting of the delegates to the 
Constitutional Convention, which took place at Constitutional Hall, 
Wyandotte, July 5, 1859, is more a State event than one of local in- 
terest, and is treated as such in its proper place. Suffice it to say, 
however, that the present constitution of the State was adopted on the 
29th of that month, and, locally treated, the subject will be disposed 
of by an extract from an article by William A. Phillips, who, thus 
describes the place of meeting: ' The lower floor of the block where 
it was held was mostly unoccupied: that block now exists no longer. 

23 I I 

—r I W 




1 



It sufFered from too great economy in brick and mortar: the water 
from the blufP was permitted to undermine its foundation. Like an- 
other building named in Holy Writ, it ultimately fell, and great was 
the fall thereof. In the second story, during the session of the con- 
vention, wag a saloon. In the center of the large, unplastered room, 
on one side, a bar was hastily improvised. A broad plank, resting 
upon a couple of emjjty barrels, constituted the counter. Behind was 
a narrow plank or shelf, resting on two other barrels, evidently not 
empty, at least a faucet was inserted in each near the base. On the 
top of each barrel was a small blue keg, each of which had another 
faucet. Scattered along this shelf were decanters and long-necked, 
dark-complexioned bottles. On one end of the shelf was an open box 
of raisins, perched longitudinally, and with a few boxes of cigars, a 
piece of cheese, a box of crackers, and a box of plug tobacco, consti- 
tuted the saloon. A few tumblers and lemons, with a 'bowl of sugar, 
lemon-sqiieezer, and a flaring tin cup, in which to shake up punches, 
completed the outfit. The floor was covered with sawdust to avoid an- 
noyance to the solons above, and also to absorb rejected quids of to- 
bacco. The fine arts were represented by a picture of the ' Bird of 
America ' cut from an old hand-bill and tacked to the wall. Over all 
presided the smiling and genial Boggs. Another flight of stairs car 
ried you into the room where the solons were at work. It was about 
twenty-five feet wide and eighty long. It was not plastered, but ex- 
tended from front to rear of block. There were three windows in 
front and three in rear. It was ten feet high. The roof was of com- 
position, called patent. The president's seat was on the south side of 
the room, near the center; it was on a raised platform; seats, tables 
and desks were provided by the citizens of Wyandotte for members, 
clerks and reporters. An oificial look was procured by tacking on 
black muslin. There was also a railing, to either keep spectators out 
or hold the members in. The ' flag of our country ' was draped on the 
wall in the rear of the president's chair.' " 

The first post-otfice was opened in the spring of 1857, by Thomas 
J. Barker, in the old court-house building on Nebraska Avenue, where 
he and Isaiah Walker were keeping store. He brought the mail from 
Kansas City, Mo. , on horseback. William Chick, of the banking firm of 
Northrup & Chick, maintained the service in that city for the first year 
at his own expense. The Wyaudottes were great readers, as a rule, 
and it was as much to accommodate them, as for any other reason, 
that the post-oflSce in Kansas City was established. In 1863 Mr. 



A 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 363 



Barker was succeeded as postmaster by R. B. Taylor, who held the 
office three years. E. T. Vedder, who followed him in 18()6, remained 
Init a short time, being succeeded by A. D. Downs, who remained 
until 1881, when George B. Eeicheneeker was appointed and held the 
office until 1885. He was succeeded by V. J. Lane, who held the 
office until he was succeeded in 1889 by O. K. Serviss, the present 
incumbent. 

Of the seven members composing the Wyandotte City Company, 
only one is now living, and that one is Thomas H. Swope, who lives 
in Kansas City, Mo. Joel Walker died at Leavenworth, in the sum- 
mer of 1857, the same year the town was laid out. Gains Jenkins was 
shot by Gen. Lane, at Lawrence, in the summer of 1858. Silas Arm- 
strong died in December, 1895, at Wyandotte, and his remains lie 
entombed in the Huron Place Cemetery. John McAlpine was killed 
by the cars in Pittsburg. W. Y. Roberts died in Lawrence, and more 
recently, Isaiah Walker died in the Indian Territory. 

The town of Wyandotte was tirst incorporated by the following 
order of court: 

"Be it known that on this 8th day of June, A. D., 1858, in open 
court came Charles S. Glick and presented the petition of B. Gray, 
A. B. Bartlett, Daniel Killen and other resident taxpayers of the fol- 
lowing described territory, the same being in the township of Wyan- 
dotte, in the county of Leavenworth and Territory of Kansas, to wit: 
Commencing on the eastern boundary of the Territory of Kansas, 
where the same is intersected by the second standard parallel ; thence 
west on said parallel line to the northwest corner of Section four (4), 
Township eleven (11), Range twenty-five (25); thence south to the 
southwest corner of Section nine (U), township and range above said; 
thence east to the middle of the Kansas River; thence by the middle 
of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers to the place of beginning; asking 
that they be incorporated by the name and style of ' The Inhabitants 
of the Town of Wyandotte,' within the above metes and bounds, and 
that they may have a local government established therein. And the 
court being fully satisfied that said petition is subscribed by two- 
thirds of the resident tax-payers and voters therein, does hereby make 
and incorporate the petitioners and all others residing in said described 
territory, as a body corporate, under the name and style of ' The In- 
habitants of the Town of Wyandotte,' of the above metes and bounds, 
and does hereby appoint as trustees thereof, William McKay, George 
Russell, Daniel Killen, Charles S. Glick and William F. Simpson, and 



rV 




*-^ 



r 



does hereby order said persons so appointed to be duly commissioned by 
the clerk of this court. All of which is accordingly done. 

''G. W. Gardner, (/itdgie." 
Territory of Kansas, ) 
CoDNTY OF Leavenworth, \ 

I, Henry C Field, clerk of said court, do hereby certify that the 

foregoing is a true copy of the record of proceedings of said court, 3d 

day of June term, A. D. 1858, held at the city of Leavenworth. 

[l. s.] Witness my hand and the seal of said court, this 9th day of 

June, A. D. 1858. Henry C. Fields, Clerk. 

Filed in office of town clerk, June 14, 1858. 

RuFus Hall, Deputy Clerk. 

The first meeting of the board of trustees of " The Inhabitants of 
the Town of Wyandotte," was held June 12, 1858, when all were 
present and subscribed to the following oath, and were sworn into 
office by William L. McMath, justice of the peace: 

County of Leavenworth, ) 
Territory of Kansas, j 
William McKay, George Russell, Daniel Killen, William F. Simp 
son and Charles S. Glick, hereby duly sworn say, that they will sup- 
port the Constitution of the United States and the act to organize the 
Territory of Kansas, and faithfully demean themselves in office as 
trustees of " The Inhabitants of the Town of Wyandotte." 

(Signed) William McKay, 

Charles S. Glick, 
George Russell, 
William F. Simpson, 
Daniel Killen. 
Sworn to before me this 12th day of June, A. D. 1858. 

William S. McMath, Justice of the Peace. 

The board of trustees formally organized by electing William Mc- 
Kay, chairman; Joseph \V. H. Watson, clerk: Charles W. Patterson, 
assessor; Walter N. Canfield, collector, and Samuel E. Forsythe, con- 
stable. These then were the first corporate officers of Wyandotte. 

The town was incorporated as a city, January 29, 1859, and the 
first city election was held in February of that year. The population 
was then 1,259. When Wyandotte became a city, the town was $1,500 
in debt, which was assumed by the new municipality. 

The following is a complete roster of the corporate officers of Wyan- 

^ € r~ -""s 8 \ 



dotte, from the time it was first incorporated uatil it became a part of 
the consolidated city of Kansas City, Kas. 

1858— The Inhabitants of the Town of Wyandotte: Trustees, 
William McKay, George Russell, Daniel Killen, Charles S. Glick, 
William F. Simpson. 

18Dy— City of Wyandotte: Mayor, James R. Parr; aldermen, W. 
P. Overton, I. N. White, B. Judd, D. Killen, Isaiah Walker and H. 
McDowell; clerk, E. T. Vedder; assessor, David Kirkbride; treasurer, 
J. H. Harris; attorney, W. L. McMath; marshal, N. A. Kirk; engi- 
neer, W. Miller; street commissioner, H. Burgard. 

1860— Mayor, George Russell; aldermen, Joseph Speck, Philip 
Hescher, A. D. Downs, B. Washington, S. A. Bartlett, C. R. Stucks- 
lager; clerk, T. J. Darling; assessor, J. W. Dyer; treasurer, C. H. 
Van Fossen; attorney, S. A. Cobb; marshal, H. H. Sawyer; street com- 
missioner, David Leavitt; engineer, W. Miller. 

18(51 — Mayor, George Russell; aldermen, Jacob Kerstetter, E. L. 
Busche, James Sommerville. C. R. Stuckslager, O. S. Bartlett, C. 
Schneider; clerk, Francis House; assessor, W. Hood; treasurer, I. 
D. Heath; attorney, S. A. Cobb; marshal, P. S. Ferguson; street 
commissioner, W. Curran; engineer, Gustavus Zeitz. 

1862— Mayor, S. A. Cobb; aldermen, Jacob Kerstetter, Robert 
Halford, J. P. Hanrion, N. A. Reinecher, W. H. Sehofield, J. M. 
Funk; clerk, W. B. Bowman; marshal, P. S. Ferguson; assessor, W. 
Hood; attorney, J. S. Stockton; treasurer, I. D. Heath; street com- 
missioner, G. Knipfer; engineer, Horatio Waldo. 

1863— Mayor, J. M. Funk; aldermen, Matthias Splitlog, W. P. 
Holcomb, J. P. Hanrion, B. Washington, J. Grindle, R. Chalk; clerk, 
W. B. Bowman; treasurer, I. D. Heath; attorney, J. S. Stockton; 

assessor, Hance; street commissioner, G. Knipfer; Marshal, P. 

S. Ferguson. 

1864— Mayor. J. M. Funk; aldermen, W. Cook, E. L. Busche, 
Fred Weber, R. Chalk, I. Moore, A. S. Cobb; clerk, W. B. Bowman; 
treasurer, W. P. Holcomb; attorney, W. B. Bowman; assessor, Joseph 
Hanford; marshal, Matthew Clary; engineer, W. Miller. 

1865— Mayor, I. B. Sharp; aldermen, W. Cook, J. R. Parr, J. M. 
Chrysler, E. T. Hovey, Daniel Cable, J. J. Hughes; clerk, W. B. 
Bowman; marshal, John Bolton; attorney, C. S. Glick; treasurer, W. 
P. Holcomb; assessor, Joseph Hanford; street commissioner, W. 
Bucher; engineer, J. A. J. Chapman. 

1866— Mayor, I. B. Sharp; aldermen, W. Cook, R. Anderson, C. 






;fv" 



tii. 



36G HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Hains, D. Cable, B. Washington, N. A. Kirk; clerk, A. J. Cruise; 
attorney, C. S. Glick; marshal, M. Clary; assessor, Joseph Hanford; 
engineer, J. A. J. Chapman; street commissioner, G. A. Schreiner. 

1867 — Mayor, J. McGrew; aldermen, G. P. Nelson, H. West, J. 
H. Harris, B. Washington, Joab Toney, P. Lugibihl; clerk, J. A. 
Cruise; attorney, J. B. Scroggs; engineer, S. Parsons; treasurer, N. 
McAlpine; marshal, J. Lecompt; street commissioner. G. A. Schreiner; 
assessor, E. F. Heisler. 

1868- -Mayor, S. A. Cobb; councilmen, J. Hennessy, A. Jost, H. 
Grautman, R. E. Cable, J. Townsend; police judge, J. M. Funk; 
marshal. Thomas Redtield; attorney, F. B. Anderson; treasurer, Byron 
Judd: clerk, A. J. Cruise; engineer, C. Pinney; assessor, E. F. Heis- 
ler; street commissioner, John Hosp. 

1S69 — Mayor, Byron Judd; aldermen, F. Castring, O. K. Serviss, 
J. Hennessy, R. E. Cable, N. Kearney, P. Knoblock; police judge, W. 
B. Bowman; marshal. H. C. Johnson; assessor, E. F. Heisler; clerk, 
J. A. Cruise; attorney, F. B. Anderson; street commissioner. T. Pur- 
till; engineer, J. McGee; treasurer, J. C. Welsh. 

1870 — Mayor, J. S. Stockton; councilmen, F. Bell. J. Bolton, R. 
E. Cable, F. Castring, P. Knoblock, O. K. Serviss; police judge, W. 
B. Bowman; marshal, H. C. Johnson; assessor, E. F. Heisler; clerk, 
H. L. Alden; engineer, S. Parsons; street commissiouer, John Hosp: 
attorney, H. W. Cook. 

1871 — Mayor, J. S. Stockton; councilmen, Frank Bell, John Bol- 
ton, Peter Connelly, H. C. Johnson, N. Kearney, P. Knoblock; treas- 
urer, O. K. Serviss; police judge, W. B. Bowman; marshal, H. T. 
Harris; attorney, E. L. Bartlett; clerk, H. L. Alden; engineer, Fran- 
cis House; assessor, G. P. Nelson; street commissioner, S. Balmer. 

1872 — Mayor, J. S. Stockton; councilmen, D. W. Batchelder, P. 
Connelly, E. M. Dyer, C. C. Gerhardt, A. Jost, D. W. McCabe, Jacob 
Meunzenmayer, M. W. Phillips; police judge, W. B. Bowman; mar- 
shal, H. T. Harris; treasurer, O. K. Serviss; clerk, William Albright; 
attorney, W. J. Buchan; engineer, Francis House; assessor, G. P. 
Nelson. 

1873 — Mayor, James McGrew; councilmen, D. W. Batchelder, W. 
Cook, B. Grafton. James Hennessy, E. T. Hovey, J. C. Ives, A. Jost, 
L. Schleifer; police judge, M. B. Newman; treasurer. O. K. Serviss; 
clerk, William Albright; marshal, H. T. Harris; engineer, Francis 
House; assessor, J. J. Keplinger; street commissioner, W. B. Gar- 
lick; attorney, W. J. Buchan. 



i "V 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 367 



1874 — Mayor, G. B. Wood; conncilmen, R. E. Cable, W. Cook, 
N. McAlpine, F. W. Meyer, J. Eeid, W. H. Ryus, Louis Schleifer, 
F. Speck; police judge, M. B. Newman; treasurer, O. K. Serviss; 
clerk, W. Albright; engineer, F. House; street commissioner, J. P. 
Faber; assessor, J. J. Keplinger; marshal, H. T. Harris; attorney, 
W. J. Buchan. 

1875 — Mayor, C. Hains; councilmen, Russell Burdette, R. E. 
Cable, G. Grubel, F. AV. Meyer, J. Reid, T. B. Roberts, L. Schleifer, 
F. Speck; police judge, M. B. Newman; marshal, H. T. Harris; 
attorney, W. J. Buchan; treasurer, J. C. Stout; clerk, W. Albright; 
assessor, G. W. Bishop; engineer, F. House; street commissioner, 
J. P. Taber. 

1876 — Mayor, C. Hains; councilmen, C. Anderson, Russell Bur- 
dette, H. E. Chadborn, J. L. Conklin, G. Greubel, J. Hanford, H. C. 
Long, M. M. Stover; police judge, M. B. Newman; marshal, M. Col- 
lins: clerk, W. Albright; treasurer, J. W. Wahlenmaier; assessor, G. 
W. Bishop; engineer, F. House; street commissioner, F. Kramer; 
attorney, F. B. Anderson. 

1877 — Mayor, F. Speck; marshal, Mike Collins: police judge, R. 

E. Cable; treasurer, J. W. Wahlenmaier; treasurer board of educa- 
tion, Perley Pike; attorney, F. B. Anderson; councilmen, L. Cook, 
Dan Williams, R. Burdette, J. C. Welsh; board of education, R. 
Halford. J. P. Dennison, J. H. Gadd, A. M. Moyer. 

1878 — Mayor, Fred Speck; marshal, Michael Collins; treasurer, 
O. K. Serviss; treasurer board of education, Perley Pike; attorney, 

F. B. Anderson; councilmen, John E. Zeitz, M. M. Stover, J. Le- 
compt, James S. Bell; board of education, C. Crothers, W. R. Chap- 
man, James Furgason, H. C. Darby. 

1879 — Mayor, J. S. Stockton; treasurer, Chris. Beruhard; police 
judge, R. E. Cable; attorney, J. A. Hale; treasurer board of educa- 
tion, Chris Bernhard; councilmen, Lawson Cook, J. W. Wahlenmaier 
Dan Williams, V. S. Lucas, John Burk; board of education, J. L. 
Conklin, P. H. Knoblock, James S. Gibson, G. W. Bishop. 

1880 — Mayor, J. S. Stockton; marshal, H. T. Harris; council - 
men. Louis Burnett, Daniel Williams, D. E. Cornell, James S. Bell; 
board of education, H. C. Darby, W. R. Chapman, James Furgason, 
C. Anderson: attorney, J. A. Hale; police judge, R. E. Cable; treas- 
urer, Chris Bernhard. 

1881 — Mayor, R. E. Cable; marshal, V. S. Lucas; police judge, 
F. B. Anderson; treasurer, Chris Bernhard; attorney, Henry McGrew ; 



V 



^^=^ ^=Sjl 




councilmen, Louis Burnett, Peter Lugibihle, T. B. Roberts, D. E. 
Cornell, James S. Bell, Daniel "Williams, J. C. Stout, George A. 
Dudley ; board of education, Emile Kreiser, H. C Darby, P. H. Knob- 
lock, W. R. Chapman, C. D. Schrader, W. C. Lyman, C. Anderson. 
1882-83— Mayor, R. E. Cable; clerk, Ed. H. Sager; treasurer, 
C. Bernhard; police judge, T. B. Anderson; attorney, Henry Mc- 
Grew; engineer, Walter Hale; street commissioner, Thomas McCau- 
ley; marshal, H. T. Harris; councilmen, John B. Scroggs, E. A. Web- 
ster, D. E. Cornell, Charles Hains, George A. Dudley, Thomas H. 
Roberts, Charles Wilson, J. C. Beddington, James Brennan, D. Al- 
bert, Peter Lugibihle and J. C. Stout. 

1883-85— Mayor, D. E. Cornell; clerk, H. E. Chadborn; attor- 
ney, Henry McGrew; treasurer, Louis Burnett; engineer, R. E. Ela; 
street commissioner, W. H. Brown; police judge, George W. Betts; 
marshal, O. K. Serviss. 

1883-84 — Councilmen, John E. Zeitz, Thomas Sehultz, James 
Brennan, Henry Horstman, J. C. Boddington, Charles Hains, George 
A. Dudley, T. C. Foster, J. B. Scroggs, E. A. Webster, Charles Wil- 
son, W. A. Eldridge. 

1884-85 — Councilmen, W. P. Overton, J. J. Hannan, M. B. Has- 
kell, Frank Mapes, C. D. Montanye, William Clow, J. C. Boddington, 
Charles Dudley, Thomas C. Foster, Henry Horstman, Joseph Leaf, 
Theodore Sehultz. 

1885-86 — Mayor, J. C. Martin; clerk, John Warren; treasurer, 
F. S. Merstetter; attorney, R. P. Clark; engineer, Everett Walker; 
street commissioner, N. J. Abbott; police judge, J. D. Green; mar- 
shal, O. K. Serviss. 

CouQcilmen, W. P. Overton, Joseph Leaf, James Wheeler, E. A. 
Webster, M. B. Haskell, H. F. Johnson, Frank Mapes, G. W. Bishop, 
C. D. Montanye, R. F. Robison, William Clow, Charles Hilton. 

Northrup's Addition to (or extension of) Wyandotte, lying between 
Kansas Avenue on the north and Barnett Street on the south, and 
bounded east by Seventh Street, was laid out in June, 1858, by Hiram 
M. Northrup. The court-house and the residence of Mr. Northrup 
are in this addition. Some extensions and subdivisions of Northrup's 
Addition have since been made. 

The Wyandotte City Company's Addition to Wyandotte, lying 
between Maria Street and Kansas Avenue, and between Fourth and 
Seventh Streets, was surveyed and laid out by John McAlpine, trus- 
tee of the company. 



'f 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



369 



Wood & Walker's Addition to Wyandotte, comprising the allot- 
ments of Clarence F. Walker and Sarah L. Walker, as set off to them 
in a certain action in the district court in the county of Wyandotte, 
for the partition of certain lands of the county, wherein Lydia B. 
Walker was plaintiff and Thomas G. Walker and others were defend- 
ants, was laid out in May, 1872, by the proprietors, Geoige B. and 
Annie B. Wood and Louise S. Walker. 

The village of Armstrong, now included within the city limits of 
Kansas City, Kas., was surveyed in October, 1871, by E. C. Smeed, 
for the Kansas Pacific Kailway Company, who laid it out in a pictur- 
esque style, with a public square and diagonal avenues verging there- 
from, and other avenues and circular streets partially surrounding 
the square. It was named in honor of Silas Armstrong. 

D. F. Voss' part . of Wyandotte City is bounded by commencing 
at the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of the northeast 
quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 10, Town 11 south, Kange 
25 east; thence south 329 feet; thence east 677 feet; thence north 353 
feet across the alley to the land conveyed by M. Splitlog and wife to the 
Catholic Church; thence west and along said church land to the 
southwest corner of the same; thence south 2-1: feet; thence west 108 
feet to the place of beginning, containing 5iV« acres. It was laid 
out in August, 1872, by D. F. Voss and wife. 

Woodlawn Cemetery, at Wyandotte, situated on the southeast 
quarter of Section 33, was surveyed and laid out by the Wyandotte 
Cemetery Association in July, 1873. The grounds consist of an ob- 
long square twenty-three rods wide, east and west, by seventy-nine 
rods long, north and south, containing sixteen and one-half acres. In 
the center is Woodlawn Park, south of which is Cedar Park and 
■ north of which is Elm Park. The cemetery is bounded on the west 
by Ninth Street, from which is the main entrance. 

Oak Grove Cemetery, embracing ten acres in the northeast quar- 
ter of the southwest quarter of Section 34, Town 10 south, Range 25 
east, was laid out in September, 1873, by the City Cemetery Associa- 
tion, of which R. B. Taylor was then president. 

The Connelly Addition to Wyandotte City, lying between Fifth 
Street and the Kansas River, and mostly south of Barnett Street, and 
containing twelve blocks of various sizes, was laid out in December, 
1873, by Peter Connelly, and his wife, Cornelia D. Connelly. 

Riverview Addition to Wyandotte City, lying in the point be- 
tween Fifth and Ferry Streets, was laid out by James M. Ford, the 



■* — 1- 



i \ 



J^^^^ 



>> 



370 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



proprietor, in October, 1878. It contains seventeen lots, all varying 
in size. 

Tenney's Addition to Wyandotte City, bounded as follows: Com- 
mencing at the northeast corner of the southwest quarter of the 
southwest of Section 10, Township 11 south, Range 25 east; thence 
east 462 feet; thence south 505 feet; thence west 1,162 feet; thence 
north 505 feet; thence east 660 feet to the beginning, was laid out in 
July, 1878, by William C. Tenney. its proprietor. This addition was 
vacated by order of the board of county commissioners, June 17, 1879. 

The town of Riverview, now within the corporate limits of Kansas 
City, Kas. , was laid out in April, 1879, by William C. Tenney, John 
F. Moores, James M. Ford and Henry C. Arnold, the original pro- 
prietors. It contains a lake and park. Some of the streets are circu- 
lar, and the whole place is beautiful in appearance. It has twenty-four 
large blocks of irregular and various shapes, each being divided into 
lots also of different sizes. 

Whipple's Addition to Riverview was laid out in January, 1880, 
by A. J. Whipple, the proprietor. This addition comprises a tract near 
the center of Riverview Addition, which was not subdivided when 
that addition was surveyed. It is therefore an addition within an 
addition. 

Highland Park Addition to Armstrong was laid out in June, 1879, 
by Barzillai Gray and William H. Lott. It embraces ten acres off 
the west side of the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of 
Section 15, Town 11 south. Range 25 east. 

Stout & Co.'s Addition to Wyandotte City, lying west of Sixth 
Street and astride of Orrville Street, was laid out in March, 18S0, by 
the original proprietors, J. C. Stout, Martha Stout, George H. Miller, 
Julia A. Miller and Orville D. Bnrt. 

Stout & Co.'s Second Addition to Wyandotte City, lying west of 
Sixth Street, and astride of Emerson Street, was laid out in May, 1880, 
by the same parties. 

West Riverview, lying east of Eighth Street and south of Ohio 
Street, was laid out in May, 1 880, by Henry Buckingham and wife, the 
proprietors. 

Smith & Keating's Addition to Wyandotte City, adjoining Sixth 
Street on the west and striding Barnett and Young Streets, was laid 
out in January, 1881, by William J. Smith and George J. Keating, 
the proprietors. 

Hammerslough's First Addition to the city of Wyandotte, embrac- 



i) \ 



k. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 371 



iag the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of the southwest 
quarter of Section 10, Township 11 south, Range 25 east, containing 
ten acres, was laid out in February, 1881, by Louis Hammerslough, 
proprietor. 

Crane's Addition to Wyandotte City, lying south of Central Avenue, 
and astride of Third Street, containing nine and a half acres, was laid 
out in March, 1881, by F. D. Crane and Adaline Crane, his wife, who 
were the proprietors. 

McAlpine"s Addition to the city of Wyandotte, lying in the south- 
east quarter of the southeast of Section 9, Township 11 south. Range 
25 east, was laid out in May, 1883, by Nicholas McAlpiae and Maria 
W. McAljjine, proprietors. 

Many other additions to Wyandotte, too numerous to mention here, 
were laid out before it became a part of the consolidated city of Kan- 
sas City, Kas., and many additions to the latter city have since been 
made, and many suburban places also. One of the most noted of 
these is Chelsea Place, and Chelsea Park, in the northwestern part of 
the city, two and a half miles west and one-half mile north of the Kan- 
sas River, and which is easily reached from all parts of the two Kansas 
Cities by means of the street railways. Chelsea Park is one of the 
prettiest places to be found, being in a natural forest of black walnut, 
elm, oak and other native trees. Its surface consists of hills and ra- 
vines, the largest ravine being traversed by a small stream, which fur- 
nishes water for the artificial lake which has been made by building a 
dam across the ravine. The lake covers about two acres, and affords 
a pleasant place for boat-riding. The place is fitted up with beauti- 
ful drives and walks, appropriate buildings, a museum, rustic bridges, 
flower gardens, etc., and is much resorted to by the people generally. 

The following account of the history of the former city of Kansas 
City, Kas., is from Andreas' " History of Kansas" published in 1883: 

" It would be almost an impossibility to write in detail the early 
history of Kansas City, Kas., without treating the topics connected 
with the early times of the whole region, comprising the establishment 
of the Chouteaus at a point about three miles below Kansas City, and 
on the south side of the Kaw River, opposite Muncie, between 1821 
and 1825, and the French settlement, or the Kawsmouth settlement, 
made after the flood of 1826, which washed away M. Chouteau's post- 
agency houses in the bottom opposite Randolph BlufTs. Again, it 
would be an impossibility to separate Kansas City, Kas., from Kansas 
City, Mo., in such a narrative, which partakes at best, much of the 




^^ 



nature of fiction, and has been gathered from unreliable sources. 
Reference is made for the accounts of the Indian and French settle- 
ments to the general State history. The first white settler after the 
French traders to locate upon the present site of Kansas City, Mo., 
was James H. McGee, who made three entries of eighty acres each in 
Sections 5, 7 and 8, on November 14, 1828. The settlement of Rev. 
Isaac McCoy, four miles south of Kawsmouth in 1831; the establish- 
ment of a trading house at this point by his sou, John, during the 
next year; the removal of the Indians, from 1832 to 1840; the plat- 
ting of Westport in the meantime; the development of the great 
Santa Fe trade, and the founding of Kansas City, as a convenient 
landing place for the goods of the Indian and Santa Fe traders, and 
the formation of the town company in 1838, are matters which can 
not be separated from the history of Kansas City, Kas. , nor yet, since 
the city is treated here as a separate corporate body, can full details 
be given. A settlement was begun in 1857, on the east side of the 
Kansas River, in what is now Kansas City, Kas. , or, more properly, a 
house was planted on ground where now flows the Missouri River, 
just east of the mouth of the Kaw. It was built by David E. James, 
was a two-story frame, and stood there about ten years. This was 
United States land at that time, being claimed by Silas Armstrong, 
under the treaty between the AVyandottes and the United States, as his 
float. Certain leading Wyandottes had been granted a section of land 
each, to be located in any spot they might choose; hence the term 
'float.' Willis Wills and several others squatted upon difl'erent por- 
tions of this land, and claimed the right to pre-empt it. But in 1858, 
through D. E. James, a compromise was effected, by which Silas Arm- 
strong released his claim to a portion of it, and the settlers released 
to him the balance. The log house occupied by Mr. McDowell in 
1857, and several years after, may be seen to-day standing on the 
south side of Sixth Street, ju.st this side or west of the State line. 
This is the only building left of those on the Armstrong ' float,' in 
1857-58. That float comprised what is now Kansas City, Kas., lying 
between the State line and the Missouri River. Many acres of it 
have been washed into the river. That year, the traveled road be- 
tween Kansas City, Mo., and Wyandotte ran where now is the south 
side of the Missouri River, at its most southerly bend; hence at low 
water the whole of the river runs where then was a cornfield; but 
since the riprapping of 1867, it wears no more. Much might be 
written of the early history of the Armstrong ' float, ' now known as 



^!V 



Kansas City, Kas. Several families resided on the point from 1856 
to 1800, who were regarded only as squatters. They obtained a liv- 
intr by various means. There was a family named Johnson here then, 
having a habitation where now the Missouri River runs, a few hun- 
dred yards northeast of the Anglo-American Packing House. This 
family was known to the early settlers as fishermen. The family of 
Edward Olivet was recognized by Armstrong as having a squatter's 
interest in the land, and while the towns of Kansas City, Kas., and 
Wyandotte were being built, Mr. Olivet was the agent of Armstrong 
for the sale of sand and wood to the people of either town. Mr. 
Henry Williams also resided out in land now claimed by the ' Big 
Muddy.' There was also a house full of colored people in that now 
imagiiiaiy place on the point. The house heretofore mentioned as 
the land office building was a building of twelve rooms, and had its 
history. Settlers of early date now reside in Kansas City who remem- 
ber this old house as having had the reputation of being haunted. 
It was said that the ghost of a Mr. Wills would on certain occasions 
appear in the house and make claims to the ground on which the 
house in which he once resided stood, as the property of his heirs. 
The claims of the Missouri River were pressed with such irresistible 
force that when the land became water, the occupation of the ghost 
departed. Business is now too lively in this neighborhood to permit 
the existence of ghosts, and that old idea is rapidly fading away. 
Near the State line on Sixth Street, the widow of Edward Olivet- 
Mrs. Sophia Olivet— now lives, the only one of the original squatters 
on the Armstrong ' float ' claiming a home on this tract. 

"The Kansas City (Kas.) Town Company was formed in 1808, by 
Silas .ii-mstrong, David E. James. Dr. George B. Wood, Lather H. 
Wood, William Weir, Thomas Ewing, Jr., T. H. Swope and N. Mc- 
Alpine. 

"The town site was situated upon parts of fractional Sections Nos. 
10, 11 and 14, Town 11 south, of Range 25 east, lying north of the 
old bed of Turkey Creek, east of the Kansas River, south of the Mis- 
souri River, and bounded on the east by the State line between Mis- 
souri and Kansas, and comprised the following named tracts, viz. : 
Two tracts of land belonging to George B. Wood; two tracts of land 
belonging to D. E. James; one tract belonging jointly to George B. 
Wood and N. McAlpine, and the piece of land lying between the lands 
of Thomas Ewing on the south and lands of D. E. James on the north, 
between Armstrong Street and Kansas River. The site was surveyed 



f=^ 



\ 



^'^—^ ±^=^ 



374 HISTOEY OF KANSAS.- 



by John McGee, civil engineer, April 24, 1S69, and recorded with the 
register of deeds of Wyandotte County May 3, 1869. 

"The streets were named after the original proprietors of the town. 
Mr. James erected the first dwelling-house of any prominence in 1870, 
at the south end of James Street, near the railroad tracks. Soon fol- 
lowed the establishment of the large packinghouses and stock yards, 
whose business forms the biilk of the city's trade." 

Some of the streets were made eighty and some sixty feet wide. 
James Street, and all streets running parallel with it, has a direction 
bearing north 2S° and 10' west— the variation of the needle being 11 ' 
east when the survey was made. The streets, excepting the one under 
a portion of the elevated railroad, cross at right angles. The original 
plat of the city was acknowledged by the proprietors, George B. Wood, 
Anna B. Wood, D. E. James, Nicholas McAlpine and Maria McAl- 
pine. The leading business of this part of the consolidated city of 
Kansas City, Kas. , is given elsewhere in this work. 

In the fall of 1869 the estate of Silas Armstrong, deceased, lying 
within the corporate limits of the former Kansas City, Kas., was sur- 
veyed, and laid out into blocks, lots, streets and alleys, so as to con- 
form to the survey of the former city, by A. B. Bartlett and Silas 
Armstrong, Jr., administrators of the estate of the decedent. Some 
other additions have also been made to the former city of Kansas City. 

In October, 1872, Kansas City, Kas., was incorporated, and the 
first city election was held October 22, 1872, by order of Judge Hiram 
Stevens of the Tenth Judicial District, and resulted in the election of 
the following city officers: 

Mayor, James Boyle; councilmen, S. W. Day, Charles H. Jones, 
John McKnight, George Forschler and James Lundell; police judge, 
James Kennedy; city clerk, Cornelius Cushin; treasurer, Samuel Mc- 
Connell ; city attorney, H. L. Alden. The mayors of the city from its 
incorporation up to Ai)ril, 1881, were James Boyle, C. A. Eidemiller, 
A. S. Orbison and Eli Teed. In June, 1881, the governor of Kansas 
proclaimed the city of Kansas City a city of the second class, and from 
April, 1881, until it became a part of the consolidated city in 1886, 
the mayors serving were as follows: Samuel McConnell, from April, 
1881, to April, 1883; R. W. Hilliker, from April, 1883, to April, 1885; 
James Phillips, from April, 1885, to April, 1886. 

Armourdale, embracing a part of the southwest quarter of the 
southeast quarter of Section 15, and part of the northwest quarter of 
the southeast quarter of Section 22, all in Township 11 south, Range 25 



^ & 

^ 






-*-pf — •'rr*- 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 375 



east, and bein^^ on the north bank of Kansas River, about one and a 
half miles above its mouth, was laid out in June, 1880, by the Kaw 
Valley Town Site & Bridge Company, composed of Boston capitalists, 
and of which Charles V. Adams, Jr. , was president, and John Q. 
Adams, Charles Merriam, Nathaniel Thayer, H. H. Hunnevvell and 
John A. Burnham were members. At this time the company owned 
a large amount of land adjoining the original town site, some of 
which has since been laid out in additions, and some occupied for 
manufacturing purposes. The first addition to Armourdale, extending 
from Fourth to Tenth Streets, was surveyed and laid out in June, 1881, 
by the same town company. 

The city was incorporated in the spring of 1882, and the first city 
election was held May 5. The oificers were: Mayor, Frank W. Patterson; 
councilmen, Nehemiah Sherrick, Daniel Herbert, E. W. Anderson, S. 
Snyder and Joseph Bradley; police judge, John C. Foore; marshal, 
William Boss; city clerk, Granville Patterson. The mayors of the 
city from the time it was incorporated until it became a part of the 
consolidated city were, Frank W. Patterson, from May, 1882, to 
April, 1884; George W. Parsons, from April, 1884, to April, 1885, 
and Jacob Barney, from April, 1885, to April, 1886. 

Early in the spring of 1882, the old school district, in which a 
school had been maintained for over twenty years, was divided, and 
that portion of the school district containing the school-house was 
set over to South Wyandotte. In May the Armourdale District No. 
9, voted bonds for a .$9,000 school-house, which was completed on Oc- 
tober 5. The ofiicers of the school board were N. Sherrick, president ; 
E. Sheldon, secretary, and F. W. Dryer, treasurer. A colored school 
was opened in the old wooden school building in the west end of the 
town. In the six years of the existence of Armourdale, that is from 
the time the town site was surveyed until it became a part of the con- 
solidated city, it had acquired a population of 1,582. 

Presbyterian services have been held here several years, but it was 
not until April 15, 1882, that the Central Presbyterian Church was 
organized. The society immediately commenced building a house of 
worship, which is located on the corner of Wyandotte Avenue and 
Eleventh Street. It was completed in June, at a cost of $1,800. 

The city of Armourdale was named from the Armours, bankers 
and pork packers. It gives promise of being the center of still 
greater manufacturing interests, and many new establishments have 
bought ground here and propose to establish extensive works thereon. 



•FIs — ^ 



•lA 



376 HISTOEY OP KANSAS. 



la Maj', 1857, Judge M. W. Delahay began the publication of the 
Wyandotte City Register, which was the first paper published in the 
city. The tirst number was issued in a tent on the corner of Nebraska 
Avenue and Third Street. Delahay sold to Eddy & Patton. It fjaally 
passed into the hands of Mr. Abbot, who changed its name to the 
Citizen, and published it but a few months. It was succeeded by the 
Western Argus, which was printed on the same material and published 
by the Western Argus Company, J. E. Bennet, editor, and P. Sidney 
Post, commercial editor. The first number of the Argus was issued 
March 'Jo, 1858, and was continued till March 9, 1861, when the mate- 
rial was sold to R. B. Taylor, and became a part of the office of the 
Wyandotte Gazette. The first number of the Gazette was issued 
August 7, 1858, by S. D. McDonald, editor and proprietor. Mr. 
McDonald continued the Gazette one year, issuing a daily during the 
session of the Constitutional Convention, and then suspended. 

In August, 1860, the publication of the paper, after a suspension 
of some months, was recommenced by Messrs. McDonald and R. B. 
Taylor. The partnership continued but a few weeks, when Mr. Tay- 
lor hired the office of Mr. McDonald, and continued to publish 
the paper alone. January 15, 1861, while the editor was in the 
East on business, the office was entirely destroyed by fire, together 
with the building in which it was located, both belonging to Mr. 
McDonald. When Mr. Taylor returned in March he purchased the 
material of the Western Argus, as before mentioned, and continued 
the publication of the Gazette until the spring of 1867. when Philpott 
& Brown secured possession of the office and published it three months 
under agreement to purchase, which they failed to do. Mr. Taylor 
then took the management of the paper again and published it until 
October 1, 1869, when he leased the office to Kessler & Tuttle. 
January 1, 1870, Mr. Tuttle withdrew, leaving Mr. Kessler sole 
lessee and editor. In July of this year Mr. Taylor again carae 
into possession of the Gazette, remaining editor and sole proprietor 
until his death. 

Richard Baxter Taylor, who for so long a time was editor of the 
Gazette, was born in Buckland, Franklin County, Mass., March 29, 
1832, and died at his residence in Wyandotte, Kas. , March 26, 1877. 
He received a good common school and academical education. When 
seventeen years of age, he went to Canandaigua, N. Y. . where he 
was engaged as an educator about five years, and then went to Ellen- 
wood, Ulster County, in the same State, where he commenced the 






study of law. He became connected with the EUenville Journal and 
so remained until he came West. In 1857 he visited Kansas, and the 
next year removed with his family to Wyandotte. His purpose in 
coming to Kansas was to aid in making it a free State. In 1851 he 
married Miss Eachel Broadhead. Mr. Taylor was a Eepublican 
in politics. As a journalist he was able, intelligent and bold Throucrh 
his efforts, the Kansas State Editorial Association was organized and 
he was president of the first meeting, which was held at Topeka, Janu- 
ary 1/, 1866. He strongly advocated the writing and printing of 
words l,y the phonic method. The editorial association which Mr 
iaylor was so active in organizing, at its annual meetincr held at Man 
hattan, April 7, 1875, suggested the action which led to°the organiza 
tion of the State Historical Society, and Mr. Tavlor was one of its 
first directors. 

At the death of Mr. Taylor, his son, William B. Taylor, conducted 
the Gazette till October, 1879, when R.. B. Armstrong and A N 
Moyer bought the office with all its appurtenances, and, under the firm 
name of Armstrong & Moyer, published the paper for a number of 
years. En the spring of 1888, the present Gazette company was 
formed and took charge of the office and paper, and in January fol- 

owiug, Mr. George W. Martin, the present editor, assumed control of 
the editorial department. A weekly and daily edition of the Gazette are 
published, both having a large circulation. In politics the Gazette is 
Republican. 

The Kansas Post, a German weekly, was removed from Kansas 
City to Wyandotte in the early part of the war period, and remained 
one year. It was published by A. M'nerz and John Haberlein, the 
latter being principal editor. The Kansas Real Estate Herald was 
issued at Wyandotte, by E. F. Heisler, from November, 1868, to July 

8bJ. The first number of Die Fackel (The Torch), was issued in 
Myandotte, September 12, 1866. by Kastor, Fischer & Co H W 
Ka,stor, editor. It was first printed on the Gazette press. On Janu 
ary 1 1868. it was moved to Atchison. The Kansas Pilot was estab- 
lished in ^^yandotte. in 1879. by William Caffrey, and published for 
a season. 

From 1861 to 1866 there was no Democratic paper in Wyandotte 
County, but in the latter year J. A. Berry started the Wyandotte 
Democrat, issued it about thirteen months and then abandoned it and 
left the city. The nest Democratic paper in the place was the 
Herald. 



The first number of the Wyandotte Herald was issued January 4, 
1872. V. J. Lane and F. G. Jacksou were its founders, the former 
being its editor. It was first published on the corner of Minnesota 
and Fifth Streets. In 1872 the otHce was moved to the corner of 
Third Street and Minnesota Avenue, where it remained a year and a 
half, until it was removed to Hescher's building, on the north side of 
Minnesota Avenue, between Fourth and Fifth Streets, where the paper 
was published till January 1, 1880, when it was moved to the Masonic 
building, on the corner of Minnesota Avenue and Third Street. In 
September, 1881, it was moved into permanent quarters belonging to 
its proprietors, on the north side of Minnesota Avenue, between Fifth 
and Sixth Streets, No. 512, where it still remains. B. R. Lane, son 
of the editor, bought an interest in the Herald in April, 1880, and has 
since been a partner with his father. The Herald is a neat seven-col- 
umn folio, Democratic in politics, and has a large circulation in Wyan 
dotte and adjoining counties. 

The Weekly Spy was established in the former city of Kansas City, 
in 1880, by its proprietor, B. M. Drake. In September, 1882, Charles 
H. Van Fossen and Felix G. Head bought the material of the office 
and began the publication of the Daily Evening Globe, which was con- 
tinued for a time. 

The American Citizen, formerly established at Topeka, Kas., was 
moved to Kansas City, Kas., July 26, 1889. It is a six-column folio, 
all printed at home, and is published by the American Citizen Publish- 
ing Company, with W. T. McGuinn, editor, and George A. Dudley, 
business manager. These gentlemen are colored, and look well to the 
interest of their race. The present circulation of the Citizen is 2,500, 
a very good showing for a paper published by the colored people. In 
politics it is independent. 

The Kansas Catholic, now in its eighth volume, was established at 
Leavenworth, and published there until April, 1890, when it was 
moved to Kansas City, Kas., where it is now published weekly by the 
Kansas Catholic Publishing Company. It is a very neat six-column 
quarto, containing much reading matter, consisting of general, local 
and foreign news, all being printed in the best of style. 

The Weekly Press, a seven-column folio, is published in the 
Armourdale division of Kansas City. Kas., by J. B. Whipple, editor 
and proprietor. Its forty-ninth number dates July 12, 1890, thus 
showing that it was established in July, 1889. 

The Kansas City Journal, Times, Globe and Star, all published in 



JiL 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 379 



Kansas City, Mo., each publish a special edition for 'circulation in 
Kansas City, Kas. The local news of the latter city appears in these 
editions. The Journal is published by the Journal Company. Frank 
M. Tracy, business manager, and S. C. Britton, editor. 

The business manager of the Times is W. C. McBride, and the 
editor is M. B. Maret. Of the Globe, A. C. Caley is business man- 
ager, and R. A. Pope, editor. The business manager of the Star is 
M. C. Krarup, and the editor is Mrs. Belle Ball. 

In pursuance to notice given in the Wyandotte newspapers, a mass 
meeting of the citizens of Wyandotte County was held at Dunning' s 
Hall in Wyandotte City on September 4, 1875, for the purpose of dis- 
cussing the subject, and devising ways and means to assist in building 
up the commercial metropolis of the State of Kansas at the mouth of 
Kansas River. V. J. Lane was appointed chairman, and N. McAlpine 
secretary. After the chairman stated the object of the meeting, Col. 
S. A. Cobb introduced the following resohition, which passed unani- 
mously : 

" Resolved, That a meeting of the citizens of the State of Kansas be 
held at Dunning' s Hall on Thursday, the 23d of September, in the 
afternoon and evening, and that prominent citizens of the State be 
invited to address the meeting and become our guests." 

On motion the following live persons were appointed as an invita- 
tion committee: H. W. Cook. John B. Scroggs, R. B. Failor, V. J. 
Lane and San ford Haff. 

On motion a committee on arrangements and finance was appointed, 
consisting of S. A. Cobb, Mayor Hains, Mayor Teed, of Kansas City, 
Kas., E. L. Bartlett, Dr. Thorne, Thomas Vick Roy, L. H. Woods, J. 
S. Stockton and W. J, Buchan. A committee of live on assessment 
and taxation was then appointed as follows: L. H. Wood, Mayor 
Hains, H. M. Northrup, J. J. Keplinger and N. McAlpine. 

The following is a copy of the call published in the papers for a 
meeting to be held September 23, 1875: 
" To the People of Kansas: 

" The citizens of Wyandotte County, mindful of the fact that the 
increasing commerce of the Missouri Valley must concentrate some- 
where on the bank of our great river for general exchange, and build 
up a great emporium at the jsoint where such general exchange shall 
be made, believe that the necessities of trade, the laws of nature, 
facts not to be denied, have fixed that point at the mouth of the Kan- 
sas River. This commerce, for the most part, is the product of the 

^? 6 r- -^ ©PV 



^! 




industry, the intelligence and the resources of Kansas; the city which is 
its offspring they believe should be on Kansas soil, subject to her laws 
and tributary to her wealth. They believe that city may be planted 
by wise and judicious action on the part of the people within the 
borders of their State. They believe a generous interchange of senti- 
ment on the spot by citizens of Kansas, with their fellow-citizens who 
reside at the mouth of the Kansas River, will convince the most skep- 
tical and win him to their belief as to where that great mart shall be 
seated. Therefore, in no spirit of rivalry, as citizens of Kansas, 
solicitous of her welfare, they cordially invite as many of the people 
of their State as can attend a public meeting, to be held at Wyan- 
dotte on Thursday, September 23, 1875, in the evening, to consider 
the subject. To such as come they pledge a hearty welcome to their 
homes." 

This invitation met with a very liberal response, there being 300 
of the representative men of the State in attendance at the meeting 
on September 23. These guests were met at the depot by the citizens 
and escorted through the principal streets of the city in carriages. 
The following counties were represented by delegates in person: Doug- 
las, Riley and Davis on the west; Leavenworth on the north; Johnson 
Miami and Bourljon on the south; Franklin, Anderson and Allen on 
the southwest; and Jefferson on the northwest. The following coun- 
ties sent words of encouragement by letter: Shawnee, Crawford, Coffey, 
Linn, Osage, Pottawatomie, Saline, Ellis, Republic, Ellsworth and Atch 
{son. The press was represented by W. H. Miller, of the Kansas, 
City Journal; S. M. Foid, of the Kansas City Times; H. Wilcox, of 
the Kansas City News and Chronicle; R. B. Taylor, of the Wyandotte 
Gazette, and V. J. Lane, of the Wyandotte Herald. 

The ladies had decorated Dunning" s Hall where the meetings were 
held. Col. S. A. Cobb was elected president, and the following gentle- 
men, vice-presidents: Gen. W. H. M. Fishback, of Johnson County; 
Theodore C. Bowles, of Franklin County; Hon. John T. Lanter, of 
Anderson County; Hon. L. J. Worden, of Douglas County ; Dr. George 

B. Wood, of Wyandotte County; Judge Williams, of Jefferson County ; 
Gen. John A. Halderman, of Leavenworth; Hon. George A. Crawford, 
of Bourbon County; Judge Hiram Stevens, of Miami County; Judge 
N. F. Acres, of Allen County; and Hon. John K. Wright, of Davis 
County. Speeches were made by Col. Cobb, Senator Harvey, Gov. J. P. 
St. John, Gov. George A. Crawford. Gen. J. A. Halderman. Hon. T. 

C. Bowles, Hon. John K. W^right. Hon. L. J. Worden, Judge Williams, 



Hon. W. J. Buchaa and others. Letters and telegrams all giving en- 
couragement to the movement were read from other parties, among 
whom were Hon. J. J. Ingalls, J. K. Goodin, Byron Sherry, Gov. Os- 
born, George W. Yeale, Chancellor Marvin, John Frazer, P. I. B. 
Ping and H. P. Dow. 

The following is an extract from the speech of Col. Cobb, which 
vividly portrays the natural advantages of the location at the mouth of 
Kansas River, for the commercial metropolis of the State: 

" The terminus of one great line of railroad, the Kansas Pacific, 
whose trade extends westward beyond our limits to the mining camps 
of Colorado, and the grazing fields of New Mexico. On the north of 
this line of railroad, her supplies and goods minister to the wants of 
the settlers in the counties of our State, lying west of the district 
drained by the Central Branch Union Pacific and the St. Joseph & 
Denver Railroads, until she reaches the neighborhood of the Burling- 
ton & Missouri River Railroad of Nebraska. Then extending west- 
ward under the advantage of the pro rata bill passed at a recent ses- 
sion of Congress, by way of Denver and Cheyenne, her influences are 
felt, as the competitor of Omaha, on the plains of Wyoming and the 
valleys of Utah. On the south side of the Kansas Pacific Railroad 
she has practically no competition in the field of trade, and her busi- 
ness men solicit exchange over the whole expanse of country south- 
ward to the northern boundary of Texas, and westward to the limits 
of settlement this side of the Rocky Mountains. Confining the ques- 
tion to our own State, the railroads which extend westwardly from the 
mouth of the Kansas River drain every section of Kansas, except the 
counties of Leavenworth, Atchison, Doniphan. Nemaha, Brown. Mar- 
shall, Jackson and portions of Jefferson, Pottawatomie and Washing- 
ton. The Republican branch of the Kansas Pacific, which extends 
northward up the valley of the Republican River to Clay Center, in 
Clay County, takes the trade of the northwestern counties, which 
would otherwise go to the Central Branch or St. Joseph & Denver 
roads to the line of the Kansas Pacific. The Kansas Midland road 
between this point and Topeka, and the line between here and Ottawa, 
are the lines over which the trade of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa 
Fe, and the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston roads will respect- 
ively pass with the same facility with which it will to Atchison or 
Leavenworth. 

" The people of Wyandotte County contend that the mass of trade 
carried on bv these roads will follow the valley of the Kansas River 



V 



"-^ 



382 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



to its junction with the Missouri. They contend, other things being 
equal, that the companies owning these roads can afPord to deliver 
freights cheaper at the mouth of the Kansas River than at any other 
point on the Missouri, because the grades of the roads are uniform and 
descending after they touch the valley of that river, while to carry their 
freight to the original terminus requires them to pass over elevated tracts 
of country with heavy gradients. But things are not equal. Any great 
city in the Missouri Valley will be tributary either to the greater 
cities of St. Louis or Chicago. The State of Kansas is by nature 
tributary to St. Louis. To redistribute passengers and freight bound 
to St. Louis from the principal portion of Kansas northward of this 
point, is to take them out of a direct line for redistribution. But 
the mass of the producers of Kansas will not engage in the business of 
redistribution. They will dispose of their products where they can find 
the buyers and seldom go farther from home in quest of them than to the 
Missouri Valley. The people of this county contend that they will 
go there where the greatest competition may be had, and that to day 
no man can question that the grain elevators, the packing-hovises 
and the stock-yards at this point all demonstrate that the buyers of 
the staple products — of grain and cattle — are far more numerous 
than anywhere else on the Missouri River. They contend that the 
mouth of the Kansas Piver is the natural site for the metropolis of 
the Missouri Valley, and that all efforts to build it elsewhere will be 
futile. They believe that the failure of other places to become the 
metropolis is owing to no mistake on the part of the citizens of those 
places, but they simply lacked the thousand and one natural advan- 
tages that this spot so happily possesses. It is said ' facts are born, 
not made.' So of those great marts that spring up in the march of civili- 
zation across the continent. The people of Kansas would gladly have 
made their metropolis elsewhere, but this spot was born to be it, and 
they must accept the fact. 

" In all I have said I have not spoken of the eastern connections of 
railroads with this point. To name them is suflScieut. The Missouri 
Pacific and St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern furnish rival lines and 
some competition to St. Louis. The Hannibal & St. Joseph, and the 
Kansas City & Northern to Moberly, and then the Missouri, Kan- 
sas & Texas supply like facilities to Chicago. Keeping in view 
these competitive lines alone, no other place in the valley of the Mis- 
souri approaches these advantages." 

Fifteen years have passed away since this meeting was held and 



;n^ 



^r 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 383 



tbe predictions of Col. Cobb and others were made regarding the 
future developments of the State of Kansas and of its metropolis, 
Kansas City. A glance at the map of this great State will show that 
the Kansas Pacific (now the Union Pacific), as it follows up the valley 
of the Kansas River and crosses the State to the westward, is fed 
with other railroads and branch lines, especially on the north side, 
as the river is fed by its tributary streams, and thus it reaches all 
the northern part of tbe State, except a few counties in the northeast 
corner thereof, and Kansas City has direct communication with all 
of these couuties by way of the Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern 
and the Missouri Pacific lines. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, as 
it passes up the Kansas River on the south side, and swings south- 
westerly across to the Arkansas Valley, with its many branches and 
connections, gives Kansas City direct communication with nearly all 
of the southern part of the State. 

In short, all parts of the State not directly reached from Kansas 
City by the two great trunk line railways above named and their 
branches and connections are reached by way of the Missouri Pacific 
system, the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf, and other railways. 
In the last fifteen years the eastern half of the State has become a 
network of railroads, as predicted by Mr. Cobb in his address, and 
since proven by the developments: " The mouth of the Kansas River 
is the natural site for the metropolis of the Missouri Valley." And most 
assuredly Kansas City, Kas. , has become, beyond dispute, the me- 
tropolis of the State. However, some things are lacking in this modern 
city, the acquisition or building of which will greatly advance its 
business and growth. One of these is the providing of more and better 
hotel facilities, and the establishing of wholesale commercial houses 
able to compete with those on the Missouri side of the State line. 

In 1886 the cities of Wyandotte, the former city of Kansas City, 
Kas., and Armourdale, together with many additions and other 
territory, were consolidated into one city under one government, 
according to the governor's proclamation, of which the following is a 
triie copy: 



^jr 




GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION. 

Declaring Kansas City, Armoitrdale and Wyandotte a city of the 

FIRST CLASS, UNDER THE NAME OF KaNSAS CiTY. 

State of Kansas, ) 
Executive Department, \ 

ToPEKA, March 6tb, 18S6. 

" Whereas, It appears by certificate of the County Clerk of Wyan- 
dotte county, Kansas, bearing date of February 16, 188B, and filed in 
this Department on the 19th day of February, 1886, that the following 
cities, to wit: Armourdale, Kansas City and Wyandotte, neither of 
which is a city of the first class, lying adjacent to each other, and not 
more than three-fourths of one mile apart, have attained, and that the 
aggregate population of said adjacent cities, as shown by the last cen- 
sus, taken under the laws of this State, now is fifteen thousand and 
upwards: and 

" Whereas, It further appears by said certificate of the County Clerk 
of Wyandotte county, Kansas, that the boundaries of said city of Ar- 
mourdale are as follows: ' Commencing at the center of section twen- 
ty-two (22), township eleven (11) south, range twenty-five east; thence 
west twenty-six hundred and forty (2640) feet; thence north twenty- six 
hundred and forty(2640)feet; thence east thirteen hundred and twenty 
(1320) feet; thence north eight hundred and fifty-four (854) feet; 
thence east three hundred and thirty (330) feet; thence south six hiin- 
dred and sixty-one (061) feet; thence east to the quarter section line 
running north and south through the center of section fifteen (15) in 
said township and range; thence north eight hundred and forty (840) 
feet; thence east one hundred and seventy-five (175) feet; thence north 
four hundred and fifty- five (455) feet; thence east three hundred and 
five (305) feet; thence north one hundred and sixty (160) feet; thence 
east five hundred and eighty (580) feet; thence south ten hundred and 
thirty-one (1031) feet; thence south twenty-two degrees (22) and fiftv 
minutes (50) east, three hundred and twenty-five (325) feet; thence south 
eight hundred and ninety (8*J0) feet; thence south thirty-two degrees 
(32) west, twenty-two hundred and twenty-one feet to the place of be- 
ginning,' having a population of fifteen hundred and eighty-two (1 582), 
as shown by the last census taken under the laws'of this State; that the 
boundaries of said city of Kansas City are as follows: • Commencing 
in the middle of the Kansas River, at a point where the same is inter- 
sected by the dividing line between sections fourteen (14) and twenty- 
three (23), in township eleven (11) south, range twenty-five (25) east; 



'k 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 385 



thence east to the line dividing the states of Kcausas and Missouri; 
thence north along said State line to the middle of the Missouri River: 
thence np said Missouri River northwesterly to a point where the 
middle of the Kansas River intersects the same; thence up the middle of 
the Kansas River to the place of liegiuning,' and that said city has a 
population of thirty- eight hundred and two (3802), as shown by the 
last census, taken under the laws of this State; that the bounda- 
ries of said city of Wyandotte are as follows: 'Commencing on the 
eastern boundary of the State of Kansas where the same is intersected 
by the Second Staudard Parallel; thence west along said Standard Par- 
■ aUel to the northwest corner of section four (4), in township eleven (11) 
south, and range twenty-five (25) east; thence south to the southwest 
corner of section nine (9), in said township and range; thence east to 
the southeast corner of said section nine (9); thence south to the north 
line of the Right of Way of the Union Pacific Railway Company (Kan- 
sas Division); thence easterly along the north line of said Right of 
Way fourteen hundred and fifty ( 1450) feet; thence north thirty de. 
grees (30) east, nine hundred and forty- five (945) feet; thence south 
eighty-one degrees (Sl°) and forty-five minutes (45) west, one hun- 
dred and fifty (150) feet; thence north fifteen hundred (1500) feet; 
thence east to the east line of the Right of Way of the Union Pacific 
Company (Kansas Division); thence south along the east line of the said 
Right of Way to the quarter section line running east and west through 
the center of said section fifteen (15), township eleven (11), range 
twenty-five (25) east; thence east to the center of the Kansas River; 
thence to the middle of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers to the point 
of beginning,' and that said city has a population of twelve thousand 
and eighty-six (12,086), as shown by the last census, taken under the 
laws of this State. 

■'Now, Therefore, I, John A. Martin, Governor of the State of Kan- 
sas, do hereby declai'e and proclaim, under and by virtue of the author- 
ity vested in me by an act of the Legislature of the State of Kansas, 
entitled ' An act to provide for the consolidation of cities,' approved 
February 11, 18S6, and an act supplemental and amendatory thereof, 
approved February 18, 1886, the said citizens of Armourdale, Kansas 
City and Wyandotte, to be consolidated, and to be one city, and a city 
of the first class, under the name of Kansas City, subject to the pro- 
visions of an act entitled ' An act to incorporate and regulate cities of 
the first class, and to repeal all prior acts relating thereto,' approved 
March 4, 1881. and amendments thereto, and that the boundaries of 



38(3 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



the said consolidated city are and shall be the boundary line aroiiad 
the outside of the said several cities so consolidated, as follows: 
' Commencing on the eastern boundary of the State of Kansas where 
the same is intersected by the Second Standard Parallel: thence west 
along the said Standard Parallel to the northwest corner of Section 
four (4), in township eleven (11) south, of range twenty-live (25) 
east; thence south to the southeast corner of section nine (9) in said 
township and range; thence east to the southeast corner of said sec- 
tion nine (9); thence south to the southwest corner of the northwest 
quarter of section twenty two (22), said township and range; thence 
east to the center of said section twenty-two (22); thence north thirty- 
two degrees (32°) and thirty-six minutes (36') east, twenty-two hun- 
dred and twenty- one (2221) feet; thence north eight hundred and 
ninety (890) feet; thence north twenty-two degrees (22°) and forty- 
five minutes (-tS') west, three hundred and twenty-live (325) feet; 
thence north to the quarter section line running east and west through 
the center of section fifteen (15). township eleven (11) south, range 
twenty-five (25) east; thence east to the center of the Kansas River; 
thence up along the center of said river to the section line between 
sections fourteen (14) and twenty-three (23), in said township and 
range; thence east to the State liae between the States of Kansas 
and Missouri ; thence north along said State line to the center of the 
Missouri River; thence up said Missouri River to the place of begin- 
ning.' 

" And I further declare and proclaim that the first election of officers 
of said consolidated city shall be held on Tuesday, the 6fch day of 
April, A. D. 1886, in the manner provided by the acts authorizing 
such consolidation. 

" In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and 
caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State. Done at the city of 
Topeka on the day and year first above written. 

By the Governor: Jno. A. M.4.rtin." 
E. B. Allen, Secretary of State. 

By W. T. Cavanadgh, Assistant Secretary of State." 

The original proclamation, as executed by the governor and duly 
certified by the Secretary of State on March 6, 1886, is on file in the 
office of the clerk of Wyandotte County. 



"^ fe r ' -« bK* 



..t. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



387 



CHAPTER XX. 



The Consolidated Cities— Review of the History of Consolidation 
—First and Subsequent Officials Since the Consolidation- 
Present City Officers— Wards AND Precincts— The City's Grkat 
Real Estate Interests— A City' of Homes— The City's Financi;s 
— Wonderful Progress of Street Improvement — Banks — Incoi;- 
poratedCompanies— Educational Progress AND Statistics— The 
Young Men's Christian Association— Reasons for the City's 
Growth — Kansas City's Manufacturing Status— Its Great 
Grain Market and Gigantic Elevators— Facts andFiguues from 
Reliable Sources OF the City's Remarkable Progress AND GuEAT 
Interests— The Census- A Suggestion of the Future— Armoui:- 
dale's Progress— The May'or's Annual Message. 1890. 



Extremes of fortune are true wisdom's test, 

And he's of men most wise who bears them best. — Cumberland. 



i,OTICEABLE as an incident in the "meeting of 
extremes ' " is the fact that the smallest county 
in the State of Kansas, Wyandotte, contains 
the most populous city in the State, Kansas 
City. Out of the more than 100 counties, not 
_^ '^ only is Wyandotte the smallest in extent, but 
^^^ she has less than one-half the area of the next 
largest county, Doniphan. When the geogra- 
pher, by public command, cut up Kansas into so many 
rigid squares or counties, he was no doubt puzzled what 
to do with that little tongue of land jutting out into the 
expanse of water formed by the junction of the Kan- 
sas and Missouri Rivers; so, to simplify matters, he 
made a separate county of it. Thus was formed little 
Wyandotte, the smallest, most populous and wealthiest 
county in the State. New York County stands to New 
York State in the same position, and Kansas City 
stands in the same relation to the State of Kansas as 
the eitv of New York stands to her State— its commercial capital. 




i "V 




Kansas City was formed in 1886 by a consolidation of live municipali- 
ties — Wyandotte, Armourdale, Armstrong, Riverview and Old Kansas 
City. This latter town was formed by the overflow of Kansas City in 
Missouri across the State line, and really forms a connecting link be- 
tween what is known in modern parlance as the two Kansas Cities — 
Kansas City, Kaa., and Kansas City, Mo. — really one city, divided 
only by a State line. We say really one city because they are joined 
together, not alone in interest, but actually so, many buildings on the 
State line standing really in two States. 

First, let us go back to history, for Kansas City has a romantic 
history, dating its origin to these aborigines of the soil, the red Indians. 
That observant writer. Max O'Rell, said, in his travels in our country, 
he had met many people with American traits, but had not yet seen a 
typical American. Some writer has recently said the typical American, 
if he ever comes, will closely resemble the Indian who grew up, una- 
dulterated by outside influence, through centuries on our soil. Kansas 
City, Kas., then has strong claim to be called typically American, 
for she has her origin from the Indiau's settlement, and many of her 
oldest inhabitants have Indian blood. 

Of the Ave towns out of which Kansas City, Kas., has been erected, 
Wyandotte was the oldest and principal one. The facts which go to 
make up its early history form the singular spectacle of a nation of 
Indians, brought to a high state of intelligence through the faithful 
labors of missionaries, joined to their own innate brightness of percep- 
tion, leading the van of civilization in a community, and tirst giving 
to the whites, who succeeded them, the blessings of religious instruc- 
tion and the privileges of a free education. De.scendants of the great 
Iroquois family, the Wyandottes were driven from their old home in 
the war with the Six Nations, more than two centuries ago. After 
sufPering various migrations, we find them, having remained faithful to 
the United States, after the War of 1812, placed on a reservation in 
Ohio. Then began the labors of the Methodist missionaries among 
them, one of whom reduced the language of the Wyandottes to writ- 
ing. The nation obtained to a high degree of education and refine- 
ment, and many intermarriages took place with the white people. 
They were moved to Kansas in 1843, numbering at that time 700 per- 
sons, and settled on the present site of Kansas City, calling their vil- 
lage by their name. They intermingled and intermarried with the 
whites, became active traders, and grew quite wealthy. In 1857 a 
party of four gentlemen from the East formed, with three of the In 



^ s r- 



dians, a town company, and proceeded to lay off streets, avenues and 
lots. A rush of people to the new town, not only from this country, 
but from Europe, at once took place, and while buildings were being 
put up as rapidly as carpenters could be procured, the people lived in 
tents. Before the close of the year, Wyandotte was a town of some 
1,400 population. In January, 1859, the town was erected into a city. 

The early history of old Kansas City is obscure and unimportant. 
In fact, the site of the first houses erected here, about 1857-58, is now 
covered by the Missjuri River. The town, which was settled by little 
better than squatters, was some time known as the Armstrong Float; 
thev gained their livelihood mostly by fishing. The Kansas City Town 
Company was formed in 1868; the streets were named after the orig- 
inal proprietors of the town. In 1871 the Armour Packing House 
was removed from Kansas City, Mo., to its present site, and this was 
the begining of the enormous amount of business now carried on here. 
The town was incorporated in 1872, and for a long time looked to 
Kansas City, Mo., for fire protection. This portion of the city con- 
tains the two largest interests in Kansas City— the stock yards and 
Armour's Packing House — and other great enterprises. 

That part of the city formerly known as Armourdale, named for 
the Armours, the packers, was platted in 1880, and incorporated as a 
town in 1882. and came into the consolidation in 1886, as already stated. 
It is the site of large manufacturing interests, presenting peculiar 
advantages to the manufacturer. Here are located Kingan & Co. , the 
largest exporters of hog-stuffs in the United States; also the largest 
dressed beef establishment, three other beef and pork packers, glue 
works, two fertilizer factories, two foundries, an agricultural imple- 
ment factory, the headquarters of two large oil companies, refining 
works and numerous smaller concerns. 

Armstrong and Kiverview are located about the center of the city, 
and still retain their names distinctive of the locaHty. These several 
formerly separate towns are rapidly being consolidated into one city, 
a city of over 50,000 inhabitants. The new streets being graded, in- 
stead of running east and west, pointing to Missouri, run north and 
south, thus connecting all sections. Tbe great thoroughfare in a short 
time will be Seventh Street, running from the extreme end of the city 
on the Missouri, on the north, to the Kansas, or Kaw, on the south. 
It crosses the railroads, which formerly divided Armourdale from 
the northern part of town, by an all-steel bridge, 1,600 feet long, 
twenty eight feet above the tracks, with a twenty- foot wagon way, a 



^f^ 



-fei. 



390 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



foot path, and twelve feet allowance for the electric motor car. The 
bridge was built of the most expensive material, the best engineers 
being engaged. It was paid for, one-third by the city, one-third by 
the Rock Island Railroad Company and one-third by the Union Pa- 
cific Railroad Company. 

Such is the story of Kansas City's beginning, growth, consolida- 
tion and subsequent wonderful development, told briefly and quickly — 
the merest sketch of former chapters, yet sufficiently full to serve as 
the introduction to the history of the Kansas City of today, the me- 
tropolis of Kansas, characterized by everything that appeals to the 
admiration of enterprising Americans. 

The first officers of the consolidated cities, to serve until April, 
18S7, were: Mayor, T. F. Hannan; city clerk, J. J. Moffitt; city 
treasurer, F. S. Merstetter; city attorney, W. S. Carroll; city engineer, 
J. H. Lasley; street commissioner, John Wren; fire marshal, J. K. 
Paul; city marshal, John Sheehan; police judge, M. J. Manning. 

The city officials from April, 1887, to April, 1889, were: Mayor, 
T. F. Hannan; city clerk, J. J. Moffitt; city treasurer, F. S. Mer- 
stetter; city attorney, W. S. Carroll; city engineer, A. W. Boeke; 
street commissioner, M. J. Manning; fire marshal, J. K. Paul; chief 
of police, O. K. Serviss; police judge, P. K. Leland; police commis- 
sioners, W. A. Simpson, George W. Bishop, R. W. Hilliker. 

The city officials at the present time are as follows. They were 
chosen to serve from April, 1889, to April, 1891: Mayor, W. A. Coy; 
city clerk, Benjamin Schnierle; assistant city clerk, B. L. Short; city 
counselor, L. W. Keplinger; city attorney, A. H. Cobb; city treas- 
urer, Charles P. Denison; city engineer, A. W. Boeke; street com- 
missioner, C. Patterson; fire marshal, W. J. Hill; license inspector. 
James Ferguson; stock inspector, L. F. Martin; commissoner of elec- 
tions, W. B. Taylor; city assessor, Frank Mapes; chief of police, S. S. 
Peterson; police judge, P. K. Leland; police commissioners, W. A. 
Simpson, president; J. W. Longfellow, secretary; George W. Bishop. 

The councilmen of the city of Kansas City, Kas., for 1886-87, 
were: C. Bohls, W. T. Brown, William Clow, E. Daniels, T. Flem 
ing, Charles Hains, S. McConnell, James Phillips, Con. Butler and 
J. C. Martin. 

The councilmen for 1887-88 were: Charles Bohls, T. D. Kelley, 
George McLean, L. F. Martin, William Miller, James Phillips, 
Charles Scheller, James Sullivan, James Varner, J. C. Martin. Joseph 
Peavev and J. C. Welsh. 



^ (f r- -~^ s \ 



f 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 391 



The conneilmen for 1888-89 were: Charles Bohls, H. C. Darby, 
Winfield Freeman* R. W. Hilliker, George McLean, L. F. Martin, 
Joseph Peavey, James Phillips, J. I. Packard, Charles Scheller, James 
Sullivan and J. C. Welsh. 

The conneilmen for 1889-90 were: H. C. Darby. M. J. Faherty, 
R. W. Hilliker, Walter Norton, Joseph Peavey, J. I. Packard, W. A. 
Pyle, Charles Scheller, James Sullivan, D. W. Troup, S. S. Peterson 
(succeeded by P. B. Hopkins), and Winfield Freeman (succeeded by 
James A. Young). 

The conneilmen for 1890-91 are: James Sullivan, M. J. Faherty, 
Charles Scheller, George C. Eaton, D. W. Troup, James A. Young, 
Frank M. Tracy, J. L. Jones, R. W. Hilliker, Walter Norton, W. A. 
Pyle, Harvey Allen. 

The wards and precincts of the city are thus officially designated 
and described: 

The First Ward comprises all that portion of the city of Kansas 
City, Kas., lying east of the Kansas River. First Precinct— All that 
portion of the First Ward lying south of the center line of the extension 
of Kansas Avenue east of the Kansas River, including the localities 
known as Toad-a-Loup and Greystone Heights. Second Precinct — 
All that portion of the First Ward lying between the center of Lyon 
Avenue (formerly Fifth Street), on the north and the extension of 
Kansas Avenue on the south. Third Precinct— All that portion of the 
First Ward lying north of the center of Lyon Avenue, extended from 
the Kansas River to the Missouri River. 

The Second Ward comprises all that portion of the city lying north 
of the center of old Ohio Avenue extended, and east of the center line 
of Fifth Street prolonged to the city limits on the north. Fourth 
Precinct— All that portion of the Second Ward lying south of the cen- 
ter line of Minnesota Avenue and east of the center line on Fifth Street. 
Fifth Precinct— All that portion of the Second Ward lying south of 
the center of Virginia Avenue, east of the center line of Fifth Street, 
and north of the center line of Minnesota Avenue. Sixth Precinct — 
All that poition of the Second Ward lying north of the center of Vir- 
ginia Avenuje, and east of the center line of Fifth Street, prolonged to 
the northern city limits. 

The Third Ward comprises all that portion of the city lying west 
of the center line of Fifth Street, prolonged to the northern city lim- 
its, and north to the center line of State Avenue. Seventh Precinct — 
All that portion of the Third Ward north of the tracks of the Chelsea 



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^1 



392 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Park branch of the elevated railway. Eighth Preoinct— All that por- 
tion of the Third Ward lying south of the tracks of the Chelsea Park 
branch of the elevated railway, and east to the center line of Ninth 
Street. Ninth Precinct — All that portion of the Third Ward lying 
south of the tracks of the Chelsea Park branch of the elevated rail- 
way, and west of the center line of Ninth Street. 

The Fourth Ward comprises all that portion of said city lying be- 
tween the center line of State Avenue on the north, the center line of 
Fifth Street on the east, the center line of old Ohio Avenue on the 
south and the city limits on the west. Teath Precinct — All that por- 
tion of the Fourth Ward lying west of the center line of Ninth Street. 
Eleventh Precinct — All that portion of the Fourth Ward lying east of 
the center line of Ninth Street, and north of the center line of Tau- 
romee Avenue. Twelfth Precinct — All that portion of the Fourth 
Ward lying east of the center of Ninth Street and south of the center 
ofTauromee Avenue. 

The Fifth ^^'ard comprises all that portion of said city lying be- 
tween the center line of old Ohio Avenue, and old Ohio Avenue ex- 
tended, on the north, the Kansas River on the east, the main line 
tracks of the Union Pacific Railway on the south, and the city limits 
on the west. Thirteenth Precinct —All that portion of the Fifth Ward 
lying east of the center line of Mill Street, and north of the tracks of 
the Riverview branch of the elevated railway. Fourteenth Precinct — 
All that portion of the Fifth Ward lying east of the center of Mill 
Street, and south of the tracks of the Riverview branch of the ele 
vated railway. Fifteenth Precinct— All that portion of the Fifth 
Ward lying west of the center line of Mill Street. 

The Sixth Ward comprises all that portion of said city lying south 
of the main line tracks of the Union Pacific Railway and west of the 
Kansas River. Sixteenth Precinct — All that portion of the Sixth 
Ward lying west of the center line of Coy Street (formerly Fourteenth 
Street in Armourdale). Seventeenth Precinct — All that portion of the 
Sixth Ward lying between the center line of Coy Street on the west, 
and the center line of Fourth Street (formerly Seventh Street in Ar- 
mourdale) on the east. Eighteenth Precinct — All that portion of the 
Sixth Ward lying east of the center of Fourth Street. 

Real estate since the consolidation has been one of the leading 
interests in the city's commerce. From a small beginning, as an ad- 
junct to the real estate business of Kansas City, Mo., it has attained 
to such proportions, independently, that Kansas City, Kas.. now ranks 



r 



as oue of the leading real estate centers of the West. For several 
years past the real estate transactions have aggregated nearly $1,- 
.000,000 annually. The following are the transfers for 1889, as com- 
pared with those of 1888: 

ISSll. 188,S. 

J«auary $ 915,000 $ 530.983 

February 697,896 848,473 

M'Tcli 638,094 545,408 

April 699,336 790.168 

May 974,367 933.330 

J'liie 1,007,990 1,030,330 

July 893,383 951,986 

August 514.503 .533,371 

September .505,383 433,851 

October 514,605 603,839 

November 1.343,066 1,387,371 

December 900,001) 843,.536 

Total $9,501,413 $9,399,634 

Without doubt, the year 1889 marked the opening of a wonderful 
era of building in Kansas City. Real estate, while commanding good 
figures, is yet so low as to allow a very handsome profit to those who 
build residences or business blocks, and for this reason houses of 
all descriptions have arisen as if by magic in every portion of the city. 
The safest and most conservative estimate of the number of buildings 
erected during the past year is 3,000. at a total cost of $4,200,000, or 
an average cost of $1,700 each. The portion of the city north of Min- 
nesota Avenue contains at least 1,500 of the new buildino-s, while the 
west and southwest and central portions contain the major portion of 
the balance. On Minnesota Avenue alone $250,000 has been placed 
into business blocks of the most substantial kind, which, as soon aa 
completed, were immediately filled with first-class merchants, who 
have been and are more than favorably impressed with the business 
importance of Kansas City. August 5, 1889, a system of building 
registration was instituted in the governmental department of the 
city, under the supervision of the city treasurer, whereby the pro- 
jector of a building is required to make application for a permit, giving 
a description of the intended building and also its probable cost. 
Quite a number of the buildings begun in the past year will not be com- 
pleted until late this year, showing that besides being built with care 
the buildings are immense in size. 

The class of buildings that were erected in 1889 is far superior to 
any built prior to this time, that is, taken as a whole. There are 



"^U 



i ^ 



^ 



394 HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



some cheap buildings, but the majority of structures erected are sub- 
stantial, well built and good looking. The old, and none too beauti- 
ful, plain box and "L" style has been relegated to that obscurity 
which it so richly merits, and houses and cottages of pretty design 
and pleasing exterior have taken their places. Not only are the out- 
side improvements noticeable, but a wonderful change has come over 
the internal arrangement of the houses. They are modern in every 
respect, and replete with the latest improvements, both artistic and 
useful. In business houses the change has been equally as pro- 
nounced and remarkable. Minnesota Avenue a very few years ago, 
could boast of no office buildings that were such as should adorn a 
principal street of a city like this, but a vast change has come over 
the appearance of that thoroughfare. Nearly a quarter of a million 
dollars was expended in buildings on this street during 1889, and 
the structures erected are as handsome and substantial as any to be 
found in the \Vest. One noticeable feature is the westward tendency 
of the buildings, all of the new buildings of any size or importance hav- 
ing been put up west of Fifth Street. Riverview and the South Side 
have also come in for their share of new buildings, and a vast amount 
of money has been expended in these localities. 

The section of the city, however, in which the bulk of the build- 
ing was done is north of Minnesota Avenue. The various additions 
that adorn that part of the city are fairly alive with carpenters, brick- 
layers, painters and plasterers. It is impossible to st'and at any point 
without seeing from one to a dozen houses under process of con- 
struction. A factor that has done much to build up and populate this 
part of the city is the excellent system of rapid transit with which it 
is blessed. The western and southwestern part of the city and the 
central and southern parts have been aided in the same manner. Her 
business future assured, Kansas City is becoming more and more a 
city of homes. Men who have made fortunes and competencies here 
are preparing to enjoy them here. The residence section of the city 
is beinc extended in every direction in a most substantial and attract- 
ive manner, while here and there large apartment houses further tes- 
tify to the demand for homes. Many of the new residences are of the 
most modern construction and ornaments to the city, as they would be 
to any city of the country. Among the permits, too, are some for 
the construction of business houses of a superior character. The 
whole building record shows the substantial piogress of Kansas City 
in the right direction, her home-building at last keeping abreast of 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 395 



her business advance. The feature about the past year's business is 
that so many small sales have been made. It would seem that the 
mechanic, artisan and laboring man is providing himself with a home 
in the consolidated city. Outside and suburban property figures 
more largely in the transfers than anything else. It would be diffi- 
cult to say that any one section of the surrounding suburban residence 
property was favored in this respect more than any other. 

In this city the cost of grading a street is borne by the property 
owners whose lots abut on the street improved. The cost of curbing 
and paving is borne by the property adjacent, extending to the middle 
of the block. In both cases the cost of the improvement is assessed 
against the property block by block. That is, each block pays for its 
own improvement. The cost of improving the cross-sections of the 
streets is jjaid by the city at large. When a street is improved, the 
city issues internal improvement bonds, running ten years, and bear- 
ing six per cent interest, for an amount sufficient to cover the cost of 
the improvement. These bonds are sold at the market price, ranging 
from II. OH to $1.02, and the contractor is j>aid out of the proceeds. 
This amount is apportioned and assessed against each lot, or parcel of 
land, according to its appraised value. The property owner may, if he 
choses, pay the entire special tax assessed against his property as soon 
as it is apportioned, and save the interest, six per cent; or if he does not 
choose to do so, it is divided into ten equal installments, and assessed 
against his property as taxes. In this way he has ten years in which 
to pay for the improving of the street adjacent to his property. The 
special improvement bonds are assumed by the city. They form a 
part of the bonded indebtedness, and enter into the debt statements of 
the municipality. The law allows the tax-payer to pay one-half of his 
annual taxes on or before December 20 of each year, and the remain- 
ing half on or before June 20 of the following year — really divides the 
special taxes up into twenty semi-annual installments, still lightening 
the burden of special improvements. 

A careful compilation of the real estate statistics for the first half of 
the year 1890 show that without the aid of booming times and easy 
money the metropolis is going to rejaeat the tigures of last year. 
Every city in the Union has, with few exceptions, experienced a period 
of dullness in both business growth and real estate sales, but Kansas 
City is holding her own and presents the tigures, 14,388,547, repre- 
senting 1,403 transfers of realty since the year began. The average 
amount of each transfer is $3,127.75, or a trifle larger sum than the 



896 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



r 



average of last year, which fact, together with the smaller sales 
of this year, goes to show that the commodity is increasing in value. 

The following table gives the figures of each week up to June 28 : 



Week ending, 1890. 



January 5. . 
January 13. . 
January 19. . 
January 26. . 
February 3.. 
February 9 
February 16 
February 33 

March 3 

March 9 . . , 

March 16 

March 33. . . . 
March 30. . . 

April 6 

April 13 

April 30 

April 37. . . . 

May 4 

May 11 

May 18 

May 35 .... 

June 1 

June 15 

June 23 

June 28 

Total. 



$ 37,635 
157.831 
136.598 
160,900 
113,400 
140,191 
238,313 
130,400 
235,397 
303,176 
303,411 
375,960 
300,049 
241,100 
210,3.57 
105,72(1 
337,900 
154,840 
141,001 
167,674 
130,653 
340,101 
131,406 
115,905 
112,010 



14,388,547 



The financial affairs of Kansas City are in an excellent condition. 
Her bonds, issued for the purpose of paying for special improvements, 
bearing interest at 6 per cent per annum, find ready takers in the 
money market at a premium of from 2 to 2| per cent. The entire 
bonded indebtedness of the city, including bonds aggregating $170,- 
000, issued by the former cities of Wyandotte and Kansas City, Kas. , 
amounts to $1,670,749.86. Of this amount over $1,500,000 was 
issued in payment of special improvements, which are paid by the 
property- holders in the several taxing districts where the work, for 
the payment of which the bonds were issued, was done. In most 
States special improvement bonds do not enter into the debt statement 
of the city. The assessed valuation of the property in Kansas City, 
Kas., is $8,425,629.97. The average assessed valuation is considera- 
bly less than one fourth of its real value. According to this estimate 



^-^ 



A- 



J^i 



'k. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 397 



the market value of the property would be in round numbers 140,000,- 
000. Below is given the bonded indebtedness of the city: 

Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northwestern Railway 

bonds f 30,000 00 

Viaduct and bridge 30,000 00 

Special assessment and internal improvement bonds. 1,464,044 OO 

Total issued §1,. 524.044 00 

Special assessment bonds ordered issued and sold, 
but not registered 56,716 80 

Total |1,. 580, 760 80 

Bonds redeemed 80,550 00 

Bonded indebtedness $1,. 500,210 80 

In Kansas City, Kas., the rate of taxation, State, county and city, 
is 45 mills, or 4| per cent. In the former city of Wyandotte the rate 
is 51 J mills; in the former city of Armourdale the rate is 40 ^\ 
mills; in the former city of Kansas City, Kas., the rate is 42^\ 
mills. The average for the three portions which compose Kansas 
City, Kas., is 45 mills, or 4J per cent on the assessed valuation. 

During the past three years seventeen miles of streets have been 
paved out of a total of -240 miles, while previous to that time about 
three miles were paved, making a total of twenty miles of paved streets 
in the city. The number of miles of streets graded within the same 
period is 34.81. This has not only been the means of beautifying the 
city and facilitating street travel, but it has increased the value of 
property wonderfully. Two of the most important improvements are 
now under construction — the viaduct over the Union Pacific and Eock 
Island yards at Armstrong and the new bridge across the Kaw at the 
foot of Foiirth Street. The construction of the sewerage system in 
the Sixth Ward and the Splitlog Creek sewers cost an immense amount 
of money, but they are very valuable improvements. There was ex- 
pended by the city in 1889, almost 11,000,000 for public works, appro- 
priated as follows: 

Grading 607,134 cubic yards, 6.51 miles $101,739 

Paving, 159,379 square yards. 6.66 miles 259,048 

Curbing 63,007 lineal feet 6.16 miles 80,343 

Sidewalks, 19.64 miles 33,639 

Sewers .* 180,,578 

Eigbtli Street Bridge (county) 60,000 

Miscellaneous 96,785 

Grand figures are they that show nearly a half million dollars 
spent in obliterating the mud from the streets, placing instead the 



T 






398 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



splendid asphalt or cedar block paving. Man is not known by the 
clothes he wears, yet a city is to be fairly judged by its streets. Dur- 
ing the year 1889 the paving record reached the enormous total 
of 35,235 feet, or 6.66 miles, for which the city paid in cash 
$259,048. Streets once hilly in spots, with the inevitable mud hole 
further on, have given place to veritable boulevards and wide aveniies. 
The past year has seen the following streets and avenues brought 
from disfigured homeliness into thriving and beauteous thoroughfares: 
Bridge Street, from Riverside Avenue to the Kaw River; Central 
Avenue, from Park to Eighteenth Street; Fifth Street, from Reynolds 
Avenue to Bridge Street; Freeman Avenue, from Sixth to Seventh 
Street: Kansas Avenue, from Railroad Avenue to the East Side city 
limits; Minnesota Avenue, from Fourth Street to Eighth Street; Ohio 
Avenue, from Seventh to Tenth Street; Osage Avenue, from Adams 
to Twelfth Street; Seventh Street, from Ohio to Central Avenue, and 
from Oakland to Parallel Avenue; Sixth Street, from Virginia to Par- 
allel Avenue; Tauromee Avenue, from Sixth to Seventh Street; Or- 
ville Avenue, from Sixth to Seventh Street. The era of sidewalk 
building in the city was during the past year, when nineteen and one- 
fourth miles were laid, costing $33,639.19, thus running the grand 
total of street and sidewalk expenditures up to the stupendous amount 
of 1424,769.03. To undertake the great amount of work done in this 
direction during the past year reflects fir.st, great credit and enterprise 
upon the citizens of Kansas City, and then upon the city engineer and 
his assistant. With the coming year these officials' duties will not be 
decreased, but on the contrary, they will be increased, by reason of the 
improvements that are yet to be made in the streets of the city. 

Ten lirst-class banks are located in this city with a combined capital 
of over $1,000,000, and a paid-up capital of nearly $900,000. The bank 
reports show a healthy state of affairs existing among these institutions, 
which must be gratifying to all who have the welfare of the city at 
heart: 

Capital paid up .| 8.56,000 

Surplus and undivided protits 172,097 

Deposits 1,781,432 

The following is the cash capital of the ten local banks : 

Northrup Banking Company $100,000 

Stock Yards Bank 200,000 

First National 100,000 

Wyandotte National 100,000 



*^s 



■ ^'^^ --'= ^'^ 




Exchange National 51,000 

Aimourdale Bank 30,000 

Citizens' Bank 25,000 

Central Avenue Bank 27,600 

Wyandotte I.oan and Trust Company 100,000 

Fidelity Savings Bank 100,000 

Total paid up capital ?833,600 

These banking institutions are located and officered as follovv's: 

Armourdale Bank, 410 Kansas Avenue, A. W. Little, president; 
N. McAlpine, vice-president; J. R. Quarles, cashier; A. S. Lemtuon. 
assistant cashier. 

Central Bank of Kansas (The). Central Aventie. junction of Simp- 
son Avenue, Samuel W. Day, president; R. W. Hilliker, cashier. 

Citizens' Bank, 401 Kansas Avenue, C. E. Moss, president; S. D. 
Beard, vice-president; S. S. Kirby, secretary ; J. J. Hovey, cashier. 

Exchange Bank, 427 Minnesota Avenue, I. D. Wilson, president; 
Charles Lovelace, vice-president; A. W. Little, cashier. 

Fidelity Savings Bank, 551 Minnesota Avenue. J. D. Husted, pres- 
ident; John Blomquist, vice-president; C. E. Husted, cashier. 

First National Bank of Kansas City, Kas. , Minnesota Avenue, 
southeast corner Sixth, D. R. Emmons, president; J. D. Husted. vice- 
president: William Albright, cashier. 

Kansas City Stock Yards Bank, Kansas City Stock Yards Exchange, 
C. F. Morse, president; M. W. St. Clair, cashier; W. C. Henrici, as- 
sistant cashier. 

Northrup Banking Company, 501 Minnesota Avenue, H. M. North- 
rup. president; A. B. Northrup, vice-president; K. L. Browne, cashier; 
E. N. Lovelace, assistant cashier. 

Wyandotte National Bank, Minnesota Avenue, northeast corner 
Fifth, Isaac La Grange, president; A. N. Moyer, vice-president; 
C. W. Trickett, cashier. 

There are in the city the following incorporated companies, devoted 
to real estate, investments, loans, mantifacturing, publishing and gen- 
eral and miscellaneous interests. 

Acme Investment Company, 531| Minnesota Avenue; D. E. Stoner, 
president; George Stumpf, vice-president; C. G. Eaton, secretary 
and treasurer. 

Allcutt Packing Company, county road, between Osage and Kansas 
Aventies; W. P. Allcutt, president; C. T. Allcutt, vice-president; 
E. H. Allcutt, secretary and treasurer. 



\fU r- 



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^\' 



,l> 



400 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



American Land & Trust Company, 26 First National Bank Build- 
ing; W. R. Stebbins, president; C. M. White, secretary and treasurer. 

American Live Stock Commission Company, 04 and 65 Kansas 
City Stock Yards Exchange; H. W. Creswell, president; Samuel 
Lazarus, vice-president; Paul Phillips, treas. ; J. W. T. Gray, secretary. 

Argentine Sand Company, Twenty-third and Kaw River bank; 
T. T. Lewis, president; H. A. Blossom, secretary and treasurer; G. 
W. Bransford, superintendent. 

Armour Butterine Company, Levee, foot of State; K. B. Armour, 
president; A. R. Turley, secretary. 

Armourdale Foundry Company, Kansas Avenue, southeast corner 
Adams; Robert Gillham, president; Gus. P. Marty, vice president 
and treasurer; John Gillham, Jr., secretary and general manager. 

Armourdale Heights Land Company, 553 Minnesota Avenue; J. 
D. Husted, president; T. H. Rowland, vice-president; C. A. Al- 
bright, secretary and treasurer. 

Armourdale Safe Investment Association, 201 Kansas Avenue; J. 
M. Enochs, president; C. F. Buchholder, secretary; W. J. Brouse, 
treasurer. 

George R. Barse Live Stock Commission Company, Kansas City 
Stock Yards Exchange; G. R. Barse, president; George Holmes, vice- 
president; J. A. Waite, secretary and treasurer. 

Bonner Springs Town Company, 553 Minnesota Avenue; D. R. 
Emmons, president; J. D. Husted, secretary and treasurer. 

Boujevard Investment Company, 553 Minnesota Avenue; J. D. 
Husted, president; T. H. Rowland, vice-president; E. M. Smith, 
secretary and treasurer. 

Boulevard Land Company, 553 Minnesota Avenue; J. D. Husted, 
president: E. M. Smith, secretary and treasurer. 

Boulevard Park Company, 553 Minnesota Avenue; J. D. Husted, 
president; T. H Rowland, vice-president; E. M. Smith, secretary and 
treasurer. 

The J. H. Campbell Co., 24 Kansas City Stock Yards Exchange; 
J. H. Campbell, president; J. F. Wares, vice-president; J. H. Mc- 
Farland, secretary and treasurer. 

Chelsea Investment Company, S Odd Fellows Building; D. M. 
Edgerton, president; W. E. Barnhart, secretary. 

Consolidated Electric Light & Power Company, corner Fifth and 
Central Avenue; I. D. Wilson, president; Marcus Harris, vice-presi- 
dent and treasurer; B. Schnierle, secretary. 



^, 



-'f 




liUllAL MIDSUMMEU 



Consolidated Iron Works Company, Fourth, near Central Avenue; 
C. R. Griffith, Jr., president; S. J. Thomson, vice president; R. B. 
Thomas, treasurer; T. O. Cunningham, secretary. 

Dobyns & Fields Live Stock Commission Company, 60 Kansas City 
Stock Yards Exchange; J. B. Dobyns, president ; Joseph E. Field, 
secretary and treasurer. 

Driggs Manufacturing Company, 15 and 17 Ewing; T. C. Driggs, 
president; S. M. Stone, vice-president; E. R. Stone, treasurer; R. E. 
Stone, secretary. 

English & American Mortgage Company, 553 Minnesota Avenue; 
Henry Seton Karr, D. R. Emmons, chairmen; G. L. O. Davidson, L. 
T. Gray, secretaries; Eli H. Chandler, manager. 

Evans, Snider, Buel Co., 16 and 17 Kansas City Stock Yards Ex- 
change; A. G. Evans, president; Chester A. Snider, treasurer; A. T. 
Atvyater. secretary. 

Fish & Keck Co., 9 and 10 Kansas City Stock Yards Exchange; 
G. O. Keck, president; F. O. Fish, secretary and treasurer. 

Hopkins Planing Mill Company, Kansas Avenue, northeast corner 
Adams; P. B. Hopkins, president; O. L. Miller, vice-president. 

Husted Building Company, 553 Minnesota Avenue; J. D. Husted, 
president; T. H. Rowland, vice-president; E. M. Smith, secretary 
and treasurer. 

Husted Investment Company, The, 553 Minnesota Avenue: J. D. 
Husted, president; F. D. Coburn, second vice-president; O. R. Burn- 
ham, secretary. 

International Mining Company, 553 Minnesota Avenue; P. W. 
Mikesell, president; G. W. Hunt, secretary; C. S. Rogers, treasurer. 

Kansas Broom Manufacturing Company, The, llOBerger Avenue; 
J. F. Frese. president and treasurer; C. O. W. Stolte, vice-president; 

A. W. Lewis, secretary. 

Kansas City Gas Light & Heating Company, 612 Minnesota 
Avenue; Winlield Freeman, president; N. McAlpine, vice-president; 
H. S. Smith, secretary and treasurer; J. F. Williams, manager. 

Kansas City Glue & Fertilizer Company, Osage Avenue, corner 
Adams; L. M. Darling, president; William Peet, vice-president; H. 

B. Arnold, secretary and general manager; W. F. Wyman, treasurer; 
G. R. Collins, superintendent. 

Kansas City Ice Company, 553 Minnesota Avenue; L. H. Wood. 
president; S. E. Harness, treasurer and manager. 

Kansas City Live Stock Exchange, State corner Sixteenth; H. 



^f^ 







p. Child, president; Frank Cooper, vice-president; W. C. Henrici, 
treasurer; R. P. Woodbury, secretary. 

Kansas City Packing & Chase Refrigerating Company, Osage Ave- 
nue, corner Baird; F. H. Odiorne, president; George E. Parker, 
treasurer; A. F. Nathan, secretary. 

Kansas City Refrigerator Car Company, east side James, opposite 
Splitlog Avenue; George Fowler, president; G. A. Fowler, vice-presi- 
dent; M. M. Vincent, secretary and general agent. 

Kansas City Soap Company, 18 to 22 North Second; G. W. Hal- 
lar, president; C. R. Hallar, treasurer; R. R. Kreeger; secretary. 

Kansas City Stock Yards Company, State, corner Sixteenth; C. F. 
Adams, Jr., president; C. F. Morse, general manager; E. E. Richard- 
son, secretary and treasurer; H. P. Child, superintendent; Eugene 
Rust, assistant superintendent. 

Kansas City Water Company, 813 North Sixth: G. E. Taintor, 
president; L. M. Lawson, vice-president; Robert Weems, secretary 
and treasurer. 

Kansas City & Wyandotte Pressed Brick Company, west side 
Fifth, one block south of " L" road; J. F. Perdue, president; D. 
W. Longwell, vice-president; Charles F. Gilmore, general manager; W. 
K. Reeme, secretary and treasurer. 

Kansas Desiccating & Refining Company, east side Adams, be- 
tween Wyoming and Shawnee Avenues; C. F. Morse, manager; E. E. 
Richardson, secretary and treasurer; C. W. Bangs, superintendent. 

Kansas Elevator, 657 Adams; E. D. Fisher, president; A. S. 
Pierce, vice president; R. E. Belch, secretary and treasurer. 

Kansas Paving & Construction Company, 538 Minnesota Avenue; 
George Jenkins, president; G. A. Libbey, secretary. 

Kansas Triphammer Brick Works. Waverly Avenue, corner North 
Second; Tillman Puetz, Jr., president; E. F. Andrews, vice-presi- 
dent and manager; J. Kraemer, secretary. 

Kansas & Missouri Land & Investment Company, 553 Minnesota 
Avenue; T. A. Scott, president and treasurer; R. H. Hamilton, vice- 
president; Mac Armstrong, secretary. 

Kaw Valley Investment Company, 558 Minnesota Avenue; J. D. 
Husted, president; W. H. Humphrey, vice-president; E. M. Smith, 
Secretary and treasurer. 

Kerr Refractory Composition Company, 411 Minnesota Avenue; 
R. McAlpine, president; M. W. Clay, vice-president; N. McAlpine, 
treasurer; G. R. Clay, secretary; T. B. Kerr, general manager. 



lA 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 403 



Keystone Iron Works Company, Central Avenue, corner Fourth; 
James Smith, president; T. B. Bullene, vice-president; L. B. Bul- 
lene. secretary and treasurer. 

London Heights Home & Improvement Company, 51 Wyandotte 
National Bank Building; C. P. Pierce, president; L. H. Wood, 
vice-president; N. A. Mann, secretary. 

McNair Land Company, 9 Odd Fellows Building; D. E. Tyler, 
secretary. 

Merriam Park Land & Improvement Company, 523 Minnesota 
Avenue; S. Dingee, president; L. H. Dingee, secretary. 

Missouri Valley Coal & Mining Company, 553 Minnesota Avenue; 
J. H. Austin, president; T. B. George, secretary and treasurer. 

Orchard Place Land Company, 553 Minnesota Avenue; J. D. 
Husted, president; E. M. Smith, secretary and treasurer. 

Riverside Improvement Company, 553 Minnesota Avenue; J. I. 
Reynolds, president; N. McAlpine, vice-president; H. H. Reynolds, 
secretary and treasurer. 

Riverview Land & Improvement Company, 8 Odd Fellows Build- 
ing; Robert Gillham, president; D. D. Hoag, secretary. 

Saratoga Springs Town Company, 523 Minnesota Avenue; S. Din- 
gee, president; L. H. Dingee, secretary. 

Sunnyside Homestead Company, 8 Odd Fellows Building; D. D. 
Hoag, president; Winfield Freeman, secretary. 

Swift & Co., North Berger Avenue, west of stock-yards; Gr. F. 
Swift, president; E. C. Swift, vice-president; L. Swift, treasurer; D. 
E. Hartwell, secretary. 

The B. F. Pratt Consolidated Coal & Cooperage Company, Osage 
Avenue, corner Belt Railway; B. F. Pratt, president; A. Bloch, vice- 
president; E. D. Pratt, treasurer; T. L. Pratt, secretary. 

The Gazette Company, publishers Kansas City Gazette, 720 North 
Sixth; G. W. Martin, president; J. J. Maxwell, secretary; J. F. Tim- 
mons, D. J. Griest, D. E. Cornell, directors. 

The Whittaker Brick Company, Fifth, northwest corner New 
Jersey Avenue; W. H. Smith, president and treasurer; J. F. Getty, 
secretary; T. Dwight Ives, manager; George C. Little, superintend- 
ent. 

United States Detective Bureau, 49 Wyandotte National Bank 
Building; F. J. Brown, president; J. E. Pritchard, secretary. 

West Lawn Land Company, 553 Minnesota Avenue; J. D. Hus- 
ted, president; E. M. Smith, secretary and treasurer. 



^ 



^^ 



404 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



White Church Town Site & Improvement Company, 553 Minne- 
sota Avenue; D. D. Hoag, president; \\. H. Young, secretary; F. 
C. Woestemeyer, treasurer. 

Wyandotte Coal & Lime Company, 553 Minnesota Avenue; L. H. 
Wood, president; J. B. Scroggs, vice president; U. V. Widener, sec- 
retary; W. P. Overton, treasurer; C. K. Wood, auditor, S. E. Har- 
ness, general manager. 

Wyandotte Consolidated Land Company, 8 Odd Fellows Build- 
ing; D. M. Edgerton, president; D. D. Hoag, secretary. 

Wyandotte County Coal & Mining Company, 553 Miami Avenue; 
W. P. Overton, president; W. H. Young, secretary. 

Wyandotte Loan & Trust Company, Minnesota Avenue, northeast 
corner Fifth; W. S. Beard, president; G. L. Kroh, vice-president; A. 
N. Moyer, secretary; C. W. Trickett, treasurer. 

The public schools of Kansas City, Kas., bring up their portion of 
the grand advancement of the '" Consolidated Cities." " Nineteen schools 
show an aggregate of 6,000 pupils, while 2,500 eligible children, in 
addition to this number, do not attend school. This would bring the 
total up to 8, 500 with a full attendance. To receive an accurate idea 
of the phenomenal growth of the public school system of the city, the 
statistics of 1887 should be considered, when less than 2, 100 scholars 
were enrolled, utilizing the efforts of forty teachers. At present 112 
instructors are necessary, showing a precentage of gain of 160 percent 
in teachers, while the enrollment percentage is nearly 200. It re- 
mains to be ascertained whether or not these startling figures have ever 
been equaled by any city in the United States, after the city had first 
attained a population of 10,000. The amount paid in salaries to the 
teachers in aggregate reaches the sum of $50,000. Other incidental 
expenses of the nineteen schools bring the total expenditure for the 
year up to $68,000 in round numbers. Owing to existing State laws, 
the board of education has been subjected to most severe financial 
straits, and it was with difficulty that the present high percentages 
were maintained by reason of this lack of funds. During 1889 about 
$80,000 of the building fund was absorbed by new sites and school 
edifices. 

The course of study pursued is definitely outlined by weeks' work, 
and is very uniformly and successfully carried out by an efficient corps 
of teachers. The most conspicuous innovation is perhaps in the course 
of study in numbers. What may be called the combination method has 
been introduced by the board of education, and is being successfully 

e) ' ~ •" ^ 




taugbt in all the schools. The results are that the pupils add, subtract, 
multiply and divide rapidly and accurately, doing away with old fash- 
ioned methods. The present board of education has accomplished a 
large amount of work in all the territory over which it has control. The 
names of the gentlemen are as follows: William Tennell, W. T. Mead, 
Benjamin Franklyn, M'. S. Beard, Joseph H. Gadd, James S. Gibson, 
Capt. J. P. Northrup, E. N. Towner, E. G. Wright, G. W. Loomis, 
J. S. Perkins and B. G. Short. The officers of the board are J. H. 
Gadd, president; Benjamin Franklyn, vice-president; J. P. Root, 
clerk: C. A. Dennison, treasiirer. 

A worthy and useful adjunct to the churches of the city is the 
Young Men's Christian Association, under the following management: 
Officers — D. E. Tyler, president; John W. Bunn, vice-president; B. 

F. Berry, treasurer; W. T. Taylor, recording secretary. Directors — 
D. E. Tyler, John W. Bunn, C. W. Trickett. W. H. Lewis, H. M. 
Sparrow, W. T. Taylor, B. F. Berry, W. S. Hannah, C. L. Simpson, 

G. W. Loomis, James Johnson, J. E. "Wilson. Dr. J. C. Martin; 
George N. DeWolf, general secretary. 

It will be of interest to many to know what has been done 
recently toward the erection of a new Y. M. C. A. building in this 
city. For some time past the members of- the central branch have 
been making plans and preparations, and it was during the month of 
May that the first steps were taken. A meeting was called to see how the 
people in the immediate vicinity felt about taking hold of the new enter- 
prise, viz., the erection of a three story Y. M. O. A. building, 50x110 
feet, to be located at the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Cen- 
tral Avenue, to contain a gymnasium, hall, library and reading room, 
and to cost about S20,000. At this meeting more than 200 assembled 
in the Central Branch Y. M. C. A. hall. Enthusiastic speeches were 
made on the subject, and $1,800 was raised. A committee was 
appointed to solicit subscriptions and report at a meeting to be held 
the following week. The committee then went out among the busi- 
ness men of the city and met with excellent success. Every one 
seemed to take an interest in the new building. At the next meeting 
the committee reported that over $3,000 had been subscribed, and two 
new members were added to the committee to solicit funds. The 
committee of management have felt for some time past that it was a 
disgrace for a city of almost 50,000 inhabitants not to have a Y. M. 
C. A. building, while other cities much smaller than this throughout 
the State were supporting one; but they fully realized the obstacles to 



"Hts r- 



-® \ 



406 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



be overoomo in lociitiug a building which wouKl ho convenient to all 
in such a scattered city as this. They made a special study of the 
iiuestion, and at last, after looking the ground over, they found no 
more favorable location than the northeast corner of Si.xth Street and 
tlontral Avenue. The new electric road now under construction to 
Armourdale will make this an accessible point for the people of the 
South Side, and the '"L " road will bring the people from the north, 
east and west parts of the city within one block of the site selected. 
The committee feel that the city as a whole will take special pride in 
the new building and make it a great success. They have shown 
their belief by letting the contract for the excavating, which is almost 
completed, and are now making arrangement for the foundation. Mr. 
G. W. Loomis has been selected as the architect, and is now at work 
on the plans for the new liuilding. The committee feel proud of 
securing the services of Mr. Loomis. as he has lately made a special 
study of the Y. M. C. A. buildings located in all the large cities 
V)etween Kansas City and the Pacific coast, and he is full of new ideas 
which he will apply to the new building, thus making it the most com- 
plete in the West. There are three branches of the association here 
— the lliverview, room 10 Simpson's Block; that at 500 Minnesota 
Avenue, and that at 503 Kansas Avenue. The general secretary 
describes the field of labor thus: " The thousands of young men of our 
city; the mercantile young men of our offices and stores; the young 
men of our homes; the young men in our large packing houses at 
Armourdale and old Kansas City; the railroad men at Armstrong; the 
German and Swedish young men; the colored young men." 

The growth of the city for the past few years is not to be com- 
pared with that of boom towns which rise, flourish and collap.se in a 
single year. People have kept coming in all the time to engage in 
profitable business or to obtain employment at respectable wages. The 
increase in population, according to official statements published by 
the department of State, has been rapid and steady. The value of 
real estate changing hands has been constantly increasing, until in 
ISSy it was only a few thousand below if 10, 000,000, and this without 
any sign of wild -cat speculation. There has never been anything to 
equal the building here. Magnificent churches and school buildings, 
imposing business blocks, and handsome residences have sprung up 
on every hand. Over 3,000 buildings, costing in round numbers 
$4,250,000, were erected in 1889. An army of men have been em- 
))loyed in grading and paving the streets, constructing sidewalks, 

? 6 ^ -1 3) \ 



sewers, bridges, culverts and viaducts for the public good. Improve- 
ments have been made in the street railway lines that insure first-class 
facilities for rapid transit. The railway companies whose lines enter 
the city have made extensive improvements in their terminals, and 
there are now a dozen schemes on foot that will involve an expendi- 
ture of millions of dollars in the city. In all lines of business there 
has been the greatest activity. Many new firms came in during the 
past year to share in the trade, and several magnificent stores were es- 
tablished. The banks, also, have had a successful career, and local 
bankers have experienced little difficulty in securing funds for Kansas 
City, Kas., patrons at reasonably good rates. The progress since con- 
solidation has been remarkable, but the signs betoken even greater 
achievements for the future. Capitalists and business men have 
learned of the city's natural advantages and of the fact that there is 
no better field for safe investments. 

Kansas City, Kas.-, contains the bulk of those manufacturing 
interests which are the back bone of the two cities — the packing interests. 
The packing interests not only were the origin of Chicago's growth, 
but made her the queen of the West; so have the same interests made 
Kansas City her rival, and these packing-houses are located on the 
Kansas side of the line. What drew the packing men here was the 
Kansas and Missouri Rivers, into whose immense bosoms they could 
unload their offal with impunity, although to day this is not such a 
necessary consideration, as all the offal is now worked up into some 
marketable commodity. Kansas City, Kas., to-day is growing faster, 
not only than Kansas City, Mo., but than any other city in the West. 
It is about the only one of them all that was not disappointed by the 
census of 18'J0. When the great "boom," which was headed by the 
enterprise and energy of Kansas City, Mo., visiting this whole Western 
country, had subsided, Kansas City, Kas., did not pause in her onward 
march, partly because the packing- houses, dependent for their supply 
on the whole country west to the Rockies and south into Mexico, and 
drawing their custom from the world, continued to increase their busi- 
ness, every year cheapening the manipulation and bettering the quality 
of their products. The world has been calling recently for cheaper 
beef and better pork; Kansas City has nerved herself to supply these 
wants, and to-day disputes with Chicago her supremacy as the cattle 
and hog center of the United States. This is the principal reason for 
the continued growth of Kansas City, Kas. Another reason has been 
the city's wonderful real estate trade. 



jje 



408 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



As a manufacturing center, Kansas City leads all other cities in 
Kansas. The combined manufacturing capital of Topeka, Wichita, 
Leavenworth, Atchison and Fort vScott is not as large as that of Kan- 
sas City, if the reports of the State Bureau of Statistics are to be re- 
lied upon. Not only this, but of all the manufacturing in the State, 
more than one-third is done in Kansas City. This is, perhaps, sur- 
prising, but it is true. Under the forthcoming reports of Hon. Frank 
Betton, the State statistician, which is now in the hands of the printer, 
the figures representing the business of forty two of the leading estab- 
lishments in this city are given as follows: 

Capital employed $13,118,000 

Value of year's product 36,300.000 

Cosi of raw material 32,388,000 

Amount paid for labor 3.554,000 

Average number of employes 4,936 

These forty-two manufactories do not include the immense shops of 
the several railway lines having terminals in this city, which give em- 
ployment to 3,500 men, whose annual wages amount to about $2,000,- 
000. Wonderful developments in the manufacturing industry were 
made during 1889 by the expenditure of almost 11,000,000 in the erec- 
tion of new establishments and in increasing the capacity of the older 
ones. The great Turner Smelter, west of the city, will employ from 
400 to 500 men when under operation, and the annual product will 
amount to almost $2,000,000. The immense additions made by Swift 
& Co. to their dressed beef plant, the operation of a for some time 
idle plant by the Kansas City Packing Company, and the improvements 
made by other packers, will also increase the product and give employ- 
ment to several hundred more men. The Turner Furniture Factory 
has also been started, with twenty-five men employed. The Kansas 
City Glue Works and the Kansas City Desiccating Works have also 
been rebuilt, while other smaller manufactories have been started the 
past year that will add materially to the volume of manufactured 
products sent out from this city. The various industries and the num- 
ber of each in the county are herewith given with considerable accuracy : 
Cement works, 2; corrugated iron, 1; radiator works, 1; silver smelter, 
1; terra cotta works, 1; brick clay, -t; basket and box factories, 3; 
broom factories, 3; clothing factory, 1; cooperage, 2; desiccating works, 
3; foundries and machine shops, 6; gas works, 1; harness factory, 1; 
haystackers, l;oil, 1; packinghouses, 8; planing mills, 3; soap fac- 
tories, 3; soda water factory, 1; stock-yards, 1; vinegar works, 2; 



^= 



^ 



wagon shop, 1; wooJenware company, 1; iron bridge works, 2; wire 
works, 1 ; flour mills, 2. 

As Kansas City has come to rival Chicago as a cattle market, so is 
she ambitious to vie with her in handling grain. The Rock Island 
Railway has been the first to take advantage of the opportunity 
afforded by the bottom lands for the erection of elevators, and the past 
winter completed, at the intersection of Packard Avenue and its tracks, 
one of the largest elevators in the State, 40x100 feet, with a net ca- 
pacity of 125.000 bushels, at a cost of 160,000. It will not be used 
for storage purposes, but simply for transfer business. The location 
IS excellent for convenient transferring, and the connections with 
other roads from the interior of Kansas and switching facilities are 
good. 

One of the wealthiest men of Kansas City, Mo., has under contem- 
plation the erection of an elevator, to cost 1300,000, on a piece of 
property he owns between the Keystone Iron Works and the yards of 
the Missouri Pacific Railway. The building will be stupendous in 
size, and will be fitted with the most improved machinery of the age. 
The old screen process for loading and unloading cars will be done 
away with, and the "suction " process adopted. It will be ready it 
is hoped, for 1890 crops. Early in the summer of 1890 a local paper 
published the following: " The superstructure for the immense grain 
elevator on Carr Avenue was commenced yesterday. Fifty men were 
placed at work on the building. The foundation, which has been com- 
pleted, is 200x100 feet, and seventy-five carloads of stone were used 
m Its constriiction. The building will be a mammoth structure— 165 
feet high above the foundation. It will take 400,000 bricks to build 
the smoke-stack. There will be 136 grain bins in the elevator. 
Twenty-five carloads of lumber were received yesterday, but it will take 
300 carloads more to complete the great building. " As soon as one 
story is completed, the machinery for that part of the building will at 
once be placed in position, so as to avoid the delay usually suffered in 
getting the machinery in position. It is promised, and most confi- 
dently expected, that the elevator will be in operation August 15. An 
army of men will be employed in the construction of the building." 

About the same time a Kansas City, Mo , paper thus referred to a 
probable addition to Kansas City's milling facilities: 

"Negotiations are pending for the erection of a mammoth flour- 
ing-mill in the Sixth Ward, between the Union Pacific and Rock Is 
land yards. It is stated that the same parties that are interested in 




the big elevator on Carr Avenue belong to this compaay. The con- 
tract will probably be awarded next week, and the mill will be ready 
for operation by January 1." 

Another reference was the following: 

"The announcement in the Times yesterday morning that a large 
flouring-mill would be located on the south side right away was the 
talk of the town yesterday. It was stated more authoritatively yester- 
day that Pillsbury, the flour king of the nation, would locate a 
flouring mill in the city within four months, with a capacity of 1,000 
barrels per day. The location will be within a stone's throw of the 
immense elevator being erected by Pillsbury and other.s, near the Swift 
packinghouse. Since the English capitalists bought out Pillsbury at 
Minneapolis, he has had his eye upon Kansas City. Pillsbury realized 
that Kansas City, with a tributary wheat country, unexcelled in the 
world, well drained by a network of railroads, was the point for the 
building up of vast flouring interests. 

"The erection of the 1,500,000-bushel grain elevator was the first 
step in his plan to make this the milling point of the West, and the 
next will be the erection of the flour jilant. From a reliable source it 
is learned that the mill will cost between $300,000 and 1400,000." 

Another paper said: "There are good prospects, as the result of 
recent agitation, of Kansas City soon becoming a milling center of 
prominence. She is at the gateway of a great wheat-producing region, 
and the establishment of large flouring-mills here is looked upon as a 
business venture sure and safe. One thing which has held back de- 
velopment in this line has been the absence of equitable freight rates, 
something which promises soon to be remedied." 

Time only will reveal the history of these and other projects to 
enchance Kansas City's wealth and importance; but that all now 
talked of, or others, in some respects better, will in due time be car- 
ried forward, can not be doubted. Such enterprises are the marks of 
the giant strides of the city during the wonderful era succeeding the 
municipal consolidation. The sun never shone on a day more auspi- 
cious than that of the consolidation, which foretold the accomplishments 
of glorious progress and indomitable effort, manifest in the develop- 
ment of Kansas City, Kas. , during the past few years. All conditions 
have been met and dealt with in a manner betokening courage, enter- 
prise and wisdom. The citizens have counseled together for a general 
good; an organized movement has taken the place of single efforts; 
a sphere of usefulness has shown itself to every man, woman and child 



^■. 



'F 



^1^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 411 



in tbe city, and all this for a cause of vast proportions, that of build- 
ing up a great city. 

The march of improvement has been rapid and uninterrupted. It 
was accelerated during those years leading up to the pinnacle of the 
glories of the boom, which began to go the way of all earth in 1887; 
it did not falter afterward, and now is being persevered in with such 
success as to astonish all beholders. It is sweeping everything before 
it. Kansas City is in all things head and shoulders above any other 
city in tbe State; in some things she forges ahead of almost any other 
city anywhere. Capital, in seeking its proper and legitimate channels, 
has begged for admission here at low rates and has not been denied. 
The flood gates are open, and at every hand the carvings of skilled 
labor can be seen and identified as the enterprise and pluck of some 
righteous citizen. The tradesmen of the city all speak of the past few 
years in words of praise, as times have been good and their trade in- 
creased by new population. Fewer failures are to be recorded against 
Kansas City, according to population and capital employed, than any 
city in the West. The manufacturing enterprises of the city are well 
located, and prosperity has been the portion of every one of them from 
their incipiency to the present. One peculiar fact of all such estab- 
lishments located in the metropolis of Kansas, is that, no matter on 
how small a scale they have started, there is not one of them but has 
been enlarged to meet greater demands. Kansas City, since the con- 
solidation, has bad no rival in tbe way of building, and tbe result each 
year shows an enormous increase over any former year in the history of 
the city. Homes free from the environment of intemperance is tbe 
inspiration of the Kansas City, Mo., man who builds his domicile here, 
and quick transportation between tbe two cities facilitates this manner 
of living to tbe fullest extent. A home in Kansas City, Kas., means 
also to the Kansas City, Mo. , man, lower taxes, with equally as tine lo- 
cation, as good neighbors, as good schools, as well appoiuted churches 
as are to be found on the other side of the State line. 

The twentieth volume of tbe Hoye, Kansas City, Kas., Directory, 
contains a good deal of information concerning this city, of which tbe 
following are excerpts: 

" Tbe situation of Kansas City, Kas , marks it pre-eminently as a 
manufacturing center, and tbe railroads are quick to see this and, whilst 
serving their own interests, are helping to foster this branch of com- 
merce. Among tbe various industries located here are cement works, 
corrugated iron works, terra cotta works, basket and box factories, 

\p 6 r- -^ e|\' 



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412 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



broom factories, clothing factory, cooperage, desiccating works, found- 
ries and machine shops, harness factory, hay stackers, planing-mills, 
soap factories, soda water and vinegar works, wagon shop, wire works, 
flour-mills, woodenware and iron bridge works. The amount of money 
invested in manufacturing plants is estimated at $14,000,000, the value 
of products $36,000,000, and the amount of pay roll for employes, 
$2,500,000. 

" The number of new buildings erected during 1889 reached 3,000, 
at a cost of $5,000,000, and the prospects for a considerable increase 
in these figures are encouraging. Public improvements have kept 
pace with the times, and the municipal authorities seem fully alive to 
the importance of the situation, as is evidenced by the grading of six 
and one-half miles of street during 1889 at a cost of $100,000, and the 
paving of seven miles with cedar blocks, brick and asphaltum, and the 
curbing of seven miles, all this, of course, exclusive of the same class 
of work done by private individuals. The city now has twenty-three 
miles of paved streets, is lighted by electricity, has the Holly system 
of water works with a capacity of 60,000,000 gallons per day, and her 
track mileage in street railways consists of fifteen miles of double track 
and twenty miles of single." 

Of the packing-houses it says: "The record of this industry is 
unparalleled in the history of commerce, and it is no wonder that the 
figures and statistics relating thereto furnish relishing food for the 
perusal of all those profiting by the trade. During the year just 
passed there were packed 499,383 cattle against 360,252 for the pre- 
vious year, an increase due to the fast increasing business done in the 
shipments of dressed beef, to which reference will be made later. 
Nearly 500,000 hogs more were killed in 1889 than in 1888, the total 
reaching the figures 1,715,000, and 200.000 sheep were dispo.sed of in 
the same time. The export of dressed beef was 74,000,000 pounds in 
excess of that of 1888, and was represented by 215,444,000 pounds, 
ficrures which fairly gleam with satisfaction and can not be excelled by 
any other city in the country. As a manufactured article for shipment, 
oleomargarine exhibits a phenomenal increase, as the figures for three 
years will show as follows: 1887, 3,000,000 pounds; 1888, 6,000,000 
pounds; 1889, 10,000,000 pounds, and the indications are that the 
output this year will show a further increase of 100 per cent." 

" In speaking of the manufacturing interests, the huge smelting 
works demand a prominent position, for. although situated just out- 
side the city limits, they belong to Wyandotte County, and are closely 

e) ' ^ ^ 



^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 413 



connected to the city by many ties. They are the largest works of 
the kind in the world, and Kansas City is justly proud of the promi- 
nence they have attained. Over eighteen acres of ground are used for 
the concern, and 500 men are employed the year roiind. The com- 
pany does a yearly business of $18,000,000, and one-fifth of the en- 
tire silver and lead product of the United States is smelted and 
handled by this plant, requiring for that purpose about forty-live cars 
a day. Another company, the National Smelting & Refining Com- 
pany, has just been organized, and the works are now being erected 
within a space of thirty acres of ground, of which the buildings will 
occupy about two acres. This new enterprise will furnish employ- 
ment for about 300 men at the start. 

" In order to care for the large and rapidly increasing receipts of 
grain, it has been found necessary to erect some immense elevators. 
The Rook Island Railroad has just finished one with a capacity of 
125,000 bushels, and a new one is now in the course of erection by 
some Minnesota parties, which will be capable of holding 1,500,000 
bushels, and will be one of the largest in the country. Not to be in 
the rear ranks of this march to supremacy, the Santa Fe road is mak- 
ing arrangements to build one that will equal the capacity of the Min- 
neapolis, so that there will be no danger of any of the grain being 
diverted for the lack of accommodation. The board of trade is cer- 
tainly entitled to a great deal of credit for the efforts put forth by it 
to create a grain market in Kansas City, Kas., and in pursuance of 
this aim a grain inspector has been appointed, with full powers from 
the State, the expense being borne by the board. There is no reason 
in the world why this city should not control the extensive shipments 
of grain which is raised around it — it passes through here, and no 
stone should be left unturned in the aim to keep it here and compel 
the sale to be made where it properly belongs. In a few years this 
will undoubtedly be done, and the supremacy for the largest grain 
market west of Chicago will be hotly contested, and remain with the 
metropolis of one of the greatest grain-producing States of the 
Union." 

A huge power company is on the verge of organization in this city, 
with a capital stock of $1,000,000. The name of the new institution 
is the Interstate Water & Electric Power Company, of Kansas City, 
Kas., and the plant is to be established near Muncie. The new cor- 
poration is backed by leading capitalists, who propose to dam the Kaw 
River on the east line of Section 21, Township 11, Range 23, and 



•V 



*• 



^y^ — ^ -^ — ^ K 

414 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



fiirnish power to manufactories, and an immense electric light plant. 
Already 203 acres of land have been purchased at a large cost, 173 
acres lying on the north side of the river and thirty acres on the south 
side. The directors of the company are John B. Colton, Nicholas 
McAlpine, David N. Carlisle, Robert L. McAlpine and John S. Johns. 
These gentlemen have taken the scheme in hand after most thorough 
investigation. The engineers have tested the practicability of the 
whole matter, and find that the river can be made to furnish a terrific 
power at this point that will run any amount of machinery. The 
main object of the company is to put in a plant to supply this electric 
lighting of the two cities and adjacent towns. The price of the light 
can be so materially reduced, it is claimed, that fuel fed concerns will 
have to go out of the business. This same scheme has beeu talked of 
for years, but no company with an authorized capital has yet been or- 
ganized. The members of the company feel that they have hit upon a 
plan to make a big manufacturing place at the point where they have 
decided upon to dam the river and will enter into the scheme upon a 
large scale. 

The people of Kansas City have reason to feel satisfied with the 
showing made for their city by the census of 1890. In 1880 the 
territory now occupied by Kansas City included several small towns, 
and as a consecjuence the consolidated cities did not make an aggre- 
gate showing in the census. It is likeh' that the territory in question 
contained a population in 1880 not far in excess of 10,000. 

The census man unofficially places the population of Kansas City, 
Kas. , at 40,000, and the official figures will probably substantially eon- 
firm his estimate. This means that Kansas City, Kas., has gained 
30,000 persons in ten years. This is a remarkable record for a city 
that ten years ago hardly thought of contesting for first place in the 
great State of Kansas. Kansas City is now in substantially the same 
situation as was Kansas City, Mo., in 1S80. Her population is prob- 
ably not 80 large as was that of Kansas City, Mo., but in the 
matters of public enterprise and public improvement she is easily 
in better shape than was Kansas City, Mo., in 1880. In 1880 the 
latter city was deficient in street transportation to a woful degree. 
Not a foot of cable road was then in existence in this city, and the 
construction of an inclined plane on Ninth Street down to the railroad 
station was considered a big undertaking. Progress since that time 
has been marvelous, but in comjiarison the record for Kansas City, 
Kas., has been hardly less remarkable. 



Al. 



4.. 



^. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



il5 



To-day Kansas City, Kas., is in a better situation for rapid growth 
than was the city on the east side of the Kaw in 1880. No city can 
develop rapidly and comfortably without adequate street transporta- 
tion facilities. With the construction of cable lines,Ivansas City, Mo., 
entered upon her real growth. Poor streets and slow street cars will 
hold back the progress of the most promising city. The people of 
New York City realize that rapid transit is an absolute necessity for 
their great metropolis. Kansas City, Kas., is already enjoying the 
advantages of modern street transit systems. She has only to add to 
her present facilities to keep pace with the demands of her expanding 
limits. 

In the direction of street paving and improvements, Kansas City, 
Kas.. holds an advantageous position. Her people have been exceed- 
ingly liberal ia the matter of public improvements, and they have not 
been over-contident. Eesults have justified their liberality, and the 
future is exceedingly promising. With the advantages indicated and 
the tendency of large manufacturing enterprises at this point to locate 
west of the Kaw, it seems certain that Kansas City can look forward 
to the census of 1900 with favorable anticipation. The next ten years 
will be years of wonderful activity and prosperity. The population 
to- day is a working population, actively engaged in enterprises which 
are building up a great city. Three thousand buildings were erected 
during the year 1889 to keep pace with this growth, at a cost of $5,- 
000.000. The amount of money now invested in manufacturing 
plants is $14,000,000, the value of their products is 136,000,000, 
and their pay-roll amounts to $2,500,000. The people of Kansas 
City pay taxes on property the assessed valuation of which is $8,- 
425,629. This is about twenty-five per cent of the real valuation. 
The tax rolls for 1889 show the assessed valuation of property, as 
compared with 1888, as follows: 

1889. 1888. 

Lands §2.187,290 $3,166.21.^ 

Lq,5 .5,123,346 4,891,30.5 

Railroad propeny 274.682 234.989 

Personal property 839,911 730,87 8 

Total valuation 38,425,629 58,023,387 

The assessed valuation of all taxable property in Wyandotte 
Couaty is $11,322,461, and almost eight tenths of this is in the cities 
of Kansas City, Kas., Rosedale and Argentine, as will be seen by the 
following: 



f 



J^l 




Kansas City, Kas 18,435.629 

Argentine 344,145 

Rosedale 197,623 

Total $8,967,397 

In population, the census of 1890 will show a total for Kansas 
City of from 40.000 to 45,000. According to the last enumeration, 
which was in March, the city had a population of 36,279. This is 
3,169 more than for the previous year, showing an increase of about 
ten per cent. If the same rate of increase applies to the year ending 
March 1, 1890, then the city will have a population of 40,000. The 
enumerations made by the assessors each year are not considered 
thorough, but enough is shown to indicate what has been done. The 
population for the last four years as reported by assessors is as fol- 
lows: 1886, 21,299; 1887, 25,066; 1888, 33,110; 1889, 36,279. It 
is quite fair to assume that if the cities of Argentine and Rosedale, 
which both adjoin the city on the south, whose interests are in com- 
mon with those of Kansas City, were annexed, the city at the mouth of 
the Kaw, on the Kansas side of the line, would have a population of 
50,000. The question of annexation has been one of the grave sub- 
jects under discussion, but thus far has not assumed tangible form. 
But great as has been the progress of Kansas City during the past 
few years, it is growing now faster than ever before. It is one of the 
phenomenal cities of the West, and, with its Missouri namesake, 
forms the metropolis of the Southwest, the most important business 
center west of Chicago. There are many thoughtless people who 
would be surprised, and a few thoughtful ones who would not, could 
they now behold the figures representing the population of Kansas 
City in 1900, 

While proud of forming a part of the metropolis of Kansas, 
Armourdale is and was so much of herself, and has so much individu- 
ality and so many distinctive features, that some special mention of her 
will be welcome here. The words "onward" and "progress" 
attach themselves to Armourdale in their every conceivable definition, 
and she is steadily marching onward from the Kansas Avenue bridge 
to the county bridge, and spreading both north and south to cover 
wide acres of land with immense manufactures, packing-houses, eleva- 
tors, railway shops, foundries, tine stores and public and private 
buildings. Not only are these mammoth improvements noticed by all 
who visit the city, but their perfectly metropolitan system, the miles 
of evenly blocked streets, elegantly equipped electric street cars, per- 



^. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



417 



feet sewerage, tine sidewalks, electric lights, fire department, police 
force, telephone communication, churches, public schools, halls, banks, 
etc., impress the stranger at once. The building improvements of the 
pa.st year have been far larger than any ^jrevious one, amounting in all 
to $504,500; and the city improvements for the year amount to 
$102,000, making a grand total of $606,000. One of the greatest 
conveniences that Armourdale has is the electric street ear system. A 
few minutes takes one to West Kansas, Mo., and the stock-yards, 
while from ten to fifteen minutes places one in the business por- 
tion of Kansas City, Mo. It is believed that before the close of 
1890 direct communication by dummy, cable or electricity will be had 
between here and the west end of Argentine, and with the Wyandotte 
County court-house and vicinity; also to Rosedale, Westport and 
Kansas City, Mo., by cable, over the Eighth Street bridge. Within 
the last few years the population has increased wonderfully. In 1888 
the population here was 5,9-12; in the sirring of 1889 it increased to 
7,102, and at present it is about 10,000. which, of course, includes the 
new territory. The number of men now finding employment here is 
about 6,000; while the value of real estate has so increased that it is 
estimated at lowest figures to be from $25,000,000 to $30,000,000. 
What has caused this immense increase is the steady demand by man- 
ufacturers for property here, it being so finely situated, both as regards 
river frontage and switching facilities. 

The mayor's message, under date of April 22, 1890. contains so 
much of interest in connection with the present status of Kansas City 
and the wonderful advancement of all her interests that it is appended : 

" To the Honorable Members of the Council of the city of Kansas 
City, Kas. 

Gestleme.n: When I assumed the duties of my office, one year 
since. I briefly called the council's attention to some changes that 
would facilitate the transaction of the city's business. Much has 
been done, but many matters remain to be completed, and I now wish 
to emphasize what, in my opinion, is a wise course and policy for the 
present council to pursire. 

"In the past year we expended for public improvements as follows: 



^^ 



^I^ 



418 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Grading streets f 105, 687 41 

Curbing and paving streets 269.905 78 

Constructing sewers in districts 84.733 06 

Constructing public sewers 86.736 5-1 

Constructing and repairing bridges 48.746 67 

Opening and widening streets 27.075 00 

JIarlvet house 2,700 00 

Total 1627,447 47 

" lu the expenditure of this large stim of money the council has 
been especially careful, economical and prudent. The improvements 
made are all of a permanent nature, and add to our material welfare 
and wealth. The low prices of labor and material favored the city to 
some extent, but I think that the prompt dispatch of the public busi- 
ness and the certainty of payment for work done had much to do 
with the low prices secured. The strict compliance with its contracts, 
and the faithful carrying out of its agreements on the part of the city, 
commends itself to bidders, and is equal to a guarantee that their small 
margins will not be eaten up by unnecessary delays. From the en- 
gineer's report, I learn that our grading was done for thirty per cent 
less, our paving for twenty six per cent less, our curbing for forty per 
cent less and our sewers constructed for twenty-live per cent less, than 
in the year previous. Calciilating on this basis, the §600,000 expended 
in the past year accomplished more than 1800,000 would have done at 
former prices paid by the city. 

" Internal improvement bonds were issued for most of the work done. 
Prior to my term of office $1,051,000 in bonds had been issued by the 
consolidated city, .SOOljOOO of which bore interest at the rate of seven 
per cent per annum. From the sale of these bonds the city realized 
only $2,481.25 in premiums paid. During my term of office there have 
been issued bonds of the city to the amount of $610,208.8-1 bearing 
only six per cent interest per annum, on which I secured to the city 
premiums to the amount of $6,442.91. This was a saving to the city 
for the first year of one per cent interest amounting to $6,102.08, and 
the difPerenee in premiums on a smaller sum of bonds sold of 13,- 
961.66. Total for the first year, $10,063.7-1:; and a saving annually 
of one per cent on the bonds outstanding, amounting to more than 
$25,000 additional. This of itself to me seems a splendid showing, 
and should commend the administration to the tax- payers of the city. 
'•Besides this, the council wisely resolved to deposit the public 
funds in various banks of our city, at such rates as might be agreed 

» - - '3 ^ 

^ 6 r~ -^ efV 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 419 



upon. From this source alone the city derived a revenue during the 
past year of $3,545.04. This is a clear gain to the city, as heretofore 
not a dollar was received by the city from this source. This interest 
is oppressive to no one, as it comes from those who have profited by 
the use of the city's money. 

" The construction of sub-sewers seems to me to be one of the first 
coQsiderations for the council. This city has gone to great expense 
in constructing sewers, having expended already more than $200,000, 
$86,000 of which is a charge upon the city at large. Every oppor- 
tunity should be given the citizens and tax -payers to make use of the 
sewers built with this money, and I would therefore urge that, in the 
matter of public improvements, the first consideration be given to sub- 
sewers. Furthermore, I think it would be wise to employ competent 
mechanics under the direction of the street commissioner's depart- 
ment, to see that these sewers are kept open and in proper rej)air. 

" Next in order I place the curbing and paving of streets. In this 
matter, my idea is to make haste slowly. We have so many streets 
alreadj' paved that we can well take our time. Thoroughfares should 
receive our first attention, after which we should improve connecting 
streets, and lastly those not connected with our paved system. The 
council has already ordered a large amount of paving and curbing to 
be done this year. We have now under contract the followiQg thor- 
oughfares: Central Avenue, which when completed will make a con- 
tinuous paved street from east to west through the center of our city; 
Seventh Street when completed will make a continuous paved street 
through the center of our city from north to south; Fourth Street 
from Minnesota Avenue to Ferry Street, Reynolds Avenue from Fifth 
Street to point west of Grandview. Northriip Avenue from Fifth Street 
to Seventh Street, Troup Avenue from Fifth Street to Sixth Street, Min- 
nesota Avenue from Eighth Street to Eighteenth Street, part of which 
work the council will no doubt order to be delayed till 1891. What 
with paving these streets and paving the connecting blocks that will 
be ordered from time to time, the council will make a sufficient show- 
ing in the paving line. As to what pavement is most desirable, I think 
the kind asked for by the resident property owners should be given 
the preference. Our lowest macadam contract let so far was on Sev- 
enth Street from Parallel Avenue to Quindaro Boulevard at 96.j cents 
per square yard. Our lowest cedar block was on Osage Avenue from 
Adams Street to First Street at $1.32^^,3 per square yard. Our lowest 
brick on concrete on Tauromee Avenue from Sixth Street to Seventh 



i fy 



-^ 




K^ 



street at 11.93 per square yard. Asphalt (one price) at $2.80 per 
square yard on new concrete and on macadam at 12. 30. 

"In my opinion the grading of streets is the least urgent of our 
public improvements. It were better that all were reduced or raised 
to the proper grade. Most any citizen with a little energy could se- 
cure a petition of the kind that have been presented and passed 
through our council, to grade any ungraded street or alley in our city. 
If the councilmen deem it a duty devolving upon them to grant such 
petitions, and no questions asked or without reference to any committee 
to inquire into the immediate necessity for such grading, or the public 
benefit to be derived therefrom, then the business of the council is at 
the mercy of any citizen who is willing to go after signatures. My 
opinion is that work of this kind should be considered in the light of 
all other improvements, and that before granting a petition, the same 
should be referred to the committee on streets and grades, and be 
given the same consideration that is given other matters referred. That 
committee did excellent work in the past year, and can do good work 
in properly assorting petitions for the grading of streets and recom- 
mending only such as are most necessary. Whether ' according to 
the petition' or 'by the block' is still an open question, and until 
our Sujjreme Court speaks, our system of apportioning the cost should 
remain as it stands. I wish to state further that I shall not give my 
consent, knowingly, to the grading of any street, where the value of 
the abutting property is not sufficient to pay the cost of such grading. 

" With the completion of the Seventh Street viaduct, the various 
portions of our consolidated city will be permanently connected. 
This will be some time in June of this year. With the comple- 
tion of the Eighth Street bridge across the Kansas Kiver, that por- 
tion of our city lying south of the river and added by extension will 
be connected. This work is being done by the county, but the south 
approach will be built by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Eail- 
way, under contract to be made with the city. The repair of the 
Central Avenue (formerly Riverview) bridge is a much needed improve- 
ment, and the contract for the same has already been let. It devolves 
upon the council to see that the work is properly done. The Missouri 
Pacific viaduct is another work that has already been ordered and con- 
tracted for, and the same will be begun at once. I think that the 
council should take immediate steps to arrange for the construction of 
the approaches. Heretofore there has been some difference of opin- 
ion as to the course to pursue in the matter, but the former coun- 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 421 



cil having ordered the change of grade for the viaduct, and entered 
into contract for its eonstrnction across the Missouri Pacitic lands, 
there remains to this council the necessity of providing the approaches 
in order to utilize the same. Our contract with the company calls for 
a vacation of the street through its lands as soon as the viaduct is 
completed. I have never swerved from my original opinion, that the 
construction of this viaduct is a great benefit, and will largely tend to 
the development of the central portion of our city. While there can be 
and were honest differences of opinion as to who should bear the ex- 
pense of this work, I think we can all agree upon the necessity of a 
viaduct at this point. To me it seems that the cost is not unfairly 
apportioned, considering what we are getting by the transaction and 
hope to profit in the future through the improvements to be made by 
the company. Seven suits against the city are di-opped by this action 
of the council. 

'■ The street department has cost the city fully $10,000 less than in 
the fonner years, and though we had unprecedented rains in the early 
part of last year, and many newly graded streets to put in repair, the 
showing is excellent for this department. 

■' The efficiency of the fire department has shown itself in many 
instances. The pay roll is the same as in former years, but the mis- 
cellaneous expenditures have been materially reduced. In this con- 
nection I wish to urge upon the council the necessity of establishing a 
public tire-alarm system as soon as our resources will permit. The 
private alarms are doing excellent service, and must serve our needs 
till a public system can be established. In addition, I wish to impress 
npon the council the necessity of making proper arrangements for the 
iise of the market house. With a small beginning in the way of ten- 
ants it can soon be made to serve the purposes for which it was in- 
tended. A fire-proof vault should be constructed in the city hall. 
The cost and value of our public records require this to be done at 
once. Three public scales should be established and located in 
three parts of our city. This is a public need, besides being a source 
of some revenue. I think it advisable that the jail at the James 
Street Station be removed from the basement and placed on the second 
floor of that building. The reasons for this change are many and ap- 
parent to any one inspecting that building. The time has come when 
something should be done toward improving the two parks of our city. 
Shawnee Park is already presenting a neat apjiearance, but Huron 
Place is still the street commissioners' dumping ground. The city 



te ^ 
^ 



422 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



should take steps to secure the school building on this site, and turn 
the same into a public library. 

"A year ago I suggested the advisability of having our ordinances 
compiled and printed in book form. That work would have been ac- 
complished long since, had not the city kept up an incessant grind. 
From the 10th day of April, 1889, to the 4th day of April, 1890, 558 
ordinances were passed and approved. The city attorney tells me he 
has the compilation nearly completed, and before long the council will 
be called upon to provide for this most needed publication. 

"I desire especially to extend my sincere thanks to Benjamin 
Schnierle, city clerk, for the efficient manner in which his office has 
been conducted, having at all times a knowledge of the details of his 
office at his command, and the records in a good condition. The work 
of his office has been greater than in any former year, and was done 
at a minimum cost. I feel that in him the mayor and council have had 
a valuable assistant. 

' ' The city has done well and been extremely liberal in the ordering 
of public improvements. Every j^art of our city has received the 
benefit of some improvement in the shape of grading, curbing and 
paving streets, and the construction of sewers, and it would be wise 
and proper at this time to put on the brakes and slacken our speed. 
We should confine our public improvements so that the total cost of 
the same should come within a certain amount. Let the council fix by 
resolution some limit to the amount of bonds to be issued during the 
ensuing year. You have outstanding more than a million and a half 
of internal improvement bonds. Less than half the amount of pub- 
lic improvements made in the past year will more than suffice to keep 
laborers employed, and will meet all the immediate requirements of 
the public. This is a matter worthy of your careful consideration, and 
upon this point of curtailing the amount to be expended in public im- 
provements I wish to be especially plain and emphatic. I trust that 
our official intercourse in the future may be as pleasant as in the past, 
and that we shall give our city a fearless, honest, earnest and progres- 
sive administration." 



*^S^* 



^« 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



423 



CHAPTER XXI, 



City Institutions of the Consolidated Cities— Othei: Institu- 
tions OF Public Benefit— Police Department— The Fire De- 
partment—The Board of Trade— The Post-office— Electric 
Lighting — The Fremont Street and Reynolds Avenue Market 
House— St. Margaret's Hospital— The Kansas Institution for 
THE Education of the Blind — Headquarters of the Kansas 
Farmers' Alliance— Hotels, Past and Present— Secret and Be- 
nevolent Orders. 



Thus from the time we first begin to know. 

We live and learn, but not the wiser grow. — Pomfret. 




//iINCE the consolidaHon, the police department 
has been headed as follows: City marshal, John 
Sheehan, April, 1886, to April, 1887; chief of 
police, O. K. Serviss, April, 1887, to April, 1889. 
The beginning of 1 889 found the police depart- 
ment of the city under the well directed manage- 
ment of Chief O. K. Serviss, who retired from 
tnis responsible position on April 9, after two years of 
faithfiil service to the city, and was superseded by S. 
S. Peterson, who has skillfully maintained the peace 
and dignity of the city. The police department of the 
city is self-supporting, owing to the efliciency and in- 
telligence with which each department is managed. 
Few improvements are needed to make Kansas City the 
best protected city in the West. At present the mount- 
ed police force is rather small, but the department has 
under consideration a material enlargement of this 
branch of the department during the ensuing year. The table of tines 
imposed and collected during the past year will be looked at with in 
terest, they showing the volume of business transacted: 



^ 



^1 



424 



HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 






Fines im- Fines col- 
posed, lected. 



January . . 
February... 
March .... 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August. . . . 
September 
October. . . 
November . 
December. , 



208 !S 

126 

148 

169 

276 

255 ' 

267 I 

343 I 

238 

US 

189 

204 



2,321 00 f 
1,662 00 

2.167 00 

2.168 00 
3.346 00 
4,281 00 
4,751 50! 
3,659 50: 
2,640 50i 
3,981 50 
4,113 00 
4,000 00 



1,231 50 

965 00 

1,334 50 

1,389 00 

2,370 50 

3,583 50 

4,015 00 

2,. 506 00 

1,778 50 

3,295 50 

3.395 00 

3,000 00 

Total 2,691 $39,091 00|28,96400 

The board of police commissioners has been ever alert to the needs 
of the department. The executive department is under Judge P. K. 
Leland, who handles the reins of justice so skillfully and with such 
equity as to leave his office standing high and clear above reproach. 
Chief S. S. Peterson, after the retirement of ex-Chief O. K. Serviss, 
was picked upon as the man for the place, owing to his peculiar fit- 
ness for, not onlj' the control of men, but his kno^vledge of how to 
deal with the element coming under his supervision. The several gen- 
tlemen who serve immediately under him are Capt. J. E. Porter, 
Secretary of Department Harry Gilley and Thomas Cahill. chief of the 
city detective bureau. The five sergeants now in charge of the different 
city departments of the police service are men who have worked up 
from the ranks, and know from actual experience how to deal with the 
classes that are brought before them. The following list shows the 
composition of the Metropolitan police force of Kansas City: Board 
of police commissioners — W. X. Simpson, president; J. W. Longfel 
low, secretary; George Bishop. Executive oflicers — P. K. Leland, 
police judge; S. S. Peterson, chief of police; J. E. Porter, captain; 
Harry Gilley, secretary of police department; Thomas Cahill, chief 
of detective bureau; George Jillich, assistant to chief of detective 
bureau. Sergeants — H. J. ScherfF, Thomas E. Tarpley, George North, 
S. J. Meluney. L. B. Roach. Station officers — H. C. Hover, sanitary 
sergeant; C. C. Edmonds, driver; Edward Horley, jailor. Patrol- 
men—Thomas G. Muir, B. F. Tillery, Stephen Pilont, Dan Stanley, 
R. H. Thompson, George Noah, Thomas P. Shelton, Jesse Williams, 
L. Ikerd, Ord Rogers, C. E. Reynolds, C. C. Hedwick, F. M. Schuler. 
J. S. King, O. N. Herrod, J. T. Young, John Kelley, Olat Julian, F. 



^: 



^nr 



'-^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



425 



S. Cogswell, W. J. Butler, S. Browa, E. Harris. Police Station No, 
1 is located oa the corner of Sixth Street and Armstrong Avenue ; No 
2, at the corner of James Street and Lyon .I venue; No. 8, at the cor 
ner of Fifth Street and Kansas Avenue. City jails are located at City 
Hall, at James Street Station, and at the Fire Department Building 
No. 3, Armourdale. 

The chiefs of the lire department since the consolidation have been 
Fire marshal, J. K Paul, April, 188t), to April, 1889; Mr. W. J. Hill, 
chief of fire department, superseded Mr. Paul, June 1, 1889, and now 
has charge of this important adjunct of the city government. The 
fire service of Kansas City is composed of four companies, three hose 
carts and one hook and ladder crew. There are seventeen fire- 
men in regular service and three watch boys, whom, together with 
Chief Hill, compose the corps which has saved many njillions of dol- 
lars worth of property since the date mentioned. From June 1 to 
December 28 the department was called out to seventy-three fires, 
several of which were among the largest in the history of either of the 
Kansas Cities. The books show that within the half year upward of 
31,000 feet of hose was laid, and the number of miles traveled by the 
different fire apparatus to and from tires was 375, only twenty-five 
miles less than the entire length of the State of Kansas. During the 
same period the total losses by fire amounted to 1235,680, upon which 
was insurance to the amount of $1,500,000. When it is remembered 
that the greatest fires of the year were at the packing-houses, and 
that the packing-houses lie in remote districts from the department, it 
is wonderful how the losses could be kept within such nominal bounds. 
Scarcely one of the packing-houses has escaped unscathed by the fiery 
element during the past year, and as the perfection of the department 
has increased the losses have decreased. The young men now in the 
employ of this department deserve especial praise, as not only do they 
earn their pay by honest effort, but they gain proficiency and accuracy 
of detail by drilling themselves at intervals of rest. The list of names 
and the respective positions occupied by the firemen of the city are 
subjoined: Chief, AV. J. Hill; assistant chief, Charles E. Strus; sec- 
retary, William McConnell. Station No. 1, City Hall — James P. 
Ball, foreman hose reel No. 1 ; Henry S. Shiller, driver and assistant 
foreman; Howard McGruder, John Haley, hosemen; Sidney Whisner, 
foreman of hook and ladder wagon; Allan Swanson, driver; Joseph 
Mercier, ladderman; Walter Gille, watch boy. Station No. 2, corner 
old Fifth and James Streets — John Queen, foreman: John Casey, 



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426 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



driver; John Conlin, James Phelan, hosemen; Eichard Morrisey, 
watch boy. Station No. 3, Eighth Street, between Kansas and Shaw- 
nee Avenues— John Connors, foreman; Larkin Norman, driver; John 
E. Kerr, Napoleon Burlingame, hosemen; Charlie King, watch boy. 

Ten horses valued at $3,000 are utilized by the city in this depart- 
ment. The best fire horses are at Station No. 1, and they are as per 
feet as humans in their attention to duties. The total cost of all 
apparatus in use is less than 120,000. A combined hook and ladder 
truck patented by Chief Hill is in use, and has extension ladders and 
sufficient balance to throw a stream of water down into the tallest 
building in the city. The department owns 4,250 feet of hose and 
four hose reels, all of which are kept in first-class order. Kansas 
City has almost the quickest automatic harness holders in the country, 
and some records of runs have been made that challenge the achieve- 
ments of fire departments the world over. The harness and its rack 
all work without electric aid and are purely automatic. This arrange- 
ment is also a patent of Chief Hill's, who seems to have been born to 
make a record in this line. 

The board of trade is an active body of over 600 members, work- 
ing effectively for the city's advancement. It has done much to estab- 
lish Kansas City's claims to possession of the great packing and other 
manufacturing interests which Kansas City, Mo., would like the world 
to believe were hers; to mold the cities of which Kansas City is com- 
posed into one ; to encourage the dropping of old names and the oblit- 
eration of old landmarks; and to secure to the city her just rights. 
By its solicitation, the packers now brand their goods ' ' Kansas City, 
Kas." It has been seen that telegraph, express, telephone companies 
and the post-office recognize the name. It assisted in the scheme of 
properly numbering and naming the streets to secure uniformity. It 
aided in the project of reclaiming the levee on the river front; it has 
been influential in locating great industries here, and in opening up 
Oklahoma Territory it took a prominent part. Probably the most 
prompt and effective work lately done by the board was in the matter 
of securing a favorable ruling from Secretary Windom in the matter 
of tariff rates on importations of silver and lead ores from Mexico into 
the United States. This favorable decision was of great advantage to 
the smelters at Argentine, and the one recently put in operation at the 
new town of Lovelace. An attempt was being made by the Colorado 
mining interests to obtain a ruling which would virtually prevent the 
importation of Mexican ores. This would have been a blow at the 



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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



427 



smelting interests at this point, which, to be successful, must have 
access to the ore markets of Mexico. If the precedent thus established 
is maintained, and it no doubt will be, it will result in this point be- 
cominor the greatest smelting and refining center in the world. Dur- 
ing the past two years the board has cultivated a friendly feeling be- 
tween the business men of the two Kansas Cities that never existed 
before. It has on different occasions been the guests of the Commer- 
cial Club, of Kansas City, Mo., and in turn has entertained the 
gentlemen from the Missouri side. In doing all this, and much more, 
it has given Kansas City a vast amount of advertising, which is result- 
ing beneficially. The present board of trade was organized March 19, 
1884. It was then known as the Union Board of Trade of Wyandotte, 
old Kansas City, Kas. , and Armoardale. It was largely instrumental 
in bringing about a consolidation of the three cities in 188(). Aside 
from this it was not particularly active until 1887, when it began the 
useful career that has been briefly sketched above. The board occupies 
new quarters in the Gazette building, which have been nicely fitted 
up, and make a commodious and comfortable meeting place for the 
organization, and for the business men of the city and county, as well 
as visitors from abroad. Its officers are: J. D. Cruise, president; F. 
S. Merstetter, vice-president; D. W. Troup, secretary. 

Some time ago a bill was introduced in Congress asking for an ap- 
propriation of $250,000 for the erection of a public building in this 
city. Hon. James H. Winram. supervising architect of Washington, 
wrote Postmaster Serviss for information regarding the amount of 
postal business transacted in this city. Mr. Serviss jjrepared a care- 
ful report and then forwarded it to Washington, D. C. The 
report shows the amount of business transacted in the post-office in 
1888 to be $22,229. against |-').0()0 for the year 1878. There are at 
present nineteen clerks employed in the office. The number of square 
feet occupied by the new office is 3,600, while the postmaster claims 
that 6,000 square feet is needed for the present postal business. He 
estimates the number of square feet needed to provide for the pros- 
pective postal increase in the nest ten years at 20,000. The rent 
now paid for post-office accommodations, including light, water and 
fuel, is $100 per month. The other Government offices here are 
United States commissioner and examiner of pensions. Ample room 
should be made in the new building for an United States court, which 
is needed very badly, and also room for the offices named above, be- 
sides others that may be required in the near future incidental to the 



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M^ — ^ -* — » hL, 

428 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



prospective rapid growth of the city, which is now the largest in the 
State in point of population and leads all largely in the employment 
of capital and labor. The estimated cost of land central and con- 
venient in location 1o business and the public, suitable for a site for 
the building, was set at $350 per front foot. Figures giving the pop- 
ulation show that in 1878 the city had 6,000 inhabitants, while ten 
years later, 1888, the population was 37,000. It is estimated that the 
city now has a population of 40,000. In connection with the amount 
of postal business transacted in 1888. Mr. Serviss explained that ow- 
ing to a complicated state of afPairs in postal matters here, which is 
now undergoing an investigation, and will no doubt be remedied soon, 
this otBce receives about one-third of the aggregate postal receipts of 
the city. When the changes are effected the receipts of the office 
will be increased over three-fold. The postal business last year, 
which has since largely increased, were only exceeded by one office in 
the State. That office is Topeka, and the excess is due to the large 
amount of matter received from the United States and State depart- 
ments. The business done in the Kansas City, Kas., office in 1889 
was 122,229; Armourdale, $12,000, besides the business transacted 
in the Kansas City, Mo., office which belongs to this side of the line, 
and can not be handled here until better facilities are afPorded in 
rapid transit, etc., aggregating $18,000, making a grand total of $52,- 
229. The annual report of the superintendent of the free delivery 
system contains the following information in regard to the carrier 
system in this city: Delivered — Registered letters, 1,918; letters, 
1,113,613; postal cards, 250,705; newspapers, 677,438. Collected — 
Local letters, 62,720; mail letters, 1,015,302; local postal cards, 38,- 
712; mail postal cards, 218,793; newspapers, etc., 328,793. Pieces 
handled — Aggregate, 3,707,739; per carrier, 337,522. Cost of serv- 
ice—Aggregate, $7,804.45; per carrier, 1709. 50; per piece in mills, 
2.1; postage on local matter $4,020.88. The above only represents 
the carrier business, but when the office business is added the total 
will be: Delivered — Registered letters, 2,657; letters, 1,513,613; pos- 
tal cards, 333,705; newspapers, 903,438. Collected— Local letters. 
83,627; mail letters, 1,353,736; local postal cards, 49,616; mail pos- 
tal cards, 291,375. Pieces handled— Aggregate, 4,943,736. Dur- 
ing the coming year the free delivery system will be extended to the 
South Side, and the mail for the stock-yards and a number of the 
large packing- houses, which now passes through Station A, Kansas 
Citv, Mo., will be handled from this office, where it legitimately 



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belougs, thereby increasing the volume of mail business in this 
city. 

The National Water Works Company, which supplies the two Kan- 
sas Cities, has this year extended its plant and increased its capacity 
far in excess of present requirements. Its main pumping-house is 
located at the mouth of the Kaw. The daily pumping ability is 37,000,- 
000 gallons. Its settling basins at Quindaro hold 158,000,000 gal- 
lons. Its stand pipe in Kansas City, Kas., holds 4,000,000 gallons 
and is higher than any of the houses; it has thirteen miles of water 
mains in this city and 1,000 consumers. One concern uses 14,000,000 
gallons per month, which is more than the entire capacity of the Kan- 
sas City, Kas., water works in 1886, when they passed into the control 
of this company. The office of the Kansas City, Kas., branch is on 
Sixth Street near the city hall, and the local interests of the company 
are under the management of Mr. R. M. Jones. 

The Consolidated Electric Light & Power Company was organized 
in 1888, on a capital of $100,000, with some of the city's best men as 
its officers: I. D. Wilson, president; Mark Harris, vice-president; 
Ben Schnierle, secretary; B. Friedberg, treasurer and manager, and 
F. C. Hatchings, attorney. On February 10, 1889, the city was lit 
for the first time by electricity, and the company has rapidly in- 
creased its business. They light the streets with 113 arc lights, and 
have another 137 taken by private parties; they have over 1,000 in- 
candescent lights in use in stores, offices and residences. Their plant 
is located at the corner of Fifth and Central Avenue, in a building 
50x70 feet. They use the Excelsior and Westinghonse systems, have 
eleven dynamos (nine arc, two incandescent), two engines, a 3t30-horse 
Hamilton-Corliss compound, and a 125-horse Armington Sims; the 
capacity is about double the present requirements; the company also 
furnish motor power to factories. 

Kansas City aspires to commercial greatness, not merely in one 
or two particular things, but in everything conducive to the upbuild- 
ing of a great city. The citizens of the county and surrounding terri- 
tory must be given a thought in order to make each point give up its 
mite of contribution, to the end that a city of magnitude and wealth 
might spring up among them. With this in view a large market 
house has been erected at the corner of Tremont Street and Reynolds 
Avenue, where every article of production within the limits of travel 
can have a value placed upon it and be receipted for in gold. Only a 
portion of the structure is at present in existence, as it has been 



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430 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



thought best to enlarge the edifice, as its capacity was taxed, and 
though at present large enough to meet present uses, it is safe to say 
that another wing will necessarily be added within a year. The pres- 
ent building is 100x40 feet, while the whole building in contemplation 
is to occupy space to the extent of 100x300 feet, giving Kansas City 
the largest market house in the West. The perfect system of railway 
facilities makes it reliably secure that Kansas City is to be the produce 
mart for the whole country around, where any article of vegetation 
may be had regardless of season or scarcity. 

St. Margaret' s Hospital is an institution where charity, in its broad- 
est and fullest sense, is exemplified, and to it the citizens of Kansas 
City can point with pardonable pride. The hospital was started a 
few years ago, and the buildings erected then cost 135, 000. Last year 
an addition costing about 18,000 was added, and another wing, similar 
in construction, will complete the front part of the building. There 
are now rooms for 120 patients. The house is under the charge of the 
" Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis," whose mother house is in Cincin- 
nati, they having settled in this country about thirty years ago, coming 
from Wachen on the Rhine. The hospital is managed on the most lib- 
eral and most charitable terms possible. An unalterable rule is, " never 
refuse admission to any patient as long as there is room — provided the 
sickuess is not contagious. ' No distinction as to creed or nationality is 
made — room, and room only, is the question. Since its opening 3, 300 
patients have been treated. Of that number, as the records will show, 
hardly one hundred were able to pay their way; the rest were treated 
gratis. To enable the Sisters to do such an immense work of charity, 
they rely only on Divine Providence and the charity of the public. 
The city and county pay for the ambulant cases, including all expenses, 
about one-fifth what the patients would co-st the city, if it had its own 
hospital. The citizens feel justly proud of this institution, and will 
ever be grateful to the founder, Eev. A. Kuhls. 

The Kansas Institution for the Education of the Blind was located 
here by three commissioners appointed by the Legislature, upon tea 
acres of land then near the city of Wyandotte, west thereof about one 
mile. The land was donated by the city of Wyandotte. The esti- 
mated value of the property of the State in this institution is : Land, 
ten acres at $f5,000 per acre, $60,000; building, $80,000; personal 
property, $11,524; total, $151,524. This institution was opened in 
September, 1868, vyith seven inmates, under charge of H. H. Sawyer. 
It was for fourteen years in charge of George H. Miller, then, and 

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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 481 



now a prominent resident hore, under whose able management it be 
came one of the leading institiitions of the State. It is now officered 
as follows: Superintendent. Col. Allen Buckner; matron, Mrs. M. E. 
Buckner; ruaster of handicraft, T. J. Hays; physician, Fred Speck. 
The total appropriations and exjienditures for this institution from 
July 1, 1866, when the lirst outlay became necessary, to July 1, 1889, 
were: For care and maintenance, and salaries and wages, appropri- 
ated, .$277,086.50; expended, $271,953.95. For permanent improve- 
ments, appropriated, $85,449.28; expended, $62,580.28. Nearly 300 
pupils have been admitted, of which number thirteen were admitted in 
1868, and twelve in 1888. The number of pupils at this time is nearly 
100. The smallest number admitted in any one year was four in 1887, 
the largest, twenty-one in 1886. Forty-five have graduated; only three 
have died while inmates of the asylum. 

In recognition of the claims of this point to commercial supremacy 
over all other points in the State, the headquarters of the Farmers' 
Alliance of Kansas has recently been removed from Topeka to Kansas 
City. This measure has aroused considerable interest among business 
men, and it is the general opinion that the Alliance will prove a valu- 
able acquisition to the commercial interests of the city. It, has been 
the custom of the Alliance people to purchase large supplies in Kan- 
sas City, and the removal of the headquarters to this point will greatly 
facilitate the work of the body. The reasons for this movement have 
been thus stated by a member of the Alliance: " The Alliance is a 
Kansas concern. , We purchase where we can do the best. Bfeing 
nearer the great markets and having the advantage of seventeen or 
eighteen great railway lines, we feel that we can do much better here 
for the people we represent than at any other point in the State.'' The 
Alliance people have for a long time been shipping their cattle and 
hogs to Kansas City, which have been disposed of very satisfactorily 
by their agents, the American Live Stock Commission Company. 

The history of hotels in Kansas City is not very extensive. It be- 
gins in the fall of 1855, when Gen. Calhoun brought his surveyor's 
oflfice to Wyandotte, and opened it in a double-log building, opposite 
where Dunning Hall now stands. On the site of Dunning HhII was 
another double-log hut, an Indian hotel, kept by Isaac W. Brown. The 
winter of 1856-57 was so very severe that ice formed to a great thick- 
ness, and when the melting weather came, gorged itself in great masses 
at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers. The cattish were 
literally cast out upon the shore in tons. They were cheap food, and the 



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'4- 



laroprietor of this lirst hotel iu AVyaadotte took such undue advantage 
of the fact, that his guests dubbed the house "The Catdsh Hotel." 
Thomas J. Barker was then chief cook. Robert Ream, the father of 
" Vinnie Ream," the famous sculptress, once chief clerk of the sur- 
veyor's office, kept a hotel which was opened in Silas Armstrong' s 
brick residence in 1857, by Thomas B. Eldridge. Here the stages 
started for the West. Mr. Ream soon afterward went to Leaven- 
worth, where he became landlord of the old Shawnee House. After- 
ward he went to reside in Washington, where his talented daughter had 
become so famous. Also, to accommodate the large immigration which 
came to Wyandotte, Col. F. A. Hunt purchased the old steamboat 
' ' St. Paul, ' ' lying at the foot of Washington Avenue, took out her 
machinery, and fitted the craft up as a hotel and warehouse. Mark W. 
Delahay, now "Judge," was the active landlord. Shortly afterward 
the Garno House was completed by Mrs. Hester A. Garno, and became 
popular witli travelers. The building still stands on the northwest 
corner of Minnesota Avenue and Third Street, and is kept by E. F. 
Gillespie. 

The Hotel Ryus, the leading public house of Wyandotte, and one 
of the neatest and most agreeably maintained in the State, is situated 
on Minnesota Avenue, on the line of the Fifth Street and Wyandotte 
cable road, and in the center of the business district. It is a three- 
story brick building, substantial in appearance without, and tastefully 
furnished within. The Ryus was opened June 0, 1882, having been 
completed by its proprietor, W. H. Ryus, at a cost of |32,00C. The 
building is 100x123 feet, and has comfortable accommodations for 
seventy-five guests. Mr. Ryus is an old settler of the county, and one 
of its most enterprising business men, and in erecting a first-class 
hotel, he showed his confidence in the continued growth and prosperity 
of the city. The lessee and manager is Mr. George E. Bell, who has 
had successful hotel experience in Kansas City, Mo., and elsewhere. 
Besides, he is an old traveling man, and knows what the traveling 
public require. Mr. Charles F. Waters is associated with Mr. Bell in 
the conduct of the Ryus. 

The principal hotel in Armourdale is the Amourdale House, at 415 
Kansas Avenue. The Commercial Hotel, at 811 North Sixth Street, is 
well patronized. Other well known public houses are the Fifth Street 
Hotel, the Hotel Normandy, the Mechanics' Hotel and the Metropoli- 
tan, some of which are more distinctively boarding houses. The Por- 
ter House, not now open, is a fine building, centrally located. 



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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 433 



All is now in readiness for the construction of the large hotel at 
the corner of Central and Park Avenues, contracted for by the Central 
Avenue Building Company on June 3. The building, without the 
ground, is to cost $85,000, and will, when completed, be one of the 
best appointed edifices in the city. The contract calls for a building 
four stories high. The first floor is to be used for mercantile and 
banking purposes, and the second story will contain offices exclusively, 
while the third and fourth floors will be utilized for hotel purposes 
and sleeping rooms, and the fourth floor will be iised for the 
most part for the kitchen and dining hall. The store rooms will face 
on both avenues and will be built to contain large retail stores. The 
structure will be provided with elevators. 

About all of the modern secret and beneficial ciders are represented 
in Kansas City. In July, A. L. 5854, a dispensation was issued from 
the Grand Lodge of Missouri to J. M. Cheviagton, W. M. ; M. R. 
Walker, S. W., and Cyrus Garrett, J. W., authorizing them to meet 
and work under dispensation. The first meeting under this warrant 
was held August 11. A. L. 5854, and a lodge of Masons under dispen- 
sation was duly organized. The officers were installed by Brother 
Piper, D. G. M. of Missouri. In May, A. L. 5855, a charter was 
granted from the Grand Lodge of Missouri to M. R. Walker, VV. M. ; 
Russell Garrett, S. W. ; and Cyrus Garrett. J. W., authorizing them 
to meet and work under the name of Kansas Lodge No. 153, A. F. & 
A. M. The first meeting under this charter was held July 27, A. L. 
5855. On the 27th of December, following, a meeting of the lodges 
of the Territory of Kansas was held at Leavenworth, at which the 
Wyandotte Lodge was represented. At this meeting the Grand Lodge 
of Kansas was organized. October 20. A. L. 5856, a charter was 
granted by the Grand Lodge of Kansas to Cyrus Garrett, W. M. ; 
George C. Van Zandt, S. W., and Henry Garrett, J. W., authorizing 
them to meet and work under the name of Wyandotte Lodge No. 3, 
A. F. & A. M. The first meeting under this charter was held 
February 20, A. L. 5857. The lodge has continued its labors uninter- 
ruptedly to the present time. Wyandotte Chapter No. 6, R. A. M., 
was organized in October, 1866. Wyandotte Council, Royal and Select 
and Super-Excellent Masons, was organized October 18, 1877. Meri- 
dias Chapter No. 1, O. E. S. , was instituted July 23. 1856. Odd 
Fellowship was introduced here with the institution of Summunduwot 
Lodge No. 3, I. O. O. F.. October 7, 1857, with six charter members: 
Silas Armstrong, Sr., J. A. Fligor, J. H. Miller, I. N. White, 

t 



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434 HISTOBY OF KANSAS. 



Joseph Eosenwalcl, J. W. Garrett. "Wyandotte Encampment No. 9 
was instituted in 1869; Teutonia Lodge No. 68, in January, 1871. 
Mystic Lodge No. 1, K. of P., was organized with fourteen members 
February 5, 1880. Fellowship Lodge No. 2 was instituted April 11, 
1882. Tauromee Lodge No. 30, A. O. U. W., was organized 
January 15, 1880. The Ancient Order of Forresters organized here in 
the same year. The above may be regarded as the pioneer lodges. 
There are now in the city the above mentioned and other lodges and 
societies as follows: 

Masonic — Wyandotte Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A. M., meets every 
first and third Friday evenings of each month at Masonic Hall, 439 
Minnesota Avenue. Henton Gordon is W. M. ; John Bennett, Sec. 
Armourdale Lodge No. 271 meets every first and third Thursday 
evenings of each month at hall, Kansas Avenue, southeast corner Sev- 
enth. J. M. Enochs, W. M. : J. G. Fertig, S. W. ; John Gray, J. W. 
Kaw Lodge No. 272, A. F. & A. M., meets first and third Wednesday 
evenings of each month at Masonic Hall, James, northwest corner 
Third. S. McConnell, W. M. ; H. Dunn, Sec. Meridias Chapter No. 
1, O. E. S., meets every second and fourth Tuesday evenihgs of each 
month at Masonic Hall, 439 Minnesota Avenue. Florence Ericsson, 
W. M. ; Henry A. Dixon, W. P. ; Nellie Sharpe, Sec. Wyandotte 
Chapter No. 6, Royal Arch Masons, holds regular meetings on the 
second and fourth Friday evenings of each mouth at Masonic Hall, 
439 Minnesota Avenue. J. W. Ferguson, H. P. ; William Priestly, 
Sec. Wyandotte Council No. 6, Royal and Select Masters, meets 
every second Thursday evening of each month at Masonic Hall, 439 
Minnesota Avenue. James Snedden, T. I. M. Ivanhoe Commandery 
No. 21, Knights Templar, meets second and fourth Wednesday even- 
ings of each month at Masonic Hall, 439 Minnesota Avenue. J. H. 
Holloway, E. C. ; J. K. Proudfit, Rec. 

Odd Fellows — Summunduwot Lodge No. 3 meets every Monday 
evening at Odd Fellows Hall, Sixth, northeast corner Minnesota Ave- 
nue. H. B. Chandler, N. G. ; W. B. Morgan, V. G. ; W. J. Russell, 
Sec. Teutonia Lodge No. 68 meets every Tuesday evening at Odd 
Fellows Hall, Sixth, northeast corner Minnesota Avenue. A. Keller, 
N. G. ; A. Adler, V. G. ; J. J. Bernhard, Sec. Kaw Valley Lodge 
No. 315 meets every Friday evening at hall, Osage Avenue, south- 
west corner Eleventh. J. Wilson, N. G. : E. B. Purel, V. G. ; G. Pu- 
rel. Sec. Wyandotte Encampment No. 9 meets second and fourth 
Saturday evenings of each month at Odd Fellows Hall, Sixth, north- 

^ (S r- -"« e v 



^ 




east corner Minnesota Avenue. 
S W. ; E. F. Gloyn, scribe. 

■ Knights of Pythias-Grand Lodge o£ Kansas: F. S. Merstetter, 
J H. Lyons, supreme representatives; G. J. Neubert, G. K. of K. & b. 
Office 544 North Nebraska Avenue. Wyandotte Division No. 10, Uni- 
form Rank K. of P., meets second Monday evening of each month, 
State southwest corner Fifth. H. L. Alden, captain. Armourdale 
Division No. 32, Uniform Rank, meets every Thursday evening 
at hall South Kansas Avenue, southeast corner Fourth. C. 
L Freeman, captain. Pythian Benevolent Association of Kansas, 
G J Neubert, Sec. and Treas., 544 North Nebraska Avenue. Myrtle 
Lodcre No. 1 meets every Tuesday evening at hall, 401 Minnesota 
Avenue. Fellowship Lodge No. 2 meets Thursday evening at hall 
401 Minnesota Avenue. Germania Lodge No. 41 meets farst and 
third Wednesday evenings of each month at hall, 401 Minnesota Ave- 
nue A A. Peterson, K. of R. & S. Fearless Lodge No. 9^ meets 
every Thursday evening at hall. South Kansas Avenue, southeast cor- 
ner Seventh. Wide Awake Lodge No. 153 meets every Monday 
evening at old City Hall. J. T. Flynn, K. of R. & S. Freia Lodge No. 
195 meets every Saturday evening at old City Hall. Calanthe Tem- 
ple No. 1, Pythian Sisters, meets second and fourth Monday evenings 
of each month at hall, 401 Minnesota Avenue. 

Improved Order of Heptasophs-Mid-Continent Conclave meets 
drst and third Tiiesdays of each month at Masonic Hall, corner Third 
and James Streets. Wyandotte Conclave meets at Odd Fellows 
Hall, Sixth and Minnesota Avenue. 

Ancient Order of Forresters-Court Pride, Armourdale, No. r0.j7, 
meets first and second Wednesday evenings of each month. Court 
Wyandotte No. 6677 meets second and fourth Wednesday evenings 

of each month. 

Ancient Order of United Workmen— Tauromee Lodge No. -iU 
meets every Friday evening at their hall. 401 Minnesota Avenue. 
Solon Woodward, M. W. Armourdale Lodge No. 216 meets every 
Wednesday evening at hall, South Kansas, southeast corner Seventh. 
Select Knights, A. O. U. W., Uniform Rank, meet every Monday 
evenincr at hall. Osage Avenue, corner Eleventh. 

Grand Army of the Republic-Sumner Post No. 10 meets first 
and third Tuesday evenings of each month at Sons of Protection Hall. 
Burnside Post No. 2S meets first and third Tuesday evenings of each 
month at Northrup Hall. Sixth, northeast corner Minnesota Avenue. 



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436 HISTOBV OF KANSAS. 



J. W. Longfellow, P. C. ; J. W. Wert, Adjt. George I. Kanson Post 
No. 303 meets every first aad third Thursday evenings of each 
month. L. C. Paine, P. C. Wyandotte Post No. 456 meets every 
Monday evening at Lugivihl Hall, west side Third, between Kansas 
and Nebraska Avenues. George D. Wagoner Post No. 474 meets 
first and third Monday evenings of each month at hall, South Kansas 
Avenue, northeast corner Seventh. Burnside Post Belief Corps No. 
1 meets second and fourth Monday evenings of each month at Saw- 
yer's Hall. Minnesota Avenue, southwest corner Fourth. 

Knights of Honor — Lodge No. 3102 meets first and third Mon- 
day evenings of each month at Sawyer's Hall, Minnesota Avenue, 
southwest corner Fourth. 

Independent Order of Good Templars -Armourdale Lodge No. 29 
meets every Saturday evening at Odd Fellows Hall, Osage Avenue, 
southwest corner Eleventh. A. E. Perkins, C. T. ; Mrs. W. S. Dun- 
can, v. T. ; Fred L. Lucas, Sec. 

Degree of Honor— Harmony Lodge No. 18 meets second and 
fourth Saturday evenings of each month at Sawyer's Hall, Minnesota 
Avenue, southwest corner Fourth. 

Equitable Aid Union — Lodge No. 179 meets on second and 
fourth Wednesday evenings of each month at Sawyer's Hall, Minne- 
sota Avenue, southwest corner Fourth. William Fletcher, president; 
John Bennett, secretary. 

Catholic Young Men's Club — Meets at 530 Minnesota Avenue. 
JohnT. Dixon, president; James Birmingham, corresponding secretary ; 
A. A. Krammer, treasurer. 

Mendelssohn Club — A. N. Moyer, president; C. J. Smith, secretary; 
J. J. Collins, treasurer. Meets in Gazette Building every Wednesday 
eveuingf. 



7 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



437 



CHAPTER XXII, 



Kansas CirVs Gueat Street IIailway and Rapid Transit Sys- 
tems—Description OF the Several Lines— History of the In- 
ter-State Consolidated Rapid Transit Railroad Company- 
Sketch OF THE Metropolitan Street Railway Company— Elec- 
tric Lines to AUMOUIIDALE and ARGENTINE— PROJECTED LlNES— 

New York Comment on Kansas City's Street Railways— A 
CJuEAT Viaduct in Prospect. 




A thousand years scarce serve lo form a Stale, 
An hour may lay it in the dust.— Lord Byron. 



\PTD TRANSIT facilities are destined to work won- 
' ders in the development of modern cities. The 
9; street car facilities of Kansas City will bear com- 
parison with those of any city in the country. 
The " L" system has eight miles of double and 
%> sixteen miles of single track. The Metropoli- 
T^ tan has two miles of double cable track and 
four miles of double track on the electric road that runs 
from the stock-yards to Argentine. To this network of 
tracks much of the prosperity of the city is due, and it has 
done more than any one other thing to build up the resi- 
dence parts of the city. The business men of Kansas 
City, Mo., can reside in the healthy and beautiful ad- 
ditions of this city, and in twenty-five minutes from the 
time they start can be at their desks across the State line. 
It is probable that before 1890 becomes a thing of the past, three 
other street car lines will be in operation ia this city, full details of 
which are given below. 

The most potent factor in the development of Kansas City has 
been the Inter State Rapid Transit Railway, or as it is more commonly 
called, the " L " road system. Its road-bed reaches out into every 




1 



'■^^ 



438 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



part of the city. Take the Union Depot as a starting point, the main 
line extends west along Ninth Street, Kansas City, Mo. , Central 
Avenue, Kaosas City, Kas., to Kiverview Station; thence it extends 
north to Edgerton Place. This is the main division of the road, and 
is three and three- fifths miles in length. Connecting with the main 
line at Fifth Street and Virginia Avenue, is the Chelsea Park division. 
This extends west to Chelsea Park, one of the prettiest pleasure places 
in the West, a distance of two miles. From Riverview Station, the 
division of like name extends west to Grandview, a distance of one 
and four-fifths miles. The Kensington line, owned by a distinct cor- 
poration, connects the western terminus of the Riverview division 
with the western terminus of the Chelsea Park division, making a 
loop encircling the entire northwestern part of the city. The Ken- 
sington line is one and one-fourth miles in length. Return to the 
starting point at the Union Depot. The Delaware Street and Tunnel 
division, three- fourths of a mile in length, extends east through the 
tunnel to the center of Eighth and Delaware Sti-eets, in Kansas City, 
Mo. The tunnel is 900 feet in length, twenty-three feet high, and 
sufficiently wide for a double-track railway. This tunnel and the en- 
gine house, from which the cable is operated, cost in the neighbor- 
hood of 1800,000. The system has facilities for carrying 50,000 
passengers a day. The trains pass every seven minutes, and have no 
equals oiitside of the city of New York, in style and equipment. 

The portion of the system which remains to be completed is the 
southern extension. This will be fully as important as any other part 
of it. A company, known as the Consolidated City & Chelsea Park 
Railway Company, has been chartered for the purpose of building this 
division. It will start from the Riverview station, extend down Fifth 
Street, along Euclid and Colorado Avenues, across the Seventh Street 
viaduct, down Seventh Street to Shawnee Avenue, east on Shawnee 
Avenue to Adams Street, thence north to Kansas Avenue, passing con- 
veniently to the packing-houses of Kingan & Co., and the numerous 
manufactories in this quarter of the city. From Riverview station to 
Adams Street and Kansas Avenue is two miles. Leaving this line at 
the corner of Seventh Street and Shawnee Avenue is another division. 
It will extend west on Shawnee Avenue to Mill Street, thence north 
to Kansas Avenue, thence west to the western city limits, thence south- 
westerly to the city of Argentine. Last fall the company obtained the 
right to use a dummy on the RiverView branch, thus giving a through 
service from the Union Depot to this growing and beautiful suburb. 



*^^—r- 



Tv" 







Among the other improvements made were the placing of new and 
improved switches at Eighth and Delaware Streets, the building of a 
shelter at the Union Depot, and the putting on of two special trains 
every evening for the accommodation of lady clerks and working girls. 

The history of the corporation which has built and perfected this 
system is as follows: In December, 1883, the Inter-State Rapid 
Transit Railway Company was organized and chartered to build a line 
or lines of railway between Kansas City, Mo., and Wyandotte and 
other points in Kansas. Prominent among the incorporators were 
D. M. Edgerton and Carlos B. Greeley, then of St. Louis, David D. 
Hoag, of Wyandotte, S. T. Smith, Robert Gillham and James Nave, 
of Kansas City, Mo. The first election of officers was held December 
15, 1883, when D. M. Edgerton was chosen president, S. T. Smith, 
vice president, and David D. Hoag, secretary. The original capital 
stock was 1600,000. It has been greatly increased. The work of 
construction was begun in May, 1886, and trains were run between 
the Union Depot and Edgerton Place in the following October. The 
long interval between the date of the company's orgaoization and the 
beginning of work on the road was partly spent in preparing in various 
ways for active operations that should insure its construction and the 
complete success of the enterprise. The real projector of this system 
was Mr. D. M. Edgerton, who has from the first been president or 
receiver of the company. When Mr. Edgerton first undertook the 
formation of a company to build this line, Wyandotte was practically 
a country town, and connected with Kansas City by a horse railway, 
which was not a very good one, even as horse railroads go. He be- 
lieved that with proper transpoitation facilities, Wyandotte, with its 
many natural advantages, might become a considerable city, and to 
him should attach the distinction of the conception of the idea of this 
important system of rapid transit. 

This railroad was the first Kansas City enterprise of real magni- 
tude and importance in which eastern capital was invested. And the 
splendid realization upon the investments so made have caused a vast 
aggregate of capital to be applied to the inauguration and furtherance 
of other schemes, which have done much and will do more for the city's 
advancement and greatness. March 22, 1887, the tracks of the Inter- 
State Rajjid Transit Railway Company were consolidated with various 
other lines which the company was then constructing, and a new or- 
ganization was effected under the name of the Inter-State Consolidated 
Rapid Transit Railway Company, which it still bears. Work on the 



K*' 



•440 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



tunnel division of the line, from the Union Depot to Eighth and Dela- 
ware Streets, Kansas City, Mo., was begun in May, 1887, and the 
trains began running in April, 1888. This tunnel, through the solid 
limestone bluff, was a gigantic undertaking. Work on the Brighton 
Hill and Chelsea Park division was begun in the spring of 1887, and 
the line was opened for travel July 4, the same year. On the River- 
view Cable Railway, work was begun in the fall of 1SS7. and the trains 
wei'e running in May, 1888. 

The line from Eighth and Delaware Streets, Kansas City, Mo., and 
the Riverview branch are operated by cable. The power house of the 
Tunnel Cable Line is located at Eighth and Bluff Streets, Kansas City, 
Mo., and that of the Riverview line at Tenth Street and Riverview 
Boulevard, Kansas City, Kas. The line from the Union Depot to 
Edgerton Place and the Chelsea Park bramih are operated by steam 
motors or " dummy " engines. The main line of the consolidated sys- 
tem extends from Eighth and Delaware Streets, Kansas City, Mo., on 
the street grade; thence through the tunnel under the bluff to Bluff 
Street; thence over viaducts and an elevated structure, to the iron 
bridge across the Kansas River. This bridge was constructed jointly 
by the railway company and Kansas City, Kas. The upper part is 
occupied by the tracks of the railway, and the lower part is used as a 
wagon bridge by the general public. From the bridge to Riverview 
station, the road runs over an elevated structure. From Riverview to 
Edgerton Place, the line is a surface road running on the street grades, 
through the heart of the Wyandotte portion of Kansas City, Kas. The 
Chelsea Park line runs from a connection with the main line in the 
northern part of the city, westwardly, through a beautifully diversified 
country, to Chelsea Park. This line opened up for residence and oc- 
cupation a section that had previously been practically inaccessible to 
business men and others desirous of making homes in this quarter. 
The rapid increase in building and other improvements along this 
branch since its completion has been most extraordinary. 

The terminus of this line, as stated, is Chelsea Park, owned by the 
company, and containing thirty-six acres of land of surpassing natu- 
ral beauty. The company has made a lavish expenditure to render 
this tract the most attractive and delightful park in the West, and the 
great crowds of people who resort thither for recreation and out- door 
pleasure testify to the perfection with which the work has been done. 
Everything that one can reasonably desire in such a place, conducive 
to comfort and real enjoyment, may be found in Chelsea Park. 

^® — r- --» — ?.rv 



The Riverview cable line has also opened up a most desirable resi- 
dence location, and made it convenient for beautiful homes for men 
who do business in the two cities. The developments along this line have 
been rapid. The railway company owns a number of very fine tracts 
of land along this line, which are offered at such prices as have insured 
their speedy and substantial development. It will be only a short time 
until this line, the pioneer in that direction, will traverse one of the 
most densely populated portions of the city. The consolidated com- 
pany has a charter for the construction of a line to and through 
Armom-dale. It will connect with the older part of the city the 
new and large manufacturing center of Armourdale and Argt^utine 
beyond. 

The Metropolitan Street Railway Company was organized and 
incorporated in July, 1886. The incorporators were C. F. Morse, 
president; W. J. Ferry, secretary; A. W. Armour, treasurer. Its 
capital was $1,250,000, for which sum it purchased Thomas Corrigan's 
entire system of horse railways in Kansas City, Mo., and its^first 
operations consisted in the conversion of these railways into cable 
lines. The first line, from the Union Depot to Market Square. Kansas 
City, Mo., was opened to the public May 1, 1887; the second, from the 
State line to Wyandotte, ran its first through train November 1 follow- 
ing. The power-house at the corner of Ninth and Wyoming Streets 
was built in the winter of 1887. The Fifth Street line of this com- 
pany runs from Wyandotte to Market Square, in Kansas City, Mo., 
where it connects with an elevated railway, which extends eastward to 
Woodland Avenue. Besides the Fifth Street line, the Metropolitan 
company owns and operates other lines as follows: The Twelfth Street 
line runs from the Union Stock Yards westward to the Porter road. 
Kansas City, Mo. The work of construction was begun in Marchj 
1887, and the line was opened in April, 1888. The power-house at 
Twelfth and Charlotte Streets. Kansas City, Mo. , was built in the fall 
of 1887. The Eighteenth Street line has been completed from " the 
Junction," Kansas City, Mo., to the eastern part of the city via Nine- 
teenth and Eighteenth Streets, returning via Eighteenth. A loop 
down Main, from " the Junction " to Third Street, westward along 
Third to Delaware Street and up Delaware to "the Junction," affordt 
connection with the Fifth Street and Wyandotte line. The Broadway 
(Kansas City, Mo.) line, not yet changed to a cable road, is operated 
by horses. The Rosedale line, a horse railway, starts at Nineteenth 
Street, Kansas City, Mo., and extends to Rosedale. The Armourdale 



r 



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442 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Electric line extends from the Union Stock Yards through Armourdale 
to Argentine. 

During 1889 the Metropolitan Street Railway Company made two 
improvements in their system in this city that are of great import- 
ance. The old mule car line that connected the North and South Sides 
of the city, via the stockyards, has become a thing of the past, and 
cars are now run by electricity. In the middle of December, the Ar- 
gentine extension was completed, and now cars run from the Union 
Stock Yards to Argentine, and for 5 cents one can ride from the end 
of Fifth, Twelfth or Eighteenth Street cables to that city. The South 
Side branch was placed in operation last October, and it has double 
tracks to Twenty-first Street. From that point to Argentine, single 
tracks with switches are used, but the second track will be laid at an 
early day. The system used is the Thompson-Houston, with overhead 
wires, and it is a decided success. The cars move along rapidly and 
smoothly, and make a trip in just about one-third of the time con- 
sumed formerly. At night the cars are lighted from the wire that 
furnishes the force with which they are propelled. 

The North and South Electric line is the principle street car line 
now under construction, and will run a double track from the Quin- 
daro Boulevard, in the north end of the city, south on Seventh Street, 
over the new railroad viaduct into the Sixth Ward. Its route more 
exactly stated, is: Beginning at Seventh Street and Quindaro Boule- 
vard, thence south to State Avenue, east to Fifth, south to Reynolds, 
west to Simpson, southwest to Seventh, south to Euclid; thence to 
and over Seventh Street viaduct to Kansas Avenue, east to Packard, 
north to Scott, east to Fourth, north to Berger, and then east to a 
point due north, Adams Street extended. A branch of the line is also 
to extend from Seventh Street, Kansas Avenue, west to the city limits. 

A franchise has been applied for, for a double-track electric line 
from Third Street and Minnesota Avenue, north and west to the Quin- 
daro Bi ulevard, and then west and south, permeating a well-settled 
portion of the city. 

State Labor Commissioner Betton has compiled statistics upon the 
street railway lines in Kansas. The report shows a total of 160 miles 
in operation in the State; amount of capital invested, $4,067,667; 
number of men employed, 705; amount paid for wages per annum, 
$43,038.36. While Kansas City stands third in the list, with 12i 
miles of double track street railway, yet of the $4,067,667 of the cap- 
ital invested in the State $1,931,122, almost one-half, is invested in 



^^ 



'^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



443 



Kansas City, Kas. Topeka has 47 miles of railway in operation, with 
only $915,000 of capital employed. Wichita, with 35 miles, has $400,- 
000 invested; Fort Scott, $200,000; Leavenworth, $100,000; Arkan- 
sas City, $100,000; Atchison, $75,000. In the number of men em- 
ployed, Kansas City again leads with 276, while Topeka reports 260. 
The next highest is Wichita, where 68 men are employed. The an- 
nual pay roll for labor is $207,996.16 in Kansas City, Kas., and in 
Topeka $140,470.52. 

Commissioner Betton's report on Kansas shows only the mileage 
of street railway in operation in the city, not including that portion of 
the lines extending west of the city limits. The following is a 
tabulated statement of the mileage of Kansas City, Kas. , street railway 
lines, not including that porHon extending across the State line into 
Missouri : 



Main line " L " road 

Brighton Hill and Chelsea Park 

Riverview line 

Metropolitan Cable 

Metropolitan Electric 

Kensinfftou line 



Total mileage. 




The most important feature in street railway development in. 1889 
was the construction of the Metropolitan Company's magnificent 
electric line, extending from the terminus of the Twelfth Street cable 
line through the Sixth Ward to Argentine, a distance of four and 
one half miles. This removes the last horse-car line in the city. 
The electric line was completed to Twenty-second Street in August, 
and the extension to Argentine was placed in operation three months 
later. The Inter-State Elevated Railway Company has not only im- 
proved its service on all its lines, but the use of a cable on the River- 
view line has been abandoned, and trains are now run by steam-motor 
power. The company has secured a new franchise from the River- 
view line, and if accepted, through trains will be run from the Kansas 
City, Mo., terminus to Grandview Park and probably on to Chelsea 
Park over the Kensington line, thus making a loop line. The "L" 
Company is also preparing to construct the long-talked-of line from 
Riverview throtigh the Fifth Ward and over the viaduct into the 
Sixth Ward, and thence to Argentine. This will be the greatest im- 



-© \ 



^^ — ^ 

444 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



provement. that coiild be made, giving a more direct line from the North 
Side to the South Side. 

In recognition of the street railway enterprise of Kansas City, a 
New York newspaper has said: "Kansas City, Kas. , has a great 
street railway feature, and already affects a system unequaled by any 
city of her size in the United States in point of solid arrangement, 
construction and general accommodation. The elevated road, the 
only one west of New York City, is here in practical usage, forming 
the coQnecting link between the two great Western metropolises. 
The Metropolitan system is one of the most extensive cable lines in 
the West, and controls and operates the best paying lines of the two 
cities. During the present year several new lines will be added to 
accommodate the great growth of the city." 

The Mardis-Thayer Street Railway Company isendeavoring to get 
franchises for a mammoth electric street railway line that would prove 
a rival to the Metropolitan system. It is understood that the new line 
is to act in conjunction -with the Citizens' Street Railway of Kansas 
City, Mo., giving it the outlet on Wyandotte Street which the Citizens' 
Railway has most needed to make it a paying investment. Starting 
at Tenth and Wyandotte, the new electric line will extend north to 
Fourth Street; thence west to the river, and along land which is'now 
being reclaimed, to the mouth of the Kaw, where it will join the line 
in this city. It is expected that an extension of the line from the 
Sixth Ward will cross the Kaw River into Missouri, south of Kingan's 
packing-house, and return over the blufP. entering Wyandotte Street 
at the South, and return to the point of starting. The grand tour will 
cover twelve miles, double track, and will require the construction of 
two bridges and a viaduct 3,000 feet long. The viaduct alone will 
cost 1100,000, and the engineers estimate that the entire system of 
twelve miles will cost $500,000. Boston capitalists have looked over 
the ground and reported favorably to this project. 

To stop short here and say nothing of the connection of the street 
railway system of this city with that of Kansas City, Mo., more than 
has been necessarily said thus far, would be to do an injustice which 
ought not to be admissible in a work of the character of this. The 
combined systems are accessible to every citizen of this city, and have 
been more truly than anything else, instrumental in building up her 
business interests and extending her visible limits. The construction 
and development of this system has been surprisingly rapid. In 1885 
the first cable-train was operated in Kansas City, Mo., and now includ- 

e) ~ \Q 



^ 




ing the lines in Kansas City, Kas. , sbe has nearly ten times the mile- 
age of the entire world in 1880, and more than any other city in the 
world to-day. The cable system has been of immense benefit to both 
cities. It has brought most desirable residence localities within easy 
reach of the business centers, and has built up and developed sections 
which without rapid transit would to-day show little improvement. 
Kansas City's growth was amazing. With it came a demand for quick 
transportation, which was met promptly and has developed into one 
of the most perfect systems of rapid transit ever known. Every sec- 
tion of the two cities has been brought within easy reach of the 
center. The three principal street railway companies represent 
an investment of $10,000,000, and so great is the travel that the 
investments bring large returns. The cable railways of Kansas 
City are a surprise to all visitors and a convenience, which, owing to 
the peculiar formation upon which the city is built, could not be done 
without. Besides the roads already iu operation, franchises have 
been granted for the building of twenty miles more, which will bring 
the cable railway mileage of the city up to 155 miles. 

That the two Kansas Cities will eventually be connected by a via- 
duct extending from the bluff on the Kansas side to the blufp in Mis- 
souri, no one affects to disbelieve; but, while the matter has been 
talked of during the past few years, it was only during 1889 that any 
practical steps were taken in this direction. The value of this 
important structure can not be overestimated to this city. At the 
present time it is a most difficult matter to go between the two cities 
without meeting with delays of some nature. The great railroads, 
whose network of tracks covers the bottoms between the cities as the 
water covers the sea, furnish obstructions innumerable. The switches 
and side-tracks that cross the streets, besides being a nuisance to di'ive 
over, frequently block travel with freight trains. Not only are the 
delays unpleasant, but travel is none too safe with these existing con- 
ditions. Then a circuitous route has to be taken, and much valuable 
time lost. The viaduct will obviate all these unpleasantries, and will 
do away with the loss of time and the danger incident to traffic. The 
following is its probable direction: Starting from Fifth and Central 
Streets, using the Missouri Pacific viaduct, already in course of con- 
struction, then on a straight line across the Kaw River, over the stock 
pens on the other side of the river to the James Street viaduct, where 
a connection will be made. The structure would then be headed for 
the Twelfth Street viaduct, which Kansas City, Mo., built several 



v 



4^ 

1 



446 



HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



years ago, and which has only been used as a foot bridge. This could 
be utilized, and the structure would then go in the direction of the 
bluffs at Twelfth and Main Streets. The structure would be of suffi- 
cient width to allow two lines of teams to pass, and would be canti- 
levered on each side for foot passengers. Engineers declare that the 
entire viaduct could be constructed for 1250,000, including the bridge 
across the Kaw River. The distance from the Kansas bluff to the 
State |line is about 3,000 feet, while it is not so great from the 
Missouri bluff to the imaginary line that divides the two States. A 
number of approaches could and would be placed at convenient cross 
streets, [and the heavy teaming from the wholesale houses of the bot- 
toms to this city would be taken fi'om the streets. 






^\'^ 



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=^^^^ 



;\^ 



^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



Ul 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



Kansas City's Immense Live Stock Market and Meat Packing In- 
terests— The Second Largest Poisk-Packing Centek in the 
WoKLD— Rise and Progress of the Industry— Sketches of the 
Great Packing Establishments— Twenty-two Years of Meat 
Packing — An Era of Wonderful Progress — Contributory 
Causes— The Past Year's Rejiarkable Showing— Facts, Fig- 
ures AND Statistics— Thk Outlook for the Future. 



Tben none was for party; 
Then all were for the State; 

Then the great man helped the poor. 
And the poor man loved the great. — Lord Nacanlay. 



^^EOPLE abi-oad, when reading of the immense 
packing interests of Kansas City, with very 
few exceptions, unless they have visited this 
locality and seen for themselves, credit 
Kansas City, Mo., with this great enterprise, 
and it can not be denied that those who have 
so industriously boomed Kansas City, Mo., 
within the past few years, have contributed in 
no small measure to this injustice to Kansas City, Kas. 
The fact remains, however, that for the most part the 
packing industry is located in Kansas City, Kas., and 
practicallv forms a considerable part of its business and 
commercial importance, though from causes most nat- 
ural and easily understood, the managers of these con- 
cerns have large interests, commercially and financially, 
with Kansas City, Mo., banking and similar institutions. 
Although it is comparatively but a few years since 
pork and beef packing was begun at this point, such has 
been the success of this undertaking that at the present time Kansas 
City ranks as the second largest pork-packing center in the world. 




^' 



w 



^^ 



448 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



The causes which have contributed to this gratifying result can be 
easily explained and understood. Kansas City is situated in the cen- 
ter of the greatest corn-raising section in the country, and as the sup- 
ply of marketable hogs is regulated almost entirely by the supply of 
corn, it can readily be seen how naturally it became the market for 
the hog product. The railroad facilities radiating from Kansas City 
through Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska, four of the most im- 
portant corn-growing States in the Union, make this market the re- 
ceptacle of nearly all their hog and beef products. The packers here 
can afford to pay better prices than their competitors at more eastern 
points, for the reason that the latter have to pay freight, on the live 
stock, and freight back on the manufactured product in order to get 
into the territory whei-e Kansas City packers ship most of their 
goods — namel3% the south and southwest. The packers here can 
place their products all through the South, including seaboard points, 
at the expense of Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Louisville. The 
same is true of the West and Northwest. The bulk of the product 
manufactured here goes for domestic consumption; the exports, how- 
ever, especially of beef, sum up to no inconsiderable amount. 

The rise and progress of this now great industry in Kansas City 
is the development of natural causes. As soon as events demonstrat- 
ed that a supply of cattle would be found on the western prairies, 
packers were attracted to the frontier. The pioneer in this field was 
Edward W. Pattison, who, in 1867, established a packing-house at 
Junction City, Kas. , where he formed a company, and during that year 
packed about 1,000 cattle. Acquaintance with the country soon satisfied 
him that Kansas City possessed the best commercial facilities near the 
frontier, and offered the best advantages for his business. Hence, in 
1808, in company with J. W. L. Slavens, he built the first packing- 
house, the one now occupied by Jacob Dold & Son. During the first 
year of the operations of Messrs. Pattison & Slavens here, they 
packed about 4,200 cattle, the first beef packing done at this point. 
The same year Thomas J. Bizzer. formerly of Belfast, Ireland, came 
and began the packing of hogs for the Irish and English markets, the 
first enterprise of this kind started here after the war, though some 
little packing had been done prior to the war by M. Divelej', J. L. 
Mitchener and others, on the Missouri side. In 1868 Mr. Bizzer 
built a small store-house on St. Louis Avenue, West Kansas City, 
where he packed away his meat, the slaiightering being done for him 
by Messrs. Pattison & Slavens. In 1889 Mr. Slavens sold his interest 



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^'- 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 449 



in the packing-house of Pattison & Slavens to Dr. F. B. NofHinger, 
of Kansas City, Mo., and formed a co- partnership known as Ferguson, 
Slavens & Co., by whom was built the packinghouse which later 
came to be owned and occupied by the Morrison Packing Company. 
The tirm of Ferguson, Slavens & Co. was succeeded by Slavens & 
Oburn, who sold this plant ,to the company above mentioned. 

Plankinton & Armours came to Kansas City in 1870, and rented 
the packinghouse of Pattison & Nofsinger, but in the following year 
built their own house. They had already two large houses, one in 
Milwaukee and the other in Chicago. From the date of the establish- 
ment of their business here the steady and rapid progress of the great 
interest they represented may be said to have begun in Kansas City. 
Up to that time it had been conducted on a comparatively limited scale. 
A few years ago John Plankinton retired from the firm of Plankinton 
& Armours, when the world-known corporation of the Armour Broth- 
ers Packing Company was organized. 

This concern, which is so material a factor in the interests of 
this locality, consists at present of P. D. Armour, Chicago; H. O. 
Armour, New York, and A. W., S. B., K. B. and C. W. Armour, of 
Kansas City, Mo. The managing force consists of R. Moody, general 
manager; George W. Tourtelot, superintendent; William G. Cargill, 
assistant superintendent. The firm located here in the fall of 1870. 
killing their first stock in a rented building, making an average of 500 
cattle and 500 hogs daily. As the city increased in population, the de- 
mand for fresh and cured meats also increased, and the Armours were 
comjielled to secure larger quarters. They have enlarged this build- 
ing from time to time until their present plant is second in the United 
States. Their buildings cover an area of nine acres and are as fol- 
lows: A, 175x149, with an L 129 feet, with a boiler-room attached, 
150x50; B, 103x148; C, 129x148; D, 147x72; E, 279x45; F, 
135x147, with an L attached, 94x63; G, 98x183; H, 96x183; I, 108x133; 
K. 108x50; L. 176x41; M, 65x128; N, 128x113; O. 72x103: P, 
35x108; Q, 24x157; R, engine room, 105.x96, with an L 100x50; S, 
157x41; T, 142x118, 57 feet high; U, 56x180. These buildings, with 
the exception of D. are four stories and basement high, D being only 
two stories and basement. They are building a very large seven-story 
addition, which will cover their entire space. The plant contains car and 
machine shop for the rebuilding and repairing of refrigerator cars. This 
is under the management of Mr. T. B. Roberts, a mechanic of years' ex- 
perience in carpenter shops, with Charles Bohl as foreman, also black- 



^ 



450 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



smith shops and laundry. The company employ monthly on an averaoe 
of 1,900 men dailj', not including the clerical force and officials. The 
pay- roll of this small "army" foots up to about S66,665 per month or 
1800, 000 yearly. This is for the day laborers, outside of the office de- 
partment. An addition lately established that is of great benefit to the 
clerks and foremen, is the restaurant, under the control of the com- 
pany. 

The machinery used is as follows: 4 engines of 500 and 600 horse- 
power each; 21 tubular boilers; 4 Heine boilers of 600 horse power 
each; 2 sets of Babcock boilers of 500 horse- power per set. The re- 
frigerator capacity is immense, capable of reducing the temperature 
in the coolers below zero, or 825 tons every twentyfoiu- hours, or 
capable of manufacturing one-half that quantity of ice. The electric 
plant consists of three arc dynamos of 120 arc lights and 2 Slatterly 
induction system incandescent dynamos of 1,200 lights. These are 
distributed through the buildings. They own for their own use 250 
refrigerator cars, used for the shipment of dressed beef to different 
cities in all parts of the East, South and West. The amount of fuel 
used by this mammoth establishment can be imagined when the fact 
is stated that it takes four cars of coal daily for its engines. The re- 
ceipts of coal, salt and lumber used by the firm average 415 car loads 
monthly. They use for their shipments 1,008 cars monthly, with 
an average weight of 35,000 pounds per car. Their killing ca- 
pacity has been found insufficient, and has been added to. The 
greatest day of killing was 1,124 cattle, 6,800 hogs, 1,900 sheep. 
Since August 12, 1889, to August 12, 1890, the yearly kill has been 
as follows: Cattle, 208,139; hogs, 703,715; sheep, 43,857. They use 
seventeen large, heavy express wagons and 46 horses for the delivery 
to the home and shipping trade. 

The trade is both domestic and foreign, largo warehouses in New 
York being necessary to facilitate the European trade. The extent of 
one branch of the company's business, the canning of beef, maybe best 
realized from the fact that 35,000 to 40,000 boxes of tin are used 
annually in making cans. The company has a similar institution in 
Chicago, which is the only establishment in the world which excels 
the Kansas City branch in the extent of its output and business. 

The house of Jacob Dold & Son was founded by Jacob Dold, in 
Buffalo, N. Y. , in 1830, and is one of the oldest and largest concerns 
of its kind in the country. Besides their packing-houses at Buffalo 
and Kansas City, the firm have one of the most complete packing- 

^ 6 r- -^ ©pv 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 451 



bouses in the country at Wichita, Kas. , and a large distributing house 
at Harrisburg, Penn. The immense business of this house at this 
point was conceived by, and has always been under the personal man- 
agement of Mr. J. C. Dold, a son of Jacob Dold, the pioneer pork 
packer of Buffalo, an active, pushing man, scarcely yet in the prime 
of life. In 1880 he made a trip through the West, and after visit- 
ing Chicago, St. Louis, St. Joseph and other towns, came almost 
accidentally to Kansas City. He was at once impressed with the 
idea that Kansas City was one of the most advantageous points in 
the vrorld for a i)acking-house. His father had ten years before 
predicted that at or near Kansas City would some day be the great 
packing center of the world, and this promise, afforded by the 
tendency of the business to concentrate here, indicates that his pre- 
diction will be fulfilled. In the fall of 1880 the firm bought the old 
Nofsinger beef packing-house, and Mr. J. C. Dold began a series of 
operations here that have resulted in the present magnificent enter- 
prise. The new venture was a success from the beginning, and soon 
outstripped the parent establishment in the quality of its productions 
and the volume of its transactions. The old j)lant was what is known 
as a "winter house" — one without refrigerating facilities, where 
meat-packing can not be carried on during the summer months. In 
1882 the house invested about $150,000 in a summer and winter plant, 
increasing its facilities here in every department, and during the suc- 
ceeding year a business of a quarter of a million dollars was done. 
Since then operations have been gradually extended, and the pro- 
ductive capacity of the plant has been nearly doubled each year, until 
now about 1,500 men are employed, and an annual business of more 
than $10,000,000 is done. The plant covers an area of six acres, and 
has a capacity exceeding 5,000 hogs, 2,000 cattle and 1,000 sheep per 
day. The trade of the house extends to all f)arts of the civilized world, 
and it has nearly 200 representatives in the United States, Europe, 
Australia, China and Japan. 

. In 1881 the extensive beef and pork packing and lard refining 
firm of Fowler Brothers, with packing-houses in Liverpool, New York 
and Chicago, began operations in Kansas City. Early in 1884 George 
Fowler purchased his brother's interest in the establishment here, and 
conducted it alone until January 1, 1886, when his son, George A., 
became a partner under the firm name of George Fowler & Son. 
This plant, near the junction of the Kaw and Missouri Rivers, is one 
of the largest and best equipped packing houses in the city, covering 



i "V 






452 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



an area of nearly seventeen acres. This firm makes a specialty of 
refining lard. Extensive consignments are made to European jDorts, 
this export trade amounting to more than .^r), 000, 000 annually, about 
one third of the annual business of the house. 

The Morrison Packing-house is a branch of the well-known Cin- 
cinnati packing-house of James Morrison & Co. , established in 1845. 
Operations were begun in Kansas City in 1884, when the present 
owners succeeded Slavens & Oburn. Their attention is given exclu- 
sively to the hog product. 

The Kansas City Packing Company began operations in Kansas 
City in 1884. This enterprise is conducted by A. J. Morris and S W. 
Bull, who have also an extensive establishment in St. Louis. The 
concern here packs both pork and beef, but lately have confined their 
operations principally to the prejaaration of dressed beef. 

The Allcutt Packing Company was organized in November, 1885, 
and is composed of W. P., C. T., G. P. and E. H. Allcutt and D. C. 
Smith. Its operations are confined solely to hog packing. Its estab- 
lishment covers about three acres. W. P. Allcutt, president of the 
comjsany, was superintendent of the Armour Packing Company in this 
city for fifteen years prior to the organization of the Allcutt Packing 
Company. 

The Kingan Packing Company began the packing of pork in Kan- 
sas City about three years ago. It is a branch of the mammoth 
establishment of Kingan & Co., of Indianapolis, with a distributing 
house at Richmond, Va. The headquarters of the company is in Bel- 
fast, Ireland. Its packing establishment in this city, completed in 
November, 1887, embraces six large buildings, covering a space of six 
acres. The resident managers of the company are W. J. and J. S. 
Keid. 

The large dressed beef house of Swift & Co. , of Chicago, was put 
in operation about two years ago, and when completed in the summer 
of 1887, in addition to the increased facilities of establishments pre- 
viously in operation here (about 35 per cent) by the erection of new 
buildings, made the capacity for handling hogs and cattle in Kansas 
City unexcelled by those of any other city in the United States. 

Many extensive improvements were made in the great packing 
establishments in 1889. The Kansas City Packing Company has 
taken charge quite recently of the old Western Dressed Beef Com- 
pany's plant, which has been idle about three years. By this the 
company's facilities for slaughtering beeves have been materially 



3<t; 



increased. Swift & Co. made from 1200,000 to $300,000 worth of 
improvements in 1889, besides rebuilding the tanking and fertilizing 
departments, which were destroyed by fire in August. A large six- 
story cold storage building, covering an area of about 200x300 feet, 
has been added, besides a new four-story smoke-house and an engine- 
house. New additions have also been made in this company's shops. 
The Armour Packing Comjiany made extensive repairs in its shops as 
well as in other departments. In November the fertilizing department 
of the Armour Company's plant was burned to the ground, involving 
a loss of about $S5,0()J. This was rebuilt in a remarkably short 
time and is now in operation. Other packing companies have made 
substantial improvements by way of increasing their facilities. 

The Kansas City Stock Yards deserve prominent mention at this 
place. The rapid and wonderful growth of Chicago as a live-stock 
market, and the financial success which crowned the consolidation and 
concentration in 1865 of the several individual and separate yards of 
that city, was probably the principal cause of the incorporation of the 
Kansas City Stock Yards Company. The capitalists who conceived 
and have built up the present immense yards at Kansas City were 
drawn to this point by the already large and rapidly increasing ship- 
ments of Texas cattle from Abilene and other towns on the line of the 
Union Pacific Railway, and also by the large immigration of settlers 
into the State of Kansas, who naturally would raise within a very few 
years great numbers of cattle, hogs and sheep to be marketed. The 
range cattle going east by the way of, and being unloaded and fed at 
Kansas City to the number of about 35,000 in 18(57, had increased to 
more than 100,000 in 1870, and there was every reason to believe that 
this would be doubled in 1871. With this outlook for the future, the 
company was formed in the spring of 1871, and the pens, which were 
but the nucleus of the present yards, were built and completed in 
May of that year. June 1 the yards were formally opened for busi- 
ness, and from the opening until December 31 received, in round num- 
bers, 120,000 cattle, 41,000 hogs, 4,500 sheep and 800 horses and 
mules. This very flattering business for the first six months was, 
however, nearly all merely fed and forwarded, as there was little effort 
made to make sales in Kansas City, there having been as yet no com- 
mission houses established. Several Chicago houses had representa- 
tives here to see that their consignments were properly cared for and 
forwarded, and also to solicit fi'esh patronage from owners, who were 
not yet consigned to a Chicago firm; and these men, or the owners, 



;r^ 



would occasionally make a sale at the Kansas City Stock Yards, but it 
was not, until the spring of 1872 that the tirst Kansas City commis- 
sion tirm was established. From this commencement has grown the 
great commission business of this market, now done by over sixty 
firms, any one of which sell in a single mouth more stock than was 
sold by all in 1872. 

The year 1871 may, therefore, be said to be the starting point from 
which Kansas City has grown to be a great live-stock market, in fact 
the greatest, with but one exception, in the world. Fifteen years ago 
the Kansas City packing-houses bad a limited local reputation. To- 
day their product is widely and favorably known in every corner pene- 
trated by civilization, and those who are best qualified to judge and 
have witnessed the transfer of Cincinnati's great killing and packing 
interests to Chicago, confidently predict the revolution in commerce 
which will in a short time place the market of Kansas City at the 
head of this branch of industry. 

The past success and propitious future of the yards is directly due 
to the liberal and intelligent management by the oflicers of the com- 
pany and to the commission merchants, who, as a rule, are men of 
wealth, liberal ideas, and a practical, comprehensive knowledge as to 
what is needed to insure the successful conduct of a mammoth market. 
Hence the stock yards are constructed upon a grand scale, commodious 
and well appointed, with ample facilities for feeding, weighing and 
shipping cattle, hogs, sheep horses and mules. The yards are planked 
throughout, excellently watered, and the .system of drainage is better 
than can be found in any similar institution in the country. All of 
the sixteen roads running into Kansas City switch directly into the 
yards. The handling of stock is done systematically, with the utmost 
promptness, and there is no delay nor clashing. The geographical 
location is central and most favorable, with reference to both pro- 
ducers and consumers. It is vnthin easy reach of the vast grazing 
grounds of the West and Southwest, and in close proximity to the 
great consuming districts of the East and South, to which is added 
the thorough railway facilities, opening up the markets of the country 
to the coast, both south and east, and also affording direct connections 
with the great commercial centers of Europe. 

In 1872 the first large slaughtering and packing-house was built 
in Kansas City, and since then other branch establishments of the 
largest and strongest houses in the world have been located here, until 
there are now eight houses in operation, with a combined capacity of 



^^ 



J^l 



.S> i> 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 455 



4,000 cattle, 30,000 hogs and 3,000 sheep per day. This demand in 
itself would insure competition, but it is forced also to compete with 
a corps of buyers and shippers to Eastern markets, that stand ready 
at any time to take, at high prices, the entire receipts of the yards. 
This active competition among buyers, with a constant attendance of 
purchasing agents from the great packing houses of Chicago, Omaha, 
Indianapolis, Cincinnati, New York, Boston and Baltimore, cause 
prices to rule high at this market, and invite immense herds from the 
plains of the West, a territory larger than the whole of Europe, while 
the outlet is limited only by the capacity of the markets of the world. 

The total yearly shipments by railroad from 1871 up to and 
including 1889, aggregated: Cattle, 5,607,732; hogs, 4,569,529; 
sheep, 1,132,219; horses and mules. 207,691; cars, 346,167. There 
were driven out of the yards for packers' and city use in that 
time: Cattle, 2,050,757; hogs, 14,320,842; sheep, 1,008,452; horses 
and mules, 77,383. The valuation of stock handled at these yards 
in nineteen years amounted to $453,524,601. The receipts to May 
31, 1890, from January 1, were: Cattle, 545,085; calves, 6,206; hogs, 
922,253; sheep, 253,541; horses and mules, 16,347; total, 1,743,432, 
or a total increase of 20.2 per cent. Average receipts per day, 11,546 
head. 

The largest receipts in one day of cattle were 11,233; hogs, 21,765; 
sheep, 6,033; horses and mules, 730; cars, 616. The largest re- 
ceipts in one week: Cattle, 65,634; hogs, 103,544; sheep, 23,007; 
horses and mules, 1,383; cars, 3,670. The largest receipts in one 
month: Cattle, 171,015; hogs, 306,456; sheep, 46,421; horses and 
mules, 4,002; cars, 9,718. The largest receipts for any one year: 
Cattle, 1889, 1,220,343; hogs, 1887, 2,423,262; sheep, 1889, 370,- 
772; horses and mules, 1889, 34.563; cars, 1889, 83,972. 

Although Kansas City became a packing point before it had a stock 
market, it was not iintil the creation, in 1871. of a cattle and hog mar- 
ket, that the packing interest began to grow rapidly. In 1872 the 
city had attained great importance as a packing point, and in 1874 
was the principal source of supply for packed beef, and since that time 
has retained nearly a monopoly of the trade. The shipment of dressed 
beef has been very large. The other beef product has been distributed 
about the country in the form of canned meats, barreled beef, and less 
than carload lots of dressed beef. Previous to 1872 there was no sum- 
mer packing worthy of mention, but since that time business has been 
continued throughout the year by all large packing-houses of the 



T> V 



J^l 



M± 



456 



HISTORY OF KAXSAS. 



country. Among packers the year is divided into two seasons — 
summer and winter — the former extending from March 1 to No- 
vember 1, the latter from November 1 to March 1. The year 188'.) 
completed the twenty-second year of the packing business in Kansas 
City. From 13.000 bogs and 4,200 cattle handled in 1868, the busi- 
ness has advanced, step by step, until nearly 2,000.000 hogs and nearly 
500,000 cattle are annually converted into meat products and distrib- 
uted to the consumers of the world. Thus it is shpwn that a few 
years bring many changes, even to those most actively engaged in bus- 
iness. The advancement made in this particular industry since its in- 
ception has been of such magnitude that in 1887 it was considered a 
poor day's work when 13,000 hogs and 4,200 cattle were not killed in 
the great white packing establishments which skirt the Kaw and 
Missouri Rivers, and figures given elsewhere will indicate the change 
since then. The increase since 1886 is most remarkable, and is char- 
acteristic only of the wonderful development of all interests here on 
both sides of the State line: yet packers and meat men here, at Chica- 
go, Boston, Cincinnati, and other great commercial centers, agree that 
as yet the packing industry is only in its infancy. As showing the 
progress of the packing business since its inception in this city, the 
following table is given: 




The causes which have led to such a wonderful increase in this im- 
portant industry are similar to those which have distinguished Kansas 
City (as the term is generally applied — to lioth Kansas Cities) as among 
the most remarkable cities of the continent. The constantly increasing 
-territory tributary to the home markets, and the vast net of railway 
lines reaching out in every direction and affording direct communication 
with all of the leading towns and cities within a radius of 1.000 miles, 



^^ 



;f^ 



i^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



457 



are among the factors which have been the mean-; of placing Kansas 
City before the world as the coining meat center of the continent. The 
above figures demonstrate most forcibly how rapid has been the 
growth of the beef and pork-packing interest of Kansas City. No oth- 
er city in the world can show an equal exhibit in this respect. Chica- 
go, St. Louis, Indianapolis and other leading packing centers have as 
steadily declined in the aggregate of their output as Kansas City has 
steadily increased in hers. The future outlook for this source of ma- 
terial prosperity is exceedingly bright, and that Kansas City will soon 
take the first place among the beef and pork packing centers there 
seems no reasonable doubt. 

In the dressed-meat indnstry there has been a general and for the 
most part steady advance in the different branches, except in mutton. 
With a heavy demand the year round for beef products, the dressed 
meat men have all the business they can attend to. The improved 
slaughtering processes, as well as the refrigerator car system, has had 
the effect of doing away with the old method of butchering, and it is 
really surprising to note the demand upon the market from the smaller 
cities and large towns in the East, West, North and South. Kansas 
City dressed meat has been found in large distributing depots at Mem- 
phis, New Orleans, Mobile, Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Tampa, 
by a visitor to Florida, who was informed that nearly all of the cities 
of the South were similarly provided. 

Not only can it be said of Kansas City that her position as the sec- 
ond packing center of the world was grandly maintained in 1889, but 
it can also be stated with the same degree of truth that wonderful 
progress has been made in the dressed-meat industry that necessarily 
entitles her to distinction as the leading city of the Southwest as a 
mai'ket for fresh meats. 

In packing operations, 1889 was the banner year, despite the many 
disturbing influences. The demand upon the home market for meats 
was greater than ever before, and the facilities for distribution were 
improved, hence the shipments of the various meat products from Kan- 
sas City were from 65,000,000 to 75,000,000 pounds in excess of the 
shipments for 1888, being about 535,000.000 pounds in 1889 as against 
463, 000. 000 pounds in 1888. The number of cattle slaughtered in Kan- 
sas City in 1889 was 490,000 as against 361, 000 for the year 1888, an in- 
crease of 129,000or a fraction over thirty-two per cent. The slaughter of 
sheep also grew wonderfully, the total for 1889 being 201,000, or 20,- 
000 in excess of the slaughtering for 1888. In pork packing the ag- 



'^' 



r^ 



jki 



458 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



gregate number of hogs killed for the year was 1,715,000 as against 
1,605,000 in 1888, an increase of 10,000 or seven per cent. 

There was a decided activity in packing operations in 1889, as in- 
dicated by the returns for each month, the business not being coulined 
to any particular season. There was a shade of dullness in pork pack- 
ing in August and September, which was quite natural, the farmers pre- 
ferring to hold their hogs until cooler weather, but during these months 
the activity in the dressedbeef line was the most remarkable ever ex- 
perienced in Kansas City. In October the number of cattle slaughtered 
was larger than the number slaughtered in the year 1884, and almost 
equal to half the slaughtering of 1887. The receipts of hogs the 
early part of the year showed a slight improvement over the receipts 
for 1888, both in volume and weight, while the warm weather in Novem- 
ber and December has to some extent caused farmers to hold their 
stock for feeding. The following is the tabulated statement of the 
slaughtering of hogs, cattle and sheep for 1889 bj' months: 



Month 

January 

February 

Maich 

Ai)ril 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

Total, 1889 



Cattle. 



38,532 
31,809 
36,809 
31,210 
33.846 
28,970 
41.53.1 
45,121 
56, .535 
70,305 
47,021 
39,700 



490,383 



Sheep. 



24,700 
19,300 
18,700 
17,700 
13.100 
8,500 
9.900 
14,100 
11,200 
21,500 
20,700 
20,800 



200,200 



Hogs. 



150,706 
142,262 
139,025 
121,048 
173.783 
199,050 
125.912 
72.918 
82,095 
121,981 
173.528 
213,000 



The depression in prices of cattle, the natural result of over-pro- 
duction, was the means of creating a bitter war against the dressed- 
beef industry early in the last season. This war was instigated by the 
butchers' associations, who attemj)ted to show that the depression of 
the cattle trade was due to the dressed-beef men controlling the cattle 
markets, rather than to the real cause. While the beef industry was 
hampered to a certain extent by the passage of worthless cattle-inspec- 
tion laws, designed to prohibit the distribution of dressed beef, yet the 
efPect is in no manner perceptible. 

An inspection of the figures representing the volume of business 
in the beef products shows that there has never been anything like it. 
Under the present method of shipping fresh beef, pork and mutton in 



-^ i 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



459 



refrigerator cars, consumers in the Eastern and New England States, 
in the Middle and Southern States, and in the Western States, are only 
too glad of the opportunity of buying choice Kansas City meats from 
retail dealers in their own towns and cities. The cause of all this is 
quite apparent. Kansas City is within close proximity to the greatest 
cattle ranges and feeding grounds in the world; hence her packers are 
enabled to secure the finest quality of beef cattle raised in the United 
States. Then, too, it is far cheaper and better to ship the beef prod- 
ucts than to ship live cattle. 

The total shipment of fresh beef was 215,387,000 pounds as against 
141,414,000 pounds for 1888, an increase of 73,973,000 pounds. The 
shij^ment of mess beef was 10,190 barrels, or 2,038,000 jjounds, as 
against 2,165 barrels, or 433,000 in 1888. In canned beef the ship- 
ments were about 3,700,000 pounds less than in 1888, the attention of 
packers being diverted to fresh meats. The shipment of tallow also 
showed a handsome gain, being 12,992,000 for 1889, as against 7,401,- 
000 pounds for 1888. In oleomargerine, which is becoming an im- 
portant article in trade, by reason of its superior quality, the output 
for 1889 was about 10,000,000 pounds, an increase of about 4,000,000 
pounds over last year's output. 

The growth of the mutton trade is a matter of great satisfaction. 
For several years it has been almost impossible to supply the demand 
for choice mutton, but, by an extra exertion on the part of local pack- 
ers, together with the adoption of cheaper methods of shipping, the 
receipts of sheep on the market have been materially increased, 
and the difficulty of supplying the trade has been practically reme- 
died. 

The trade in the various articles classed as pork products was 
decidedly healthy during 1889, although Kansas City has the facilities 
for doing a much more extensive bu.siness. The trade is governed by 
the supply of hogs, and while the supply was not so liberal as packers 
would have liked, yet they had little cause for complaiiit. Prices of 
hogs were moderately high and the same can be said of the prices of 
pork products. 

The shipment of fresh pork has become a great item, and this is in 
a measure responsible for a decrease in the shipments of bacon and 
salt pork, the output being about 243,000,000 pounds for 1889, as 
against 259,000,000 pounds for 1888. In barreled pork there was a 
very large increase, the shipments for 1889 being 9,600,000 pounds, 
as against 3,144,000 pounds in 1888. The amount of lard shipped in 



,4 


" . fc- 




>^, 








a * 


' 


460 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 


>■ 




1889 was practically the same as the shipments for the previous year, 
being 42,000,000 pounds. 

The following shows the receipts and shipments of the pork prod- 
ucts for 1889: 






Months. 


Pork, brls. 

i 


Bacon, lbs. 


Lard lbs. 






Rec's. 


Ship. 


Receipts. 


Shipments. 


Receipts. 


.Ship. 








100 


900| 
1,000 
3,775 
14.600 
6,625 
3,075l 
2,175| 
1,625' 
3,:300 
4150 
5.000 
1,800 


4,225,000 
3,180,000 
3,087,000 
3,995.500 
1,935,000 


22,531,200 
23,441,500 
17,313,750 
10,657,150 
19 366 600 


535,000 
150,000 
;375.000 
250.000 
475000 


4,560,.500 
4,389,000 
3,807.000 
2,189,600 
3,741,300 
4,430,.500 
4,752,.500 
2,943..500 
1,992,400 
1,949, .loo 
2,634,700 
4,800,000 






















270 
500 
250 
250 












June . . 

Julv 


825.00II jl. 1011. 5(10 !' 2.50,000 
3,375 000 'JO ."){•>:! (1110 ' 236.000 








3,190 uoo 2."i T:;!).50() 


50.000 
25,000 
250,000 
375,000 
50,000 










2,175,000 
2,4.50.000 
2,450.000 
2,000,000 


33.049,800 
20.:i68.800 
18.113,540 
20,800,000 






























Total, 1889 








1,370 


48,025 


30,777,500 


243,053,940 


2,901,000 


42,190,500 




J 


The volume of business done by the great packing-houses of this 
city was never heavier than during the first half of 1890. The figures 
representing the number of pou^nds of meats of various kinds shipped, 
which have been compiled from the daily reports of the railway com- 
panies, will appear somewhat startling to the average person unac- 
1 quainted with the magnitude of the packing and dressed-meat busi- 
ness in this city. 

The figures show that from January 1 to July 1, the shipments of 
meats of all kinds were approximately 265,190,000 pounds, as against 
260,385,000 pounds for the first half of 1889, an increase of about 
5,000,000 pounds. Not only has there been a decided gain in the 
volume of the shipments, but it is shown that the receipts of meats by 
rail from other points have been 6,785,000 pounds less than the 
receipts for the first half of last year. 

All of this shows a decidedly healthy tone of the meat market, and 
establishes the fact that Kansas City, Kas., is doing her share toward 
supplying the world with choicest meats. 

The following shows the aggregate receipts and shipments of the 
various articles of meat products for the six months ending June 30, 
1890: 




^ 






"V 





^ K 



!K 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



4C1 





Shipments. 


Beceipts. 




110,34.5,000 
325,000 
863,000 

129,620,000 
18,285,000 


40 000 










Bacon 

Lard 


13,600,000 
1,975,000 



Barreled pork.. 
Tallow , 



Total six months, 1890. 
Total si.\ months, 1889. 



Another startling thing in connection with this enormous meat 
trade is the number of animals required. The reports show that 657,- 
925 cattle were received at the stock-yards the first half of the year, 
and of these 233,878, or about forty per cent, were slaughtered here. 
Notwithstanding the receipts of hogs were 1,161,236, about ninety-six 
per cent of them, or 1,076,446, were killed in the local packing, 
houses. The following shows the total packing for six months: 



.Januar3' 

February 

March 

April 

May 

.June 

Total six months. 1890, 
Total six monlhs. 1889, 

Increase for 1890 



483,703 



191,689 
181,632 
■ 114,969 
160.067 
323,535 
204,571 

1,076,443 
925.874 

150,569 



The following shows the receipts of live stock at the stock yards 
during the half of the year: 





ISiX). 


1889. 


Increase. 




1,161.236 

657.925 

303,389 

19.106 

47,801 


1.154.184 

437,789 

185,500 

16,208 

37,242 


7 103 


Cattle 


230,136 
116,787 






2 898 


No. cars received 


10,559 



In this an enormous increase is shown in everything, which indi- 
cates that the present year business will be heavier than in any previ- 
ous year since the stock-yards were started. 



^I^:^ 



^ 



462 HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



Eighty-four thousand four hundred and thirty-four cars, a suffi- 
cient number for 4,221 trains of twenty cars each, making a string 
when linked together that would cover the main lines of the Wabash 
and Vandalia all the way from Kansas City to Richmond, on the eastern 
border of the State of Indiana, 578 miles distant— this is the size of 
the train that brought to Kansas City, the second live-stock market of 
the world, during the year 1889, 2,082,539 hogs, 1,229,401 cattle, 
309,645 sheep and 34,115 horses and mules. It was the banner year 
of the live-stock business in Kansas City. The receipts of cattle were 
173,375 more than the receipts of the previous year, an increase of 
sixteen and one-half per cent. The increased receipts of hogs over 
1888 was 74,000, or three and one-half per cent. In sheep the in- 
crease was about five per cent, the receipts being 18,000 larger than 
in 1888. Of horses and mules there were received in 1888 a total of 
34,115, which was 6,465 more than were received the previous year, 
the increase being nineteen per cent. 

The receipts of live stock at Kansas City since 1871, afford a very 
striking illustration, of the fact that this gigantic industry has kept 
an even pace with western civilization, in point of progress. It was 
argued years ago that the opening of the broad plains west of the 
Missouri River to settlement would be disastrous to the cattle inter- 
ests, but the result has been exactly the reverse. The farmers who 
took quarter sections of land as homesteads, went to raising cattle, 
and the volume of cattle on the Kansas City market has been increas- 
ing from year to year; and not only this, but the quality of beef cattle has 
also been improving. The swine industry has also grown wonderfully, 
all the conditions being quite favorable to breeding and fattening. 
The increase in the supply of hogs on the local market has been such 
that the entire receipts for the year 1877 did not amount to as much 
as the total receipts for the month of December, 1889. The sheep in- 
dustry is becoming a thing of great importance, and Southwestern 
farmers are not to be outdone in that line. Only a few years ago 
there were large shipments of horses to the West, but now Western 
jieople are sending them the other way, thus demonstrating the fact 
that the conditions for raising good horses and mules are as favorable 
in their country as east of the Mississippi River. 

The following shows the annual receijjts of all kinds of live stock 
fi'om 1871, up to and including the past year: 



^^ 



1^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



403 



Year. 


Cattle. 


Hogs. 


Sheep. 


Horses and 

Mules. 


Cars. 


1871 


120,837 
236.802 
227,689 
307,080 
174.754 
183-,378 
215.768 
175,344 
311,415 
344,709 
285,863 
439,671 
460,780 
533,536 
506.627 
490,971 
669 224 
1.056,086 
1,229,461 

7,669.975 


41,086 
104,639 

221,815 

312,532 

63,3,50 

153,777 

192,615 

437.777 

588,908 

676,477 

1,014,304 

963,036 

1,379,401 

1,723,586 

2,358,718 

2,264,484 

2.423,262 

2,008,984 

2,082,539 

18,901,270 


4,527 

6.071 

5,975 

8,855 

25,327 

55,045 

43,190 

36.700 

61,684 

511,611 

79,934 

80,724 

119,665 

237,964 

321,801 

172,659 

309,956 

351.050 

369,645 

2,140,373 


809 
3.648 
4,303 
3,679 
3,646 
5,339 
4,279 
10,796 
15.829 
14,086 
13,592 
11,716 
19,860 
27,163 
34.506 
33,188 
29,690 
27,650 
34,115 

284,793 


6,623 


1872 


13,110 


1873 


14,603 


1874 


13,370 


1875 


9.093 


1876 


11,692 


1877 


13,958 


1878 


16.583 


1879 


20,702 


1880 


22,704 


1881 

1882 


29.089 
34,668 


1883 


45,470 


1884 


55,227 


1885 


63,213 


1886 


58,924 


1887 


67,752 


1888 

1889 


74,666 
84,435 


Total 


655,882 



At no period ia the history of this country has the marketing of 
cattle been so heavy as in the year 1889. The receipts for the year 
were 1,229,461 head, as against 1,052,971 for 1888, and 609,224 for 
1887. At Chicago the receipts have shown an increase in the same 
proportion, while at Omaha, St. Louis and other cattle markets the 
receipts were largely in excess of the receipts of previous years. A 
casual review of the situation shows beyond doubt that there has been 
an immense overpro.luction for the past three or four years. The 
ranges in the ladian Territory, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wy- 
oming and Utah have been practically overran with cattle, while the 
farmers and feeders in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, and States 
east of the Mississippi River have had an immense supply. This has 
naturally created stormy competition between the "barn yard " cattle 
and the range cattle. As a result of this competition there has been a 
great depreciation in values. 

One of the most important features of the cattle market in Kansas 
City is the increased facilities for home consumption, the figures 
showing that nearly forty per cent of the cattle received were driven 
to the packing-houses in this city. In 1888 less than thirty-iive per 
cent of the receipts were consumed here, while in 1887 the consump- 
tion was only twenty-seven per cent. This has added greatly to the gen- 
eral tone of the local market, and the competition between buyers 
for the East and home packers has done much toward enabling the 



**1^<« 



^^ 



^1 




^ 



1 



cattle growers to secure better prices than they would under ordinaiv 
circumstances. 

As anticipated .by local dealers and packers a year ago, a more 
liberal supply of hogs has been noted the past twelve months. This 
is the natural result of better corn crops in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas 
and Nebraska, and more favorable conditions for breeding; and it is 
also taken as an indication that an even better supply will be had in 
1890. The partial failure of two corn crops in Kansas in JSS7 and 
1888 was a severe blow to the swine industry in that State, many new 
farmers who were just beginning to get a good start being compelled 
to dtspo.se of their brood stock for lack of food. The conditions, 
however, have improved wonderfully the past year, and it is gratify- 
ing to note that the swine industry is not only recovering from the 
serious backset, but Kansas is rapidly coming to the front as one of 
the leading hog-producing States. The opening for settlement of 
• the Oklahoma lands is looked upon as a very important move for Ihe 
swine industry; but anything like heavj- receipts from that section 
can not be expected until the new settlers get down to actual farming. 
Missouri can always be relied upon for a heavy output of hogs, and 
the returns show that Kansas City is getting a very fair percentage of 
the crop. One of the greatest movements is the increase of railway 
facilities, enabling large sections, that have heretofore been sending 
their products into other markets, to reach Kansas City. Particularly 
is this noticeable in the extension of the Kansas City, Wyandotte & 
Northwestern system, by which a very large portion of Southern and 
Western Nebraska is given access to the Kansas City market. The 
Missouri, Kansas & Texas system, by entering Kansas City, has done 
much to increase the live-stock trade. 

It is a noticeable feature of the Southwest that all the cattle and 
hog feeders tributary to this market are becoming convinced that in 
the long run thev can do better here with their offerings than to take 
them elsewhere. For a time the Omaha market was tried, but it was 
quickly found out that competition was not strong enough there for 
the purposes of bringing the highest available prices. During former 
years Chicago and St. Louis took a good portion of the live-stock 
west of here, but within a few years the stockman has changed his 
tactics and finds that Kansas City is a true friend to his interests, 
when sales year in and year out are taken into consideration. The 
average of prices, especially on hogs, during the past year has been 
higher than either at Chicago or at St. Louis. At times holders of cat- 



~f 



^1 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 465 



tie have beeu dissatisfied with offers made for their cattle at this point 
and have carried the same on to Chicago. Unless a professional buyer 
for both markets, these ventures have as a rule resulted disastrously to 
the party who cared to risk other markets. They have found that in the 
two days necessary to get to Chicago, for instance, prices have gone 
down or they have lost stock e» route, or shrinkage has been so great that 
they would be glad had they never made the attempt of bettering 
their condition. This is so much the case that the bulk of the cattle 
feeders have made up their mind to be satisfied with the prices that may 
hold here, which are oftentimes within a fraction of those at the more 
Eastern markets, and away ahead when cost of transportation and 
shrinkage is taken into consideration. It must not be overlooked that 
competition among local packers and dressed-meat men becomes each 
year sharper and sharper. The local houses are anxious to keep the 
best cattle right here, and are willing, frequently, to offer more than 
a fair market value might warrant. 

While other lines stand still, or at least make but a poor showing 
as compared to previous years, the total values of live stock handled 
at this point forge upward with mammoth strides. The past year 
has proven no exception to the rule. On every hand progress has 
been the rule. The management of the stock-yards has expended 
immense amounts of money to further the easy and convenient hand- 
ling of stock. Over twenty acres have been added to the stock- yards' 
domain, and every inch of available space has been filled with cattle 
and hog yards and loading and unloading chutes. The number of 
the latter at present in the yards is over 200. This enables incoming 
stock to be promptly handled with the least possible delay and also 
facilitates the quick shipments of those that may be sent on to 
the East. With the present accessories 6, 500 cattle can be unloaded 
within two hours, while three-quarters of that number can be loaded. 
Immense double-deck hog sheds have been constructed within the 
past year. These have proven most acceptable for the quick hand- 
ling of hogs. Beforetimes there was a good deal of complaint on 
the part of the buyers that they had to go all over the yards in order 
to find what they wanted, and when they had made purchases they de- 
clared they suffered losses an account of the long drives to their own 
private peas. Especially was this the case during the hotter days of 
summer. Now with the present system of double-deck pens, hogs 
may be examined from all sections of the country without the buyer 
or seller being compelled to go from under cover. When a fair ■ 



iJV 



purchase is made, the hogs are at once drivea to the pens beneath, 
and later, when the day's purchases are completed are sent to the dif- 
ferent packing-houses. This is one of the best features of the hog 
department of these yards, and is one that is enjoyed by no other 
yards in the land. All the yards and pens throughout the length and 
breadth of the yard are planked with cypress or oak, and are kept 
clean by a special gang of workmen employed for that purpose alone. 
Thus the cattle and hogs are kept as clean as possible, and the seller 
and buyer are not compelled to wade through mud or encounter 
heavy dust clouds at any time. Weighing scales are established at 
convenient p)oints in the yards of the most exact description, and 
special weighmasters who are expert in the business are employed to 
adjust measures. 




WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



46-; 



CHAPTER XXIY. 



Navigation of the Missouri and tue Kaw— Kansas Citv's Fa- 
vorable Location— The Advent of steamboats on the Mis- 
souiii— The Days of Pioneer :N'avi6ation—" Boating " Bkfoke 
THE War— Rival Lines— Exciting River Races— Old Boats 
AND Captains- First Discussion of Barge Navigation— Efforts 
AND Failures— The Movement Cuushed by the Panic of 1873 
—Revived Four Years Later— Barge Transportation Tried 
AND Found Feasible— Misfortunes and Antagonistic Influ- 
ences—River Improvement— Congressional Appropriations- 
Ill Advised Expenditures and Consequent Disappointment- 
Other Navigation Movements— Organization of the Kansas 
City and Missouri River Transportation Company— The Con- 
struction AND Arrival of the Mason, the State of Kansas 
AND THE State of Missouri -Benefits to Accrue from the 
Enterprise- An Enthusiastic Celebration- Part in it of 
Kansas City, Kas— Account of the Navigation of the Kan- 
sas River. 




ISTOEY teacbes that the great commeicial 
ceDters of civilization always lie in the paths 
of the great waterways of a country. Kan- 
sas City, Kas., lying in such a position, seems 
to have been located by its founders with an 
r^ especially^ acnte eye to its future greatness, 



E. M. Johnson 



"s*^^- for a boat set adrift on either the Missouri or 
Kaw seeks shore within the limits of this city. 

The navigation of the Missouri began in May, 1819, 
when the steamboat Independence ascended the stream 
from St. Louis to Council Bluffs. She passed Frank- 
n on May 28, where a dinner was given to her offi- 
cers on shore. Two years before, the first boat that 
plowed the waters of the Mississippi Eiver above 
Cairo, the General Pike, arrived at St. Louis. In 
August and September, 1819, the steamers Expedition, 
and Western Engineer navigated the Missouri Eiver 



^ 




468 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



as far as the mouth of the Yellowstone Kiver, having on board a scien- 
tific party and a number of soldiers, under command of Maj. Long, 
of the United States army. 

The advent of steamboats upon the Missouri, in 181'), caused public 
attention to be attracted to the vast stretches of fertile lands bordering 
upon the stream. Large numbers of the hardy inhabitants of Vir- 
ginia, Tennessee and Kentucky vyere attracted to Missouri by the 
glowing accounts they had received of it. Soon a number of little 
towns and trading posts were built upon the banks of the river. In 
1821 M. Chouteau established a trading post in the East Bottom oppo- 
site Randolph. In 1825 he was joined by his brother Cyprian. The 
following years a number of other Frenchmen and their families arrived 
and settled within the present limits of Kansas City. The Chouteaus 
were the agents of the American FiU' Company, and they soon estab- 
lished a large and profitable trade at this point with the Indians. The 
supplies and goods needed in their business by the Chouteaus were 
brought here, and the large quantities of furs annually purchased by 
them were shipped to St. Louis in steamboats. 

While Kansas City was still known as ' ' Chouteau' s warehouse, ' ' 
because of a building erected by M. Chouteau on the river front, the 
overland trade with New Mexico assumed vast proportions. Inde- 
pendence, Blue Mills and Fort Osage were for several years compet- 
itors for that trade. All the goods and provisions handled by them 
in fitting out trains were brought from St. Louis in steamboats. Blue 
Mills, which is situated six miles below Independence, soon became 
the favorite landing point for the boats. Independence, being the 
county seat and the large and more important place, became the 
headquarters of the Santa Fe trade as early as 1832. It held the bulk 
of the trade until 1848, when the trade was temporarily suppressed by 
order of President Santa Anna, of Mexico. Independence traders pre- 
ferred Wayne City as a landing point for the boats, but they could 
not induce the river men to abandon Blue Mills. 

In 1826 Louis Roy established the first ferry at this point. He 
ran a flatboat from the foot of Grand Avenue to Harlem. In order 
to provide better access to the ferry than existed at that time, he cut a 
road through the woods from near the corner of Fifteenth and Walnut 
Streets, Kansas City, Mo., to the river front. The road furnished, 
in later years, the means of reaching Westport by a short cut, and 
had much to do in diverting the great Santa Fe trade from Independ- 
ence and Blue Mills to Westport by way of " the Landing," which is 



»!V 



the Kansas City, Mo., of to-day. In 1837 and 1838 many of the 
Santa Fe traders began stopping at Westport, and naturally preferred 
to receive their goods at Westport Landing, only four miles distant, 
than wagoning them from Independence, twelve miles distant, and 
Blue Mills, eighteen miles distant. The restrictions imposed by Gen. 
Santa Anna upon the trade between New Mexico and the United 
States were considerably modified in 1844, and as Independence and 
Blue Mills had suffered a setback during the suppression of the 
trade, considerable of the business done by them was diverted to 
Westport and Westport Landing. After the Mexican War of 1845 
and 1846, Kansas City, which came into being in the latter year, 
began to do a share of the Santa Fe trade. A number of warehouses 
had been built in the new town, and their owners went into the Santa 
Fe trade extensively on their own account. It was at that time that 
the Missouri River traffic became an important factor in the commerce 
of that vast section of Uncle Sam's domain lying west of the Alle- 
ghany Mountains. 

The discovery of gold in California in 1849 gave an impetus to the 
business of "the Landing." Many overland parties for the new gold 
mines were fitted out there. They frequently came in boats and pur- 
chased their wagons, horses, mules, arms and ammunition, provisions 
and other supplies. In the meantime the Santa Fe trade prospered. 
The opening of Kansas and Nebraska to settlement also largely 
increased the travel upon and traffic business of the Missouri River 
steamboats. Opposite "the Landing," on the Kansas side, the set- 
tlement had begun which has resulted in the Kansas City, Kaa., of 
to-day, the largest and most important municipal and commercial point 
in the commonwealth. From 1850 until the beginning of the Civil 
War there was an average of six boats daily at the levee. In 1857 
there was a fleet of sixty through boats between St. Lotiis and Mis- 
souri River points. Over 75.000,000 pounds of merchandise came to 
Kansas City by boat that year. This point was then said by boatmen 
to be receiving more freight than any other five places on the river 
above St. Louis. In May, 1857, steamboats were employed in carry- 
ing the United States mails, which they did until superseded liy the 
railroads. In August, 1857, the Missouri River Packet Company 
made Kansas City its terminal point, and all freight for points higher 
up the river was transferred here to another line of boats, and tickets 
for travel on the stage lines were sold here. After the completion of 
the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad to St. Joseph March 1, 1859, a 



-^ 



4^ — ^ 






470 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



line of boats was put on the river between Kansas City and that city, 
as an extension of the shipping facilities of the road. 

Between 1850 and 1860 nearly all the business houses were along 
the river front. It was a busy and interesting scene when a steam- 
boat landed and everybody near by, on both sides of the States line, 
went down to the levee to see who had arrived and to drum up trade. 
It was not an uncommon thing for a boat to have between 300 and 
400 passengers on board, besides being weighted down to the water's 
edge with freight of all descriptions and horses, mules and oxen. 
Passengers frequently slept on the floors of the boats and on tables 
and in chairs. There was great competition between the officers of 
the different boats for passenger traffic, and they vied with each other in 
furnishing accommodations to and setting the tables for their cabin pas- 
sengers. It was a real luxury to travel on one of the old time Missouii 
River steamboats. Among the boats plying between St. Louis and Kan- 
sas City from 1847 to 1857 were the Admiral, Peerless, Sacramento, 
Cataract, John M. Converse, Morning Star, William Campbell, F. X. 
Aubrey, Sultan, Emma, Silver Heels, Star of the West, Minnehaha, 
Col. Crossman, Edinburgh, Ogden and Emigrant. Capts. Yore, 
Gonsollis, Baker, Kercheval, Wiaeland, Brierly, Shaw, Naason, Bart, 
Able, Burke, Bissell, Terrill and Boyd were noted river men and pio- 
neer commanders. 

The Lightning line was very popular. Its boats were the F. X. 
Aubrey, Polar Star, New Lucy, Tropic, Cataract and Australia. Then 
there was the People's line, the boats of which ran from St. Louis to 
and above St. Joseph. The other boats on the river belonged to com- 
peting lines. All boats in those days were owned by individuals and 
not by stock companies, as would seem. The owners would get 
together and form lines. The Lightning line boats carried the mail 
and ran in connection with the Missouri Pacific Railway to Jefferson 
City, where the road terminated. The boats ran to Weston, which is 
just above Fort Leavenworth. Weston was then the largest shipping 
point on the river above Kansas City. The boats also ran to St. Joe. 
In 1856 to 1860 there were at least fifty-seven boats in the Missouri River 
trade between St. Louis and Council Blufls. A number of boats ran 
through to Sioux City and Fort Benton. Some of the boats that ran 
in opposition to the Lightning line were the Peerless, Silver Heels, 
Minnehaha and Meteor. In the lower end of the river were a num 
ber of boats running to Miami, Cambridge and Glasgow. Among 
them were the Kate Swinney, Ben Lewis, Belle of St. Louis, C. W. 

Ig '3 ^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 471 



Sumbart, Soiithwester and Bacon. The William H. Russell ran sev- 
eral years before the war in the Missouri River trade. Capt. Joe 
Kinney, of Boonville, built and owned her, together with the Kate 
Kinney, Joe Kinney, Alice, St. Luke and other boats. 

The different boats were racing nearly all the time. They were 
all fast boats and every boat carried a band. Most of them had small 
brass cannon. When racing they would shoot across each other's 
bows with blank cartridges. When a boat got ahead of its rival its 
band would strike up a lively air. The bands also played going to 
and pulling ovit from a landing. Boats would jockey each other and 
crowd each other against the banks to avoid being beaten. Notwith- 
standing the great amount of racing indulged in there were but few 
accidents as a result. The races were against time, and were 
generally for a finely mounted pair of deer horns. The boat making 
the fastest time would take the horns and carry them upon her pilot 
house or at the guard rail under her bow. Big money was frequently 
Ijet upon races between boats by sports and river men. 

In those days all the boats were side -wheelers. The insurance 
companies did not consider stern-wheelers safe boats for the Missouri 
River. Afterward they learned that the stern- wheelers were the best. 
For big carriers and for cheap running they are the superiors of side- 
wheelers. 

Before the war the big shipments down the river consisted prin- 
cipally of hemp and tobacco. There was also considerable live stock 
shipped to St. Louis from Kansas City and other Missouri River points. 
Very little grain was shipped then. After the war jute took the place 
of hemp to a great extent, and it became unprofitable to raise hemp. 
The down river tralfic consisted of wheat, corn, oats and tobacco. The 
rapid settlement of Kansas and Nebraska caused the wheat and corn and 
oats and cattle and hog trade on the river to become immense. If the 
railroads had not come in with great reduction in the time of carrying 
freight, the navigation of the river would not have fallen off as it did. 
Boating on the river was practically suspended during the war. None 
but Grovernment transports were run at that time. In 1865 the 
trade revived, and a number of boats came back upon the river. In 
those days the Omaha line was started. The boats of that line had a 
big O between their chimneys. There were in the line the steamers 
Glascow, Columbian, Cornelia and Kate Kinney. They were all large 
sidewheelers. Their carrying capacity was 800 to 1,000 tons each. 
At that time there was also a line of steamers run ft-om St. Joseph to 



'-^ 



472 HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



Omaha, in connection with the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railway. From 
1870 to ]879 the boats of the Missouri Eiver Packet Company and 
Star Line ran to Kansas City, under the supervision of President E. 
W. Gould. The boats under his control were the Post Boy. Clara, 
Fannie Lewis, Alice, St. Luke, Joe Kinney, Gold Dust. David R. 
Powell, Bright Light, E. H. Durfey, Carroll, Ashland and a number 
of others. Then there was the Kansas City Electric Packet Company, 
organized by Capt. Hunter Ben Jenkins, which had the steamers 
Montana, Dacotah and Wyoming. They ran until 1887. when they 
were withdrawn from the Kansas City trade. The Montana was sunk 
at St. Charles bridge. The Dacotah and Wyoming were sold to go 
into the trade on other rivers. The three boats proved to be the best 
carriers on low water that were ever built for the Missouri River trade. 
Thev ran at high rates of speed, carried large cargoes and drew less 
water than any other boats that ran on the river. There have been 
no boats on the Missoirri River running to Kansas City since 1887. 
The A. L. Mason, State of Kansas and State of Missouri are modeled 
on the same order as the Montana. Dacotah and Wyoming, with such 
improvements as experience has shown were necessary in order to give 
them more speed and the greatest possible carrying capacity. 

During the nine months of navigation in 1857, the arrivals and 
departures of steamboats at Kansas City numbered about 1,500, which 
in 1873 had fallen off to 150. In 1883 there were not more than a 
dozen steamboats engaged in the Missouri River trade. 

Since the building of so many railroads, the navigation of the Mis- 
souri River up to and to points above Kansas City has been sub- 
stantially discontinued. The attempts to introduce river commerce 
have been more or less futile on account of the unnavigable condition 
of the Missouri; yet interested persons have persevered, the Govern- 
ment has aided, and success seems at last to have dawned. The need 
of these persistent efforts has existed in the fact that though there are 
numerous railways leading from the consumers and great markets of 
the East to the smaller markets and producers of the West, the rates 
for shipping the farmers' products to the Eastern markets, and goods 
back to the Western markets are exorbitant. It would seem that 
among so many railroads there would be competing lines, and they do 
sometimes compete in carrying passengers, but their competition in 
moving the commerce of the country seldom benefits or gives reasona- 
ble rates to the people in general. Railroad companies "pool " their 
interests or manage in some way to keep transportation rates very 



"T) "V 



high. Theyiiemand all or nearly all the difference between the actual 
cost of producing a bushel of grain in the West and its selling price in 
the East for carrying it to market, thus leaving the farmer little or no 
profit on his investment and labor. On the other hand they charge so 
much for carrying goods, groceries, and manufactured articles from the 
East that the farmers and consumers of the West have to pay exorbitant 
prices in order to allow the local merchants and salesmen a reasonable 
profit. The rule works both ways, and the transportation companies re- 
ceive and pocket the lion's share. This state of affairs has led the Western 
people, and especially of the two Kansas Cities, to look for relief from 
the oppression of monopoly by re-establishing navigation upon the 
Missouri to compete to some extent with the railroads. To this end 
the movement that has resulted in the organization of the Kansas City 
& Missouri River Transportation Company, with a subscribed capital 
stock of $130,000, by the people of Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas 
City, Kas., was inaugurated: the last and most fruitful to date of sev- 
eral of much historical interest. 

The history of the persistent and long-continued attempts of lead- 
ing citizens and capitalists to secure to the Kansas Cities the benefits 
of barge and other river navigation is interesting, not alone on account 
of its importance, but as illustrating the patient perseverance which 
characterizes many of the efforts which have been piit forth for the 
enhancement of local commercial interests. 

The idea originated with Hon. W. H. Miller, who first gave it pub- 
licity in an article which appeared editorially in the Kansas City 
Journal, on the 23d of April, 1872, during Mr. Miller's connection 
with that paper as commercial editor and writer. In this article it 
was urged that quick transit by rail, and the difficulty and uncer- 
tainty of navigating the river during the latter part of the summer, 
had rendered steamboating unprofitable; that this point was com- 
pelled to receive and ship its freight by the various railroads, and that 
although it was favorably situated in that respect, it could not offer 
the inducements necessary for the shipment of the products of the 
surrounding country, nor to merchants in neighboring towns to supply 
themselves here with what they wanted for their customers; that local 
advantages in freights east were not sufficient to render it entirely im- 
possible to load grain on the cars in Kansas, Nebraska, Western Mis- 
souri and Western Iowa, for the markets to which grain from Kansas 
City was shipped, and in consequence, the smaller places in the district 
named, having access to Kansas City railroads, became collecting 

30 






474- HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



centors for the grain around them, and shipped it direct to Eastern mar- 
kets; and that a barge line would remove these conditions, and for 
obvious reasons secure to Kansas City benefits such as could not ac- 
crue from any other enterprise. 

This article excited deep interest among the merchants, and was 
followed by others presenting more in detail the benefits it was pro- 
posed to secure. The Kansas City (Mo. ) board of trade took up the 
subject and referred it to a standing committee on internal im- 
provements. April 29 this committee addressed letters to Col. Octave 
Chanute, then superintendent of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Gal- 
veston llailroad, and Capt. James B. Eads, long foremost in engineer- 
ing enterprises in the West, Southwest and South, both of whom 
strongly favored the proposed measure, concurring in an opinion as to 
its feasibility and advantages. With the beginning of 1873 there was 
a more determined effort made to secure barge navigation, and it was 
proposed to put the matter to a practical test. A committee was ap- 
pointed to ascertain if barges could be secured, and if so, what guar- 
antee would be required. Correspondence with the Mississippi Valley 
Transportation Company, of St. Louis, then the only users of barges 
on the Western rivers, elicited but little satisfaction, but a subscription 
guarantee of $5,000 was provided for. 

About this time St. Louis parties were arranging for a convention 
of Western congressmen to be held in that city May 13, to awaken a 
more general interest among them in the improvement of Western 
rivers. Kansas City was invited to send delegates, and the board of 
trade appointed a committee to attend. Mr. Miller was one of the 
delegates, and during his three-days' stay in St. Louis he wrote and 
secured the publication in the St. Louis Globe of three editorial arti- 
cles on barge navigation and transportation on the Missouri from a 
St. Louis point of view, favoring it as a St. Louis enterprise. Other 
St. Louis papers, which had a year before ridiculed the idea, now 
commended it, and the Kansas City press, which (the Journal excepted) 
had opposed the enterprise, now fell into line and urged the movement 
already on foot to secure a practical test. 

A contract was soon afterward effected with the Mississippi Valley 
Transportation Company, to make a trial trip on a guaranty of $2, 700. 
It was proposed to load the barges with grain. The season of the year 
was unfavorable, 'and grain was so scarce that it was only with Consid- 
erable difficulty that a cargo was secured; and no sooner had this ob- 
ject been attained than it was found impossible to secure proper in- 



^^ 




^ 



surance of the grain, and its owners refusing to assume the risk them 
selves, the project was necessarily abandoned. 

After this failure, came the panic of 1873, which crippled enter- 
prise for some years, and it was not until 1877 that another important 
movement to secure barge transportation was made. On March 10 of 
that year, at a meeting of grain merchants, the subject was referred 
to a committee who conferred with the Great Ceutrul Dispatch Com- 
pany, which proposed to put barges on the river. But nothing came 
of the effort. On the evening of January 17, 1878, a meeting was 
held, at which a committee was appointed to further the barge naviga- 
tion project, for the grain business had now attained such proportions 
that the absolute necessity of this facility was quite generally admitted. 
This committee reported at another meeting held two days later, rec- 
ommending the organization of a Kansas City Company, with a cap- 
ital of $50,000, to own and operate liarges. This proposition was so 
favorably received that $4,500 was subscribed at 6Qce. Resolutions 
were adopted, asking Congress for appropriations to remove snags and 
other obstructions from the river channel, and a committee of twenty 
was appointed to place the stock of the company. This committee 
met on the 2Gtb and perfected plans, and on the 23d a large public 
meeting was held at the Board of Trade rooms in Kansas City, Mo. 
The committee of twenty had placed about 20,000 shares of the stock 
and secured promises to take about 10,000 additional shares, when the 
bank suspensions of 1878 occurred, after which further progress was 
impossible. But, it seeming probable that the balance of the stock 
could be placed during the spring, at a public meeting held on Feb- 
ruary 12, the subscribers decided to proceed with the organization of 
the company, and a committee was appointed to prepare the neces- 
sary papers. On the 14th the company elected directors. 

Finding it impossible in the existing state of financial affairs to 
place the remainder of the stock, the company never tiled its papers, 
but it partly accomplished its objects in another way. A committee 
went to St. Louis to see if barges could be obtained. They could buy 
none, but they came in contact with the Babbage and Mississippi Val- 
ley Transportation Companies, both of which became so interested in 
the iiroject, that they sent fleets of barges to Kansas City that year. 
The first of these fleets to arrive was that of the Mississippi Valley 
Transportation Company, consisting of the steamer Grand Lake and 
three barges. It left Kansas City for St. Louis July 5, taking out 
83,540 bushels of wheat, and though hampered by some inconven- 



^^^^^^ 



-^ 




iences, made the trip in safety. The next fleet was the first of the 
Babbage Transportation Company, which consisted of the steamer A. 
J. Baker and three barges, which made three trips during the season, 
leaving this point July 27, carrying 62,038 bushels of corn; August 
12, carrying 50,938 bushels of corn, and August 31, carrying 44,198 
bushels of wheat; all three trips proving highly successful. The costs 
of the freight to the shipper by these barges was d^ cents per bushel, 
including insurance, the railway rates being about 8 cents per bushel 
on corn and 13 on wheat. It cost the barge companies aboiit 2|- 
cents a bushel to carry the grain to St. Louis, and it was esti- 
mated that grain could thus be carried from Kansas City to New 
Orleans at a cost to shippers of 7 cents per hundred weight, and 
afFord a fair profit to the carriers, which facts and deductions were 
accepted as proof of the availability of barge transportation on the 
Missouri. 

Early in 1879 Congress was memorialized on the improvement of 
the Missouri River. In May a party of United States engineers ar- 
rived in Kansas City and began work on the improvements of the river 
a few miles north of the city, an appropriation of $30, 000 having been 
secured for that purpose, but the navigation of the Missouri by barges, 
which had been so successfully begun in the preceding year, was 
abandoned because of the railroad war, which temporarily reduced 
railway freight transportation to a cost less than even barges could 
afford. Before this occurred, however, the Star packet line had 
made arrangements to run one barge with each packet, and other par- 
ties had caused a tug and tow to be built especially for the Missouri 
River trade. 

Near the close of the year 1880 a barge-line company was organ- 
ized in Kansas City, with a capital of $100,000, and one boat and four 
barges were purchased for the Missouri River traffic of the ensuing 
year, but, owing to causes purely commercial, the barge fleet was not 
put in operation on the Missouri, but it was employed on the Missis- 
sippi, and held in readiness for transfer to the Missouri, whenever its 
use should be demanded. Growing out of this revival of the move- 
ment for barge navigation, was an interest in the subject which resulted 
in a meeting of people of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa, at 
Kansas City, in September, 1880, to discuss the improvement of the 
river by Congressional appropriation. In October, 1881, a general 
river- improvement convention was held in St. Louis, which was par- 
ticipated in by Kansas City and the whole Missouri Valley, and in No- 



"^-^ 



►Pv" 



^ ^ — ^ ^ — ^i^. 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 477 



vember another convention, specially in the interest of the improve- 
ments of the Missouri River, was held at St. Joseph, which was largely 
attended and very enthusiastic. In pursuance of the vote of this con- 
vention, a delegation was sent to Washington to present the subject 
and urge upon Congress a large appropriation in bulk for that part of 
the river between Sioux City and St. Louis. The result of this effort 
was the adoption by Congress of the policy urged, and the voting of 
an appropriation of §850,000 for the part of the river specified. This 
delegation was composed of Kansas City men. Early in 1882 the 
hitherto disjointed and independent efforts of different localities for river 
improvement became united in one general movement, and a commit- 
tee was appointed by the co-operation of the different commercial ex- 
changes in the Mississippi Valley, known as the Executive Committee 
on the Improvement of Western Waterways, under the auspices of 
which subsequent efforts were made. Kansas City was from the first 
ably represented in this committee. In 1882 the barge company, hav- 
ing met with misfortune in the operation of its barges on other rivers, 
and in the death of CajDt. Poe, upon whom much dependence was 
placed, resolved to sell its barges and withdraw from the business. 

It was believed by those interested in the movement for river im- 
provement that later appropriations would be obtained if the people 
were vigilant, and the desired improvements ultimately secured and 
barge transportation on an extensive scale be assured, but substan- 
tially nothing was done to this end during 1883. Although a large 
appropriation had been secured from the last Congress for this pur- 
pose, given in bulk for that section of the river between St. Louis and 
Sioux City, in place of all local appropriations which it had been the 
previous practice of Congress to grant, there was done scarcely enough 
work on the river to maintain improvements previously made iipon 
local appropriations, a condition of things due chiefly to the fact that 
the engineer in charge regarded the appropriation made as a com- 
mittal of the government to the policy he had recommended in making 
large general appi-opriations; and not having the machinery and appli- 
ances on hand to make an economical use of so considerable a sum, 
he expended the bulk of it in procuring the requisite plant upon which 
to carry forward improvements rapidly and economically under the 
expected future appropriations. He and the public were disappointed, 
however, by the failure of Congress at its next session to make any 
appropriation whatever; hence he had no funds in hand for the actual 
improvement of the river. 



^^=^^ ^=.fr 



J^l 



478 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



At this time ptiblic interest in river improvements was stronger 
than ever before, and it was hoped that the next and future Congresses 
would take liberal action toward insixring the desired result. An ap- 
propriation secured in 1884 was disbursed in the improvements of Kaw 
Bend; another granted in 3886 was expended on Quindaro Bend. 
There have been no appropriations since, and beyond local work, noth- 
ing has been done toward the improvement of the river. The con- 
dition of the Missouri is so unfavorable to barge navigation that it is 
estimated that $10,000,000 will be required to pay for sufficient work 
to make it practicable between St. Louis and Sioux City, but contin- 
uous and well-directed effort will surely yet accomplish this object so 
long desired and so earnestly striven for. The organization of another 
barge line is being agitated, and the newspapers of the two Kansas 
Cities and other places in the valley are advocating another "River 
Convention," to be held at this point during the coming fall. The 
following is from the Kansas City Times: "Doubts that an enthu- 
siastic and representative gathering from Missouri River cities can be 
convened in Kansas City in the autumn to consider the question of 
river improvement, and urge liberal action upon Congress, have been en- 
tirely dissipated, if any ever existed, to judge from the cordial unanim- 
ity with which the suggestion of the Times has been seconded by lead- 
ing citizens in all walks of commercial and professional life. Organi- 
zation and action alone are now needed to carry forward the idea to a 
successful consummation." 

Commenting on this paragraph, the Jefferson City Times said: 
"The suggestion made by the Times will meet with hearty appi'oval. 
Every town interested will send representatives to the meeting, and no 
doubt Senators Vest and Cockrell and Ci^ngressmen Bland, Tarsney, 
Heard, Norton and others would be delighted to attend. Some unity 
of action is badly needed. Heretofore scarcely any two Congressmen 
have agreed as to what Ihe river needs. The people must become 
familiar with the Missouri River and learn each other' s views. ' ' 

In all of those efforts the people of Kansas City, Kas., were from 
the first vitally interested, and nobly they did their part. Though 
doomed to repeated disappointments, they have never been disheart- 
ened. If the Missouri could not be successfully navigated between 
St. Louis and Sioux City, that fact furnished no argument why it 
should not be successfully navigated between St. Louis and Kansas 
City, and as early as October, 1888, the movement had its inception 
which has resulted, with the co-operation of citizens of the two Kansas 



^ 



-4r<' 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 479 



Cities, in the steamboat triumph of 1890. At that time Capt. Rnxton laid 
before F. S. Treadway, then superintendent of transportation of the 
Armour Packing Company, the idea of a line of packets on the Mis- 
souri River. Such a line he believed would pay, and would cheapen 
the cost of transportation for Kansas City merchants very materially. At 
the next Commercial Clab meeting the subject was brought up by Mr. 
Treadway, but only one gentleman was found at that time who favored 
the project. The matter was worked up quietly, however, and it was 
determined to undertake to secure a line of boats by raising stock 
among the business men who had large shipments. The first idea was 
to buy two boats, the Wyoming and Dakota, then tied up at St. Louis, 
and equip them for the service. By considerable effort .13,500 was 
secured, with the idea of putting it into the boats to get their owners 
to put them on the Missouri River run. By the time the money was 
raised, however, the owners had become tired of waiting, and one boat 
had been sold for a railroad transfer and the other had been sent 
South, where profitable business was found for it. Then the amount 
subscribed was raised to $7,000, with the idea of buying an old boat 
and equipping her for the trade. However, it was decided that this 
scheme would prove unprofitable, as a boat large enough to affect busi- 
ness could not be secured for ihat price. 

In May, 1889, the idea of raising enough to purchase two new 
boats was taken up, and Mr. Treadway resigned his position with the Ar- 
mour Packing Company to take charge of the enterprise and to at- 
tempt to raise the money. The projectors of the enterprise decided 
that^$75,000 would be necessary, but that they had best ask for $100,- 
000 in order to secure enough. The ground was gone all over again, 
most of the work of soliciting being done by Mr. Treadway. S. B. 
Armour, who had originally pledged $500, was persuaded to raise his 
subscription to $5,000, and W. E. Winner and Capt. Ruxton agreed 
to put in $2,000 each. The work was prosecuted very quietly and 
with indifferent success until the 1st of August, when the newspapers 
were interested, and began to boom the project. Much effective work 
was done by them, and a very healthy public interest was awakened in 
the proposed line, which bore good fruit afterward. 

In this condition the matter was, when the Commercial Club re- 
sumed its meetings last fall, and with its characteristic energy took 
the project up and pushed it. The subject of water transportation 
was chosen as one of the subjects of early attention by President 
Faxon and the board, and at the first meeting, held September 8, Mr. 



?|V 



480 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



E. H. AUea spoke of its importance, dwelling on the arguments in 
favor of water transportation adduced at the Western Waterways' 
Convention, held in Cincinnati during the summer, which he had at- 
tended. At a meeting of the club, held a couple of weeks afterward, 
Mr. Treadway read a paper detailing what had been done in the ef- 
fort to secure boats for the river, and discussing the feasibility of se- 
curing sufficient subscriptions to build new boats. 

At a meeting of the club held October 22, 1889, the movement to 
establish a line of freight boats on the Missouri River was brought up 
for consideration by J. C. James. Several members spoke on the sub- 
ject, all strongly favoring the formation of a joint stock company of 
$100,000 for the purchase and operation of two steamers built specially 
for the river. A motion was introduced and adopted, providing for 
the appointment by the chair of a committee of twenty to jaromote the 
speedy formation of a company. This committee commenced work 
the very next day. 

On October 28 a meeting of the Commercial Exchange was held, at 
which President E. H. Allen appointed a committee to solicit sub- 
scriptions for the line, and the next day a joint meeting of the two 
committees was held in the Commercial Club rooms. G. F. Putnam 
was elected chairman and F. T. Treadway, secretary, and it was de- 
cided to assign different members of the committee to different lines of 
business in which to work for subscriptions. The next day the mem- 
bers got out and began active work so effectively that by the 5th of 
November, when a meeting was held to report progress, about $30,000 
had been raised. At the request of the committee, the meeting of 
November 19 was made an open one for the consideration of the boat 
line project. At this meeting a large delegation of citizens of 
Kansas City, Kas. (members, many of them, of the board of trade of 
this city, and the Kaw Valley Commercial Club), who were interested 
in water transportation, were present. Mr. A. L. Mason was called 
upon and made some vigorous remarks on the importance of raising 
the necessary funds, stating that in his belief .$130,000 should be 
raised to equip the company. The subscription committee reported 
that $15,450 had bean raised, and at the meeting $6,550 more was 
subscribed, part of it being pledged by the Kansas City, Kas., repre- 
sentatives, by R. W. Hilliker, who was their spokesman. 

November 23 another mass meeting was held in the Commercial 
Club rooms, when the avowed purpose was to raise the $100,000 before 
adjournment. Speeches were made by prominent business men of both 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 481 



cities. Joseph CaliD, vice-president of the club, wlio was in the chair, 
then called for subscriptions, and the necessary amount was raised, 
Bishop Ussher having the honor of subscribing the last $100, when it 
was found that the actual sum subscribed was |!25 in excess of the 
$100,000 asked for. Embodying Mr. Mason's previously expressed 
opinion, it was declared the sense of the club that the committee con- 
tinue its work until the amount of $130,000 be raised, so that the 
packet line coiild, if thought expedient, purchase three boats. A 
meeting of the soliciting committee was held November 26, when it was 
decided that the organization of the subscribers to the stock of the 
packet line should be made on the following Saturday night, and a 
committee was appointed to arrange a plan of organization to be sub- 
mitted that night. 

Meanwhile, on November 18, a communication had been addressed 
to Mr. A. L. Mason, by a large number of the subscribers of stock, 
asking him to accept the presidency of the line, and Mr. Mason im- 
mediatel}' accepted the trust. His decision to became so prominently 
identified with the project had an important bearing on its ultimate suc- 
cess, and aided very greatly in the work of raising the necessary funds. 
At the meeting held in the Commercial Club rooms, Saturday evening, 
November 30, $10,500 more was raised, and the subscribers completed 
their organization, under the name of the Kansas City & Missouri 
River Transportation Company. 

The company began preparation for the building at once. A com- 
mittee of three was sent East, to look into the subject of building the 
boats. The company found that it had $114,000 at its disposal, but 
as three boats, which number was deemed necessary for the amount of 
business which the line would secure, would cost $110,000, it was de- 
cided to raise the balance of the $130,000, a margin of $20,000 being 
considered necessary to stai't the line. A committee of stockholders 
now took hold of the subscription, relieving the Commercial Club's 
committee, which, however, coniinued to lend its aid. Mr. Mason, who 
had already sub.scribed $5,500, agreed to make up any deficiency which 
should exist at the close and to contribute his services for the first year 
gratis. The committee of three, before returning home, made con- 
tracts for the building of the three boats, the members giving their 
personal guarantee for the payment of the money. The contract 
was let to the Madison Marine & Railway Construction Company, of 
Madison, Ind. Fifty per cent of the stock subscribed was immediately 
called in. In January it was found that the whole of the $130,000 



^-^ 



w- 



482 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



had been raised, and the company was formally incorporated in Feb- 
ruary with the directors and officers chosen in November. 

By the terms of the contract with the builders, the first boat was 
to have been launched April 1, the second a month later, and the 
third thirty days after that. The work was so delayed that the first 
steamer, which had been named by the directors the A. L. Mason, in 
honor of the president, was not launched until May 30. The two 
other boats will be known respectively as the State of Kansas and the 
State of Missouri. 

The arrival of the A. L. Mason, with her first cargo of freight, 
July 8, was a matter of great commercial importance to Kansas City. 
The object of the establishment of the line was to secure the advan- 
tage of water competition in freight rates. There are many classes of 
freight which will not be in the least affected, because the matter of 
time is the most important with them, and merchants will not ship by 
water, even at cheaper rates. There are other larger classes of freight, 
and perhajjs the most important in their relations to business, which 
will be materially affected. Those cities which have water competition 
have always an advantage over their neighbors in the matter of rates. 
It must necessarily be so, for, in the laws which govern them, rates are 
the same as all other commodities men offer for sale. First in consid- 
eration will come the rates on grain and food products. The question 
of grain rates from the Missouri River, and beyond to the seaboard, is 
an imjKirlant one. for on the rates which are established depends the 
prices which Western farmers receive for their crops. The railroads 
seem inclined to adhere to the position taken, that the rates they have 
established are low enough, though they are continually furnishing 
arguments against their position by making concessions in the matter 
of rates to large shippers, or to their own special friends. The Farm- 
ers' Alliance of Kansas has taken the matter up and asked the State 
railroad commissioners to order their roads to reduce rates to the Mis- 
souri Kiver. So far the commissioners have not seen their way to or- 
der the reduction, but perhaps their eyes will be opened to the justice 
of the demand when they see the effect of the packet line on Kansas 
City as a market. That there will be no great change effected this 
year is probable, as the railroads will very likely let the boats carry 
what freight they can, but those who are fortunate to load her will be 
able to take advantage of the market and to get their grain to the sea- 
board at a difference in rates which will leave them a very handsome 
margin of profit. The Kansas City & Missouri River Transporta- 



'■ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 483 



tion Company will not be able to carry more than one-tenth of the 
grain of this market, even when running at the full capacity of its 
boats, but by the laws of commerce the rates on that one-tenth and 
the prices it will bring at the end of the route will fix the rates and 
prices for the other nine-tenths which go by rail. The roads will feel 
the argument of facts by another year, if they do not this. Should 
the Inter- State Commerce Commission decide that the present rate of 
30 cents on grain and grain products from the river is excessively 
high, and should the roads, as they threaten, make trouble about carry- 
ing out the order, the commission will find in the packet line a very 
strong aid; the logic of the river rates will be a very strong argument 
to persuade the roads to their views. The effect of the redistribution 
of values, which may be confidently looked for, will be to make grain 
worth a cent a bushel more to the Kansas farmer, and to establish for 
him a market near at home on the Missouri Kiver, where he may get 
quicker returns in money for his crops. Pig iron is another class of 
freight on which rates will be affected by the river line. At present 
the railroads are charging higher rates on pig iron from points in 
Alabama than they are from Chicago, which is the same distance away, 
and are classing this point with Omaha, 200 miles farther on. A little 
Missouri water may cure them of their shortsightedness. Anthracite 
coal will also be reduced in price by the river line, for coal can be sent 
all the way by water now, at a great saving in the rates of transporta- 
tion, and every dollar taken off the cost of carrying will reduce the 
price of coal that much to the consumer. 

There are many other similar benefits which a well-patronized boat 
line will bring. They must not all be looked for with the arrival of 
the first boat, nor within a week or a month, but as soon as the line 
can establish its business the benefits will come. A little patience is 
needed, and the merchants of Kansas City by another season will be 
convinced that the money they have subscribed to the packet line has 
been well invested. 

It was 5:30 p. m. when the Mason approached Kansas City. From 
the high bluff that overhangs the Missouri levee, a short distance 
below the Hannibal bridge, a battery of artillery at 5:40 that gala 
afternoon, gave the signal of welcome. Fifteen thousand people saw 
the gallant vessel coming around the bend in the river, and while 
shouting themselves hoarse and waving a greeting to her, watched the 
Mason move majestically up to the wharf, and at 6:15 she was at 
a standstill. " Never in the history of the two Kansas Cities," accord- 



"B \ " 



^: 



^^ 



484 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



ing to a local paper, " has any stroke of public enterprise been re- 
ceived with such popular demonstration as the reception given to the 
lirstof the Kansas City & Missouri River Transportation Company's fleet 
of steamers. When the Mason touched the v?harf, the crowd broke for 
it with a wild whoop, and desjjile the efforts of an army of policemen, 
the people rushed aboard with a yell of delight, and proceeded at 
once to make themselves at home, while the immense throng that 
couldn't get aboard remained on the banks and kept up the noisy wel- 
come." A large body of the citizens of Kansas City, Kas. , went 
down to Liberty Landing and took the trip back on the Mason. Hon. 
R. W. Hilliker was called upon for a speech. He said that he could 
hardly realize that the talk of last winter had already taken shape in 
a " real live" boat and that he was a guest upon it. He said that 
the enterprise must inevitably help both cities. It was the biggest 
thing the two cities ever had, next to the building of the bridge. He 
promised that when the steamer "State of Kansas" arrived, every 
State official, from Gov. Humphrey down, would be present to welcome 
her, for the State appreciated this honor done in christening one of 
the boats after her. Mayor Coy said that in congratulating the pro- 
moters of this enterprise upon their success, he but voiced the senti- 
ment of his common council, his people and the business men gener- 
ally of Kansas City, Kas. His city owed much to the successful com- 
pletion of this line of boats, and he predicted that it would work 
wonders for Kansas City, Kas. He urged business men to patronize 
the new line not only for their own profit, but for the profit of the 
company. Money could be made, he argued, by shipping freight 
over this line. He was firmly convinced that it would prove a pay- 
ing investment. Among the Kansas Kansas City-ites present were: 
Mayor W. A. Coy; Councilmen W. H. Norton, G. C. Eaton, R. W. 
Hilliker, James A. Young, James Sullivan, Harvey Allen, D. W. 
Troup, W. A. Pyle, J. L. Jones, F. M. Tracy, City Clerk Benjamin 
Schnierle, Nelson Garcelon, W. B. Taylor, William Albright, J. D. 
Cruise, George W. Martin, Will Holcomb, W. H. Bridgens, G. H. 
Parsons, Charles Simpson, Fred Maegley, Samuel Hortsman, Ben 
Freidberg. E. S. W. Drought, W. H. Ryus, Chester Bullock, W. W. 
Haskell, D. B. Hadley, John Arthur, I. La Grange, O. K. Serviss, 
George Stumpf. 

The arrival of the State of Kansas, a little later, was distinctively 
a "Kansas day" and the arrival, in due time, of the State of Mis- 
souri, was signalized by a burst of enthusiasm from the people over the 

c) I - la ,, 




state liue; bat the day of the arrival of the Mason was the "great 
day." That event was first, and possessed all the attributes of 
novelty. It recalled the early days when steamboating was in its 
prime in the West and everything clustered about and everything 
happened on the levee. 

The earliest boats that navigated the waters of the Kaw, aside from 
the primitive canoes used by the Indians, were the "keel boats "' in- 
troduced by the Chouteaus. One of the brothers, Fred, established a 
trading-house in 1830 among the Kaws at Mission Creek. He ob- 
tained his goods from his brother's establishments at the mouth of the 
Kaw, and brought them up the river in these keel boats in August, 
returning the next spring loaded with peltries, which he shipped from 
Kansas City to St. Louis by steamboat. The boats were rib- made, 
shaped like the hull of a steamboat and decked over. The width 
across the deck was usually eight or ten feet and the depth below five 
or six. They were rigged with one mast, a rudder and four rowlocks 
on each side. Mr. Chouteau states that in going up the river they av- 
eraged about fifteen miles a day, pulling all the time, and that on their 
return trips, the water being generally low, they were sometimes a month 
from Mission Creek to the mouth of the river, but in favorable times 
had gone down in a day. The boats were manufactured in St. Louis 
and used on the Kaw only by the Chouteaus. The pioneers of steam- 
boat navigation on the Kansas River were Capt. Baker and C. A. Perry, 
owners, and the former was captain of the little steamer Excel, which 
made several trips to Fort Riley in the spring and summer of 1854 to 
deliver Government freight. The June trips of the steamer extended 
some forty miles up the Smoky Hill. The Excel was a stern-wheel 
steamer and rather too long for river navigation. The return June 
trip from Fort Riley to the mouth of the river was made in twenty- 
four hours. The first steamer that made a landing at Lawrence and 
Topeka was the Emma Harmon, Capt. J. M. Wing. This boat, which 
was a stern-wheel steamer, with two engines of 180-horse power, left 
Lawrence on May 21 for Fort Riley, but only ventured as far up as 
Topeka, which place was reached six days after leaving Lawrence. 
Capt. Wing, after this experiment, decided to extend his trips no 
farther up the river than Lawrence. The financier left Lawrence for 
Fort Riley about the same time with the Emma Harmon. She was 
detained by sand bars between Douglas and Tecumseh, but finally 
passed up to Topeka, where she received some of the freight of the 
Emma Harmon and continued, up the river towart the fort. Capt. 



^ 



'^ 



486 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Morrison, of the Financier, also became discouraged in consequence of 
the extreme difficulty of navigating the Kansas. The Hartford ar- 
rived from Cincinnati the same month (May, 1855.) with passengers 
and freight for Junction City. The boat grounded at Manhattan, and 
after remaining there a week for a rise in the river, sold out freight 
to the Manhattanites and started dov^n the river. When opposite St. 
Mary's the boat took tire from prairie tires and was destroyed. The 
Hartford advertised rates between Kansas City and Lawrence at 75 
cents per hundred for freight and $4 for passengers up, and 13 for 
passengers down the river. A part of the machinery of the Hartford 
was recovered in 1809, and buried on the shore, it being impracticable 
in the low stage of water to take it down the river. The Minnie Bell, 
of Pittsburg, made several trips up and down the river in 1858. In 
1859 the steamer Silver Lake, Capt. Willoughby, made several trips, 
once going as far up as Junction City. The Calona, Otis Webb and 
the Col. Gus Linn, Capt. Beasly, also made trips to the same point, 
the two latter unloading and taking on freight at Topeka. In the fall 
of the same year, Capt. Nelson, of Wyandotte, made a trial trip in his 
new steamer Star of the West, but unfortunately got aground at Le- 
compton and was obliged to remain there all winter. In June, 1860, 
the Kansas Valley, Capt. Nelson, lauded freight at the levee at Te- 
cumseh. The boat drew only nine inches of water and could navigate 
the Kaw if any steamboat could. In the spring of 1861 the Kansas 
Valley entered the "relief service." She started from Atchison on 
her last trip of this nature with a forty-ton cargo, part of which was 
landed at Topeka, March, 1861, at the foot of Kansas Avenue. This 
cargo was stored in the storehouse at the corner of Sixth Avenue and 
Jackson Street, known to Topekans of that period as the "Bean 
House." The last steamboat on the river was run by Capt. E. Hens- 
ley, of Leavenworth, for a short time between Lawrence and Topeka. 



^-. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 487 



*^3I06RAPHICAL.= 



John E. Adams is foreman of the pickle cellar for the Kansas City 
Packing Company, and although born in Belfast, Ireland, March 25, 
1826, he has been a resident of the United States, and a subject of 
"Uncle Sam" since 1848. His parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Rich- 
ardson) Adams, were also born in Ireland, and there the mother died, 
when the subject of this sketch was a lad about fourteen years of age. 
His early life was spent in a packing-house in his native land, and 
since his ninth year he has been familiar with this business, having 
worked at it every year since that time, with the exception of the- year 
that he was fifteen years of age, when he followed the sea. At the age 
of twenty-one years he came to America, to seek his fortune, and during 
the winter of 1848-49 was employed in a packing-house at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, but in the latter year he removed to St. Louis, which place con- 
tinued to be his home until 1884, working during this time for the pack- 
ing firm of Henry Aiues & Co., of St. Louis, thirteen years, and later 
for Robert McAllister, Francis "Whittaker, John J. Roe, Thomas Stanton 
and Bassett & Lincoln, a goodly portion of this time acting as foreman. 
He finally, in 1881, entered the employ of Morris, Butt & Co., and has 
remained with them ever since, the firm name being changed to the 
Kansas City Packing Company. In 1884 he was transferred from 
St. Louis to Kansas City, since which time he has been foreman of the 
pickle cellar at this place. Mr. Adams is honorable and strictly up- 
right in all his dealings, and has always proved himself a valuable 
man to his employers and an acquisition to the cities in which he has 
resided. His marriage to Miss Ann Ingram took place in 1844, but 
she died in 1857, after having borne three children: Eliza Jane, 
James and William H. In 1859 Mr. Adams married Miss Elizabeth 
RobisoD, who died in 1875, leaving one child, Margaret, and in 1880 
was married to his present wife, Bridget Cunniss. Mr. Adams is a 
stanch Democrat in his political views. 

H. L. Alden, the senior member of the law firm of Alden, McCrew 
& "Watson, is closely identified with the growth and prosperity of the 
county, and particularly of Kansas City, Kas. He is a native of 






488 HISTORY or kansas. 



Massachusetts, having come to this State in the fall of 1867, when 
but twenty years of age, and settled in Wyandotte (now Kansas City, 
Kas.), where he has resided since that time. His literary education 
was received at Monson Academy, Monson, Mass., and at Kimball 
Union Academy, Meriden, N. H. He was engaged in teaching for 
two years before coming to Kansas, as principal of an academy in 
Pennyslvania, and during the first year of his residence here he had 
charge as teacher of the city schools, after which he entered the law 
office of Hon. Stephen A. Cobb, and actively commenced the study 
of law. He was admitted to practice in the courts of the State, in 
April, 1870, since which time he has been actively engaged in the 
practice of his chosen profession, and by his energy, close application 
and devotion to the interests of his clients, has gained the confidence 
of the public, and for years has stood in the front rank of the pro- 
fession in the State. Soon after his admission to the bar, he formed 
a partnership with his former preceptor, which association continued 
until Mr. Cobb's death in 1878. In 1879 Mr. Alden formed a partner- 
ship with Henry McCrew, which has continued up to the present time. 
George B. Watson, the other partner, joining said partnership Janu- 
ary 1, 1887. In the management of his eases, Mr. Alden has achieved 
unusual success. He is a profound student and a fluent speaker, and 
his intelligent, broad views on all matters of public interest has made 
him one of the county's most highly respected and esteemed citizens. 
He is a lineal descendant of John Alden, of the " Mayflower," the first 
to land on Plymouth Rock and immortalized by Longfellow in his 
poem of "The Courtship of Miles Standish."' Mr. Alden is a Re- 
publican, and has always taken quite an interest in politics, and has 
held several positions of honor and trust. He was city clerk of the 
city of Wyandotte during the year 1869. In 1872 he was elected to 
the ofiice of county attorney for Wyandotte County, and re-elected in 
1874, holding such position for two consecutive terms of two years 
each. In 1876 he was elected a member of the State Legislature, 
and served for two years as a member of the House of Representatives. 
In 1882 he was again elected to the position of county attorney, this 
time serving one term. He served on the Republican State Central 
Committee, when George T. Anthony was nominated for and elected 
governor, and was a member of the National Republican Convention 
in 1888, which nominated Harrison for President. 

Hon.. Harvey Allen, real estate, loan and insurance agent, Armour- 
dale, Kas. The principal necessity to the success of the real estate 



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^ 6 r- ^ h V 



business, the safest and surest form of investment, is to Lave reliable 
agents, who are thoroughly posted on their city and locality. Such an 
one has Armourdale in Hon. Harvey Allen. This gentleman was origin- 
ally from the Buckeye State, his birth occurring in Hamilton County 
on April 16, 1824, on Gen. Harrison's farm. His parents, Stephen 
and Ann (Clendenning) Allen, were natives of New York and Ohio, re- 
spectively. The father was a prominent tiller of the soil, and removed 
from Ohio to Shelby County, Ind., where he received his final sum- 
mons. His family consisted of three children, two now living, of whom 
Harvey Allen is the elder. He was early trained to the duties of the farm 
in Shelby County, Ind.. whither he had moved with his parents in 
1829, when only five years of age, and here he received his education 
in the common schools. In 184fi he enlisted in the Mexican War, in 
the Third Indiana Regiment, in Gen. Taylor's department, and served 
one year. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and this followed un- 
til coming West. In 1856 he emigrated to Leavenworth, Kas.. and 
was one among the first settlers. He took up a claim, farmed a short 
time, and then returned to Leavenworth, where he embarked in the 
furniture business, carrying it on for about eight years. During his 
residence here he was a member of the Board of Education for eio-ht 
years, and also, at the same time, was a member of the City Council 
for six years. In 1867 and 1868 he was a member of the Legislature, 
and was very prominent, politically. In 1870 he embarked in contract- 
ing and building iron bridges, which he carried on until 1888, or a 
period of eighteen years. He was connected with the Kansas City 
Bridge & Iron Company for eight years. In 1883 he removed to 
Armourdale, Kas. , and bought the property where he now lives, which 
was then in a big corn-field. He had but little capital on coming 
here, but invested safely and made a lucky hit. For the last two years 
he has turned his attention strictly to the real estate business. He is 
prominently identified with the building interests of Armourdale, and 
in 1890 was elected to the city council. In 1857, at the organization 
of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad, now the South- 
ern Kansas Railroad, he was elected one of the directors, which po- 
sition he filled for seven years, being secretary of the company for 
two years. He assisted in making the first survey of that line fi-om 
Leavenworth via Lawrence, through Indian Territory to Fort Gib- 
son. He was married, first in 1845, in Indiana, to Miss Martha J. 
Russell, who bore him one son, James M. (of Leavenworth). His sec- 
ond marriage occurred on March 23, 1858, to Miss Katie Helfenstein. 



490 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



Mr. Allen is a Mason, and treasurer of Armourdale Lodge No. 271. 

Kobert Allison, dairyman, Kansas City, Kas. Prominent among 
the successful and enterprising citizens of Kansas City, Kas. , stands 
the name of Mr. Allison, who engaged in the dairy business at this place 
in 1881, and who is one of the pioneers in that industry. He was 
born in Kenfrewshire, Scotland, in 1828, and followed farming in that 
country until 1871, when he and family came to America, locating in 
Wyandotte County, Kas. There Mr. Allison entered a paint shop, 
Union Pacific Work Shops, and was thus engaged for eight years. 
He was married in Scotland to Miss Grace Ewing, who died there, 
and who bore him four children, three living: Elizabeth, Jeanette and 
James. The son is in Washington, engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness, and the two daughters are in Scotland. Mr. Allison's second 
marriage was to Miss Agnes Elder, and four children were born to 
this union: Jean, Agnes, Matthew and Walter. Mr. and Mrs. Allison 
are worthy members of the Presbyterian Church, and he was one of 
the first elders. They were formerly members of the Congregational 
Church. Politically he is a stanch Republican. He is the owner of 
thirty-two lots joining Chelsea Park, and has it all well improved. He 
has been actively engaged in the dairy business, of which he has made 
a success. 

Maj. Eli W. Anderson, dealer in real estate and insurance agent, Ar- 
mourdale, Kas. This prominent citizen located in this place in 1881, 
when there were but seven houses erected, and not a plank down in 
the town for a sidewalk. He was born in Xenia, Greene County, Ohio, 
and in 1854 emigrated to Galveston, Tex., thence in August, 1860, 
to Indiana. Two years later he enlisted in Company I, Seventy-second 
Indiana Regiment, and served until September 19, 1803, when he was 
wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, lying on the battle-field for twelve 
days. His wound was through the left thigh, and he was subsequently 
mustered out on account of disability. He enlisted as a private, was 
commissioned a major, and was mustered out as a lieutenant. He was 
captured on September 19, 1863, but was paroled. His army expe- 
rience was not pleasant, and to this day he suffers very severely from 
his wound. After service he settled in Champaign County, 111. , moved 
fi'om there to Danville, 111., thence to Indianapolis, Ind., and followed 
merchandising for about eight years. In 1878 he came to Kansas 
City, Mo. , and there resided for four years, being in the employ of 
the Fort Scott Railroad Company. In 1881 he moved to Armourdale, 
and was the first postmaster at that place, having started the office in 



liL 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



491 



1882. He served one term. During this time he was also in the real 
estate business, and the same year he incorporated the little town of 
Armourdale. He drew all the ordinances for Armourdale for the first 
year, some of which are yet on the docket. In 1882 he was appointed 
as school director, and he drew all the plans and specifications for 
their present fine school building, superintending its construction. 
Since that time he has turned his attention almost exclusively to the 
real- estate and loan business, dealing altogether with city property, 
and is doing a thriving business. He drew the ordinance for the 
grade on Kansas Avenue, and is a prominent citizen. The name of 
the firm is now E. W. Anderson & Son. The Major is the father of 
Armourdale, and has witnessed the growth from seven houses to its 
now population of 8,000, a thriving little city. Much credit is due 
Maj. Anderson for his enterprise and integrity in building this city. 
He is of Scotch origin, and his parents, James and Nancy (Kendall) 
Anderson, are both natives of Scotland. The grandfather emigrated 
to Ohio in 1804, settled on a piece of military land near Xenia, and 
there his death occurred. Socially the Major is a Mason, and a mem- 
ber of the Grand Army; politically, a stanch Republican. He was 
married on November 5, 1865, to Miss Alice Earl, a native of Indiana, 
who bore him two children — Frank and Harry. 

Greene B. Anderson (colored) is the efficient constable of Kansas 
Township, Wyandotte County, Kas., but is a native of Georgia, where 
he was born December 25, 1851. He was reared in his native State, 
but at the close of the war was in Chattanooga, Tenn., and was there 
employed in a grocery store for six years. During the war, although 
but a lad, he took a deep interest in the stirring events of the times, 
and witnessed many battles, although too young to take an active part 
in them. He was on several battle-fields after the battle was over, 
where the wounded and dead thickly covered the ground, and wit- 
nessed many heart-rending sights. His father, a mulatto, was an 
engineer by trade, and by his own energy purchased his freedom, and 
by 1856, the freedom of his son. It was his intention to purchase the 
freedom of his entire family, but the war rendered this unnecessary. 
The father went with his former master into the Confederate army, to 
care for him, and after the war was over, settled in Chattanooga, where 
he is still living. From 1873 until 1879 Greene B. Anderson was a 
member of the fire department, and at the end of that time, came to 
Kansas City, Kas. , to work for Houston, Murray & Co. , and remained 
with them until 1885, when he was appointed by Mayor Hannan as 



s ""V 



492 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



patrolman, and made such an efBcient officer that he was afterward 
appointed a member of the police force by the Metropolitan Board, 
after which he was appointed deputy constable of Kansas Township, 
and was elected constable in 1889 and 1890. Mr. Anderson killed one 
man while serving as policeman. The desperado had tired at him twice, 
but missed him both times, whereupon Mr. Anderson returned the fire, 
with fatal results. He does a great deal of collecting, and is prompt 
in making all attachments and levies. He received some schooling 
in his youth, for which he paid himself, $1 per month, and is an intelli- 
gent man. He was married here June 13, 188'2, to Miss Frances Bus- 
ter, a native of Kentucky. He is a warm Republican, and is a Knight 
Templar in the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. 
Armourdale Foundry Company, Kansas City, Kas. Charles H. 
Jones, general superintendent of this large and enterprising plant, 
holds a prominent position among the business men of Kansas City, 
Kas. The Armourdale Foundry Company was incorporated in the year 
1883, with a capital of 1100,000, and with a working capital of $50, 
000. This important factor in the commercial status of Kansas City, 
Kas., is located on the electric line at the corner of Kansas Avenue and 
Adams Street. The foundry possesses a full and ample steam-power sys- 
tem, with all modern appliances and conveniences for the efficient and 
prompt discharge of the comprehensive work here executed. The 
trade of the house is widely extended, its products having a national 
reputation for excellence and durability. The complete list of officers 
of this foundry are: Robert Gillhon, president; Gus Marty, vice-presi- 
dent; John Gillhon, secretary; Charles H. Jones, general superin- 
tendent, and E. E. Benge, book-keeper. The foundry has a yearly 
production of $800, 000, and they ship to the following States and Ter- 
ritories: Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, California, Utah, Ne- 
braska, Louisiana, Tennessee, Wyoming, Dakota, Mexico and Indian 
Territory. Their yearly pay-roll amounts to about $109, 272 as labor, 
and the outlay in material amounts to 232,292 pounds per week. This 
plant, which is such an important factor in the Southwest, employs 12-1: 
skilled workmen and 41 laborers. The plant covers an area of two acres. 
The following are the divisions of the building: Foundry "A," 380x62 
feet, and Foundry "B,"' 190x60 feet. The power for the former com- 
prises a seventy-five horse-power engine, and a 100 horse-power boiler, 
and for the latter a twenty-five horse-power engine and a thirty horse- 
power boiler. Foundry "A" has a cupola of thirty-ton capacity and a 
seven- pound Sturtevant fan. Foundry "A" has four large cranes and 



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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 493 



' 'B' ' has overhead runways. The machine shop is 90x47 feet, has one 
traveling crane, one rotary-column lathe, two round-column lathes, two 
drill presses, two emery lathes, one power lathe and one No. 4 
blacksmith fan. The pattern shop, two stories and 90x47 feet, contains 
circular saws, "band saws," wood lathe, eight pattern benches, one 
draught room in pattern shop and a complete set of pattern tools. The 
stable, 20x40, two stories high, consists of eight head of horses, one four- 
horse wagon, two two -horse wagons and two light spring wagons. The 
blacksmith shop, 47x90 feet, comprises forges and all necessary black- 
smith tools. The pattern wareroom, 24x80 feet, has a complete set 
of railroad and house patterns and cable railroad patterns. The flask- 
room is 20x40 feet, and has a full stock of iron and wooden flasks. 
The clipping-room, 50x20 feet, has four large mills. The bumper-room 
is 80x25 feet, and is two stories high. The sand-shed-rooms are 18x20 
feet, and 20x40 feet, in dimensions. The core-room, 80x20 feet, has 
two large ovens, the first 19x9 feet, and the second 29x15 feet. The 
large trestlework connecting Foundry "A" with "B,'' is 170 feet long, 
sixteen feet high and ten feet wide. The Armourdale Foundrj' is one 
of the enterprises which Kansas City, Kas. , may well be proud. It is 
run with a full force of able workmen the whole year, and its products 
are shipped in every direction. 

Rev. E. W. Arnold, hardware merchant and Baptist minister, Ar- 
ipourdale, Kas. Eev. R. W. Arnold, one of the most highly re- 
spected citizens of Wyandotte County, and a man who has been closely 
identified with the growth of Christianity in this comnmnity since his 
residence here as a minister of the gospel, was born in Clinton 
County, N. Y., August 23, 1836. His parents, Ashley and Sarah 
(Walker) Arnold, were natives of New York and New Hampshire, re- 
spectively. The father was a farmer by vocation, and was a soldier 
in the War of 1812. He died in Clinton County, N. Y., as did also 
the mother. He was quite prominent in county politics, and was the 
incumbent of some county office the principal part of his time. He 
was a cousin of Stephen A. Douglas. The great-grandfather was in 
the Revolutionary War, was an officer in the same, and was in the 
battle of Bunker Hill. Of the five children born to his parents, Eev. 
R. W. Arnold is the elder of two now living; Mrs. Anna Herron, 
of Plattsburg, N. Y. A brother, Myron, was lieutenant of a colored 
regiment, and was killed at the battle of Fort Darling. E. W. Ar- 
nold was reared in and about Boston, and attended both Madison and 
Chicago Seminaries, graduating at the latter institution in 1873. In 



I ''^ . 



494 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



1861 he enlisted in Company A, Seventy -seventh New York Volun- 
teers, which company he raised and went oiit as its captain, and was 
assigned special pioneer work. He served until nearly the close of 
the war, and then returned to New York State, where he followed 
agricultural pursuits for some time. While in Boston he was em- 
ployed in the collection agency and later graduated at Chicago, as 
above stated. He was ordained at Ripon, Wis., in June, 1873, and 
here he had his first pastorate, remaining about four years. From 
there he went to Rochester, Minn. , then St. Paul, and in September, 
1887, he came to Armourdale. where he has charge of the Second 
Baptist Congregation. He is just completing a new church edifice, 
and has done much to build up his congregation. He embarked in 
the hardware business in the latter part of 1888, as a change for his 
health, and has been very successful in this venture. He was mar- 
ried first, in 1857, to Miss Marion C. Barber, and was married again, 
in ]873, to Miss Carrie Taylor. He married his present wife, who 
was formerly Miss Ella E. Mapes, in 1877, and they have two chil- 
dren, Ruth and Hope. Mr. Arnold is a member of the G. A. R. 

John Arthur, M. D. , is one of the oldest physicians of this section 
of the county, and in a professional capacity is well known, not only 
in Wyandotte, but in the surrounding counties. He first saw the light 
of day in Clay County, Mo., October?]4, 1826, he being the third and 
the only son in a family of six children born to Michael and Amanda 
M. F. (Martin) Arthur, who were born in Lexington, Ky. , May 19, 
1800, and Jessamine Couaty, Ky. , January 5, 1805, respectively, their 
marriage being celebi-ated in 1822. The father passed from life Au- 
gust 8, 1884, and the mother April 24, 1889. The paternal grand- 
father. Rev. John Arthur, was born in Scotland, but came to America 
in 1790, and the maternal grandfather, James Martin, was born in 
England, came to America about 1770, and was a major-general in 
the Revolutionary War. Dr. John Arthur, the immediate subject of 
this memoir, was reared in his native county, and at the age of twenty, 
or in 1847, he graduated from the Missouri State University at Colum- 
bia, and in 1853 graduated from the medical department of the St. 
Louis University. Immediately after completing his medical course 
he went to California, where he remained until August, 1854, then re- 
turned to Clay County, Mo., and the following year entered upon the 
practice of medicine. For a great many years he followed his calling 
in that county and at the same time he attended to the management 
of an 1,800-acre farm which he owned, dealing also extensively in live 



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stock. These occupations received his attention until 1862, when he 
went to Texas, taking with him the slaves belonging to himself and 
father, sixteen in number, and in the Lone Star State sold them, re- 
ceiving his pay in Confederate money, which he invested in Texas cat- 
tle. He undertook to take the cattle to the New Orleans market, but 
while en route was intercepted, and hnally disposed of his stock to the 
Confederate army. He once more had the worth of his slaves in Con- 
federate money, and this he deposited in a baak in St. Louis, and for 
all he knows it is still there. Although a Southei-n sympathizer, he be- 
lieved that the Union should be preserved, aad did all he could to that 
end in the way of furnishing the Union army with supplies. When 
he returned home he found his native city of liberty under martial law. 
His father was soon after stricken with paralysis, and Dr. Arthur then 
returned to his old home to attend to the management of the farm. In 
July, 1864, he bought up a lot of cattle for the purpose of supplying 
the Government troops at Fort Union, but owing to the danger to 
which they were subject in Missouri, he transferred the cattle to Ne- 
braska and took a contract of supplying the troops with beef at Fort 
Kearney and Laramie. The years of 1864-65 were devoted to this 
work, but the following year and a part of the year 1867 he practiced 
medicine in Hamburg, Iowa, after which he returned to his farm in Clay 
County, Mo. He made his home there until the early part of 1868, 
then sold out and removed to Wyandotte County, Kas. , in which he 
has resided ever since. For three years he was engaged in the bank- 
ing business, but in 1872 he assisted in organizing a Christian Church 
at Armstrong, of which he acted as pastor for two years, and since 
1874 he has devoted his time to preaching the gospel, to healing the 
sick and afflicted, and to the management of his real estate. Dr. Ar- 
thur holds a warm place in the hearts of those with whom he is ac- 
quainted, and as a minister, no less than as a physician, he has been 
the means of bringing happiness to many homes. It may further be stated 
in this connection that the most important of the Doctor's public achiev- 
ments was the improvement bj^ the United States Government of the 
Missouri River for navigation, and reclaiming of valuable land border- 
ing thereon. Having been born and reared near that river and wit- 
nessed the frequent changes of the channel, the difficulties and dangers 
attending its navigation, he began early in life to study the causes and 
remedies therefor. His researches led him to write and publish several 
articles upon the subject, until finally he elicited the attention of a few 
of the prominent leading spirits of Kansas City, Mo. Through them 



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496 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



conventions were called for directing public attention to the necessity 
and practicabilitv of improving the banks of the river, which, he argued, 
was the key to the system. He was a delegate, and not infrequently 
the only one from his city, to conventions held at Kansas City, Mo., 
St. Joseph, Mo., St. Louis, Mo., Minneapolis, Minn., and to Washing- 
ton, D. C. , where he represented both his State and city. It was at 
this capitol, before the Committee on Rivers and Harbor, that he made 
an exhaustive speech of one and one- fourth hours time, setting forth 
not only the advantages of so improving the river, but also the method 
by which the channel could be made permanent, the river its own 
dredge-boat, and a uniform depth of water not less than twelve feet in 
any and all shoal places. The appropriation asked was made, and the 
work commenced, which, he predicts, will continue until ere ten years 
will have elapsed, then will be regular steamers of large tonnage plow- 
ing the waters from Quindaro, Wyandotte, Kas. , to the Gulf of Mexico. 
The citizens of his city do him the credit by affirming that to him and 
his untiring efforts are due the great advantages they hope to derive 
from cheap transportation arising from the line of steamers now in proc- 
ess of construction, headed by Capt. A. L. Mason and his co-work- 
ers. His words are the Missouri River can be tamed, and its surg- 
ing waves restricted by the will of man, and he will cease to be ap- 
palled by its great heights, or stayed in his progress by its shoal bars. 
His marriage on March 22, 18-t8, was to Miss Ann F. Young, who died 
Augiist 23, 1849, leaving a child that survived her but a few days. 
The Doctor's second marriage was consummated November 1, 1849, the 
maiden name of his wife being Amanda D. Stevens, by whom he has 
had a family of eight children, six of whom' are living. 

Obadiah T. Ashlock, fruit grower, Turner, Kas. Mr. Ashlock is 
one of the early settlers of Shawnee Township and Wyandotte County, 
coming west from Iowa to Missouri in 1848, thence to Kansas, settling 
in Wyandotte County, in 1870. He is now one of the princij)al fruit- 
growers and general farmers of the township, and is the owner of over 
eighty- four acres of good tillable land. He has 400 apple trees on his 
place, of the following varieties; Ben Davis, Winesap, Rail's Jeanette, 
Yellow Pearmain, Willow Twigs, Bellflower and others, for winter, 
and for summer use, the Early Harvest, Red Astrachanand Red June. 
He has 50 peach trees and 100 cherry trees of the following varieties: 
Early Richmond, English Murillo and others. He has 150 Wild 
Goose and Blue Damson plum trees, 50 apricot trees, 2i acres of black- 
berries of the Snyder and Kittyninnie varieties, 4 acres of raspberries, 



^^ 



"^ 'y 

'■ 



^JUl 




of the Gregg, Hopkin and Turner Red variety, and 1 acre in straw- 
berries, Crescent Seedling and Downing varieties. Mr. Asblock finds 
fruit growing more profitable than general farming. He raises 25 
acres of wheat, and has Ih acres in grapevines of the Concord variety. 
He was born on February 18, 1825, in Tennessee, and was the fifth of 
seven children born to William and Nancy (Grogan) Ashlock, the 
father a native of Sotith Carolina, and the mother of Virginia. The 
father was reared to manhood in the Old Dominion and there learned 
the trade of a cabinet-maker. Later he moved to Tennessee, and was 
married there in ISK). He was in the War of 1812, and was in the 
battle of New Orleans. He remained in Tennessee until 1829, and 
then moved to Kentucky. Later he moved to Sangamon County, 111., 
in 1830, and here his death occurred in 1832. Three years later our 
subject moved to Des Moines County, Iowa, remaining there until 
1848, and then moved to Schuyler County, Mo., where he resided 
until 18B5. He then came to Randolph County, and in 1869 to Kan- 
sas. Obadiah T. Ashlock was married in Illinois, in ISlfi, to Miss 
Hannah J. Payton, daughter of William and Jennie Payton, and 
seven children were born to this union: James M. , Edwin E., William 
K., Henry H.,Don Carlos and Obadiah T. Mrs. Ashlock died in 1869, and 
he was married to Mrs. John Brantigam in 1870, who was born in Prus- 
sia on May 30, 1842, and who was the daughter of Peter Pitsch, a 
native of the same country. Mrs. Ashlock came to this country in 
1852, and in 1859 was married to her first husband, by whom she had 
three children: William, Peter and Robert. She and family came to 
Kansas in 1859, settled in Wyandotte County, and here her hiisbanJ 
died in 1869. By her marriage to Mr. Ashlock she became the 
mother of two children : Albert F. and Rose Dell. In politics Mr. 
Ashlock adheres closely to the Democratic party, and is in favor of 
free trade. He is a wide-awake, enterprising citizen, and a man 
esteemed by all. 

Henry M. Bacon is a well-known young druggist of Kansas City, 
Kas. , and has been conceded one of the most accurate pharmacists of the 
city. He has been in business here since 1881, being the owner and con- 
ductor of two excellent drug establishments. He was born in 
Franklin, Mass., January 24, 1854, being a son of George W. and 
Julia A. (Brooks) Bacon, the former a native of the Bay State, and a 
son of Joseph and Mary Ann (Metcalf) Bacon, also natives of that 
State. George W. Bacon is still living, and resides in Massachusetts, 
but his wife passed from life in 1865. Henry M. Bacon made his 



^I^:^ 




home in Massachusetts, until he was two and twenty years of age, and 
received an exceptionally fine literary education, in Amherst College, 
from which institution he was graduated in 1876. In August of the 
same year he came west to Kansas, and for one year was principal of 
the public schools at Arkansas City, after which he accejited a clerk- 
ship in a drug store, and in 1881 engaged in his present business. 
He has devoted thirteen years of his life to the calling of a druggist, 
and no more competent pharmacist resides within the limits of Wyan- 
dotte County. He is a charter member of the State Pharmaceutical 
Association, also of the Tauromee Lodge of the A. O. U. W. He be- 
longs to the school board of Kansas City, having been elected in the 
spring of 1890, and every enterprise in which he becomes interested is 
benefited by his patronage. Miss Mattie F. Mitchell became his wife 
October 10, 1883, she being a native of La Fayette, Ind., and to them 
a son has been born: Walter B., whose birth occurred March 15, 
1885. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon are members of the Pilgrim Congrega- 
tional Church, of which he is now a trustee. 

August Baker is one of the original settlers of Wyandotte County, 
Kas., coming here in 1870. He was born in Germany on April ^1, 
1842, being the sixth of nine children born to Chris and Hannah Ba- 
ker, also native Germans. The subject of this sketch, at the early age 
of eight years, was so unfortunate as to lose both his parents, their 
deaths being caused by cholera, which terrible epidemic swept Ger- 
many during the year 1850. In August, 1856, when only fourteen 
years of age, he emigrated to the United States, settling with an elder 
brother, Henry, who now resides in Champaign County, 111. He also 
resided in this county until the opening of the Rebellion, when he en- 
listed in the First Illinois Light Artillery, under Capt. Chaney, who 
resigned at Jackson, Miss., and was succeeded by Lieut. H. H. Bur- 
ton. His regiment was a member of the Sixteenth Army Corps, under 
Gen. John A. Logan, whose fortunes he followed until the closing of 
the war. The principal engagements in which he took part were 
Memphis, Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, and those battles in 
which Sherman participated in his famous march to the sea. His 
regiment was sent to Missionary Ridge to reinforce Gen. Grant, and 
served in the left wing of this battle. He then went to Knoxville,Tenn. , 
where Gen. Burnside was surrounded by Gen. Longstreet, after which 
he went to Chattanooga, where he remained until his regiment received 
orders to go to Cliicago to be mustered out of service. They passed 
through Indianapolis, Ind. , where they were banqueted by the citizens, 



-8 V 



/4=±= ^—^ 14^ 




receiving their first good dinner in three years. Whileat Atlanta, Ga., 
on July 22, 1864, he and his entire company were captured by the 
Confederates. He was driving a piece of artillery at the time of his 
capture, but after remaining in the hands of the Confederates a short 
time, he became tired of being shot at by his own comrades, and he 
and a fellow-driver, named John Singleton, managed to escape, and hid 
in a deep ditch until the Union army advanced, when they were res- 
cued from their dangerous position. After being mustered out of the 
service, Mr. Baker came to Fort Leavenworth, Kas. , and hired out as a 
teamster to Smith & Lambert, hauling Government supplies to the 
soldiers at Fort Union, Colo., which place they reached in July, 1865. 
He there quitted the company, and with twenty-three other teamsters 
started for California, but after a twelve days' march were surprised 
by the Indians, who killed and scalped two of their comrades and stole 
their mules. Becoming disheartened at these misfortunes, they re- 
turned to Fort Union, and after spending some time as a herder, Mr. 
Baker went to Fort Lyons, Colo., where he remained until the spring; 
then becoming assistant wagon boss, he took a train to Kansas City, 
Mo., where he received his discharge and returned to Chicago. Here 
he enlisted in the Twentieth United States Infantry, and went to Nor- 
folk, where he was uniformed and sent to Richmond. He joined his 
regiment at this place, after which he was sent to New Orleans, and 
was promoted to the position of provost-sergeant. After remaining 
there six months he went to Baton Rouge, thence to Shreveport, where 
he, with his regiment, took the train for Marshall, Tex. While there 
he was appealed to by the people of Boston, Tex., for protection from 
the depredations of Col. Baker and his gang of desperadoes. The 
subject of this sketch was then sergeant, was given command of some 
men, and although he and his men surrounded a saloon in which Ba- 
ker was, he succeeded in making good his escape on a mule which he 
had stolen, after having shot a man named Titoos. Baker afterward 
captured a train of supplies, after killing three of the four men on the 
train, but as he made his headquarters in the canebrake, it was found 
impossible to effect his capture, although a company of cavalrymen 
hunted the country for miles around for two weeks. He was afterward 
shot by his brother-in-law, at Orton Bros.' Circus, which was held at 
Boston, Tex. The gang of desperadoes entered the tent, began shoot- 
ing right and left, and riding in the ring, clearing the tent. The sol- 
diers secured their arms, and in their attack of these men succeeded 
in killing three, and captured four more. The latter were secured in 



500 . HISTORY OF Kansas; 



jail, but the following morniog, as the jailer went to take his prison- 
ers their breakfast, they shot him down and escaped. They were pur- 
sued by our subject and his men, but would not surrender until an- 
other of their number had been killed. The troops stayed at Boston 
for seven months, notwithstanding the threats received by them from 
the friends of the dead men. They were then ordered to Fort Kan- 
som. Dak., where the Indians were troublesome, and here Mr. Baker 
remained until August, 1869, when he was discharged and returned to 
Illinois. He then went to Nebraska to engage in farming, but while 
on his way to Leavenworth to purchase a team and supplies he had 
his money stolen from him at St. Joseph, and for a time was compelled 
to hire oiit. He worked here until the following fall, then bought a 
team and a mower, having received some aid from his Illinois friends, 
by the sale of some land. He cut grass and harvested that summer 
and fall, after which he went to Fremont, Neb., and on August 5, 1870, 
was married to Miss Mena Falke, a daughter of Henry Falke. She ac- 
companied her husband to Wyandotte County, Kas. , and here they 
purchased some land and settled down to farming. They now own 160 
acres of fine farming land, on which is erected a new house, good 
barns, fences, etc. They have a family of four children: William, 
Chris, Frank and August. Mr. Baker is a liepublicaij, a member of 
the Farmer's Mutual Benefit Association, and is president of the same 

at Rock Lodge No. . He and his wife and children are members 

of the Lutheran Church of Leavenworth, and for the last three years 
he has been trustee of his township, and was treasurer for two years. 
He is an upright gentleman in every respect, and is a worthy citizen in 
this community. 

Dr. Thomas D. Bancroft, the founder of the Bancroft Tabernacle, 
in Kansas City, Kas., was born in the year of 1837, in the State of 
Ohio. His parents were David and Louisa (Thomas) Bancroft, na- 
tives of New York State. When two years old, the family returned to 
their native State, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. 
At the age of sixteen he left home, and came to Kansas when eighteen 
years old and joined the Free-State troops, then under the leadership 
of Gen. James Lane and John Brown. The summer of 1856 was 
spent in the service of the cause of freedom, and against making the 
Territory of Kansas into a slave State. After the close of this war he 
returned home to his father's house, where there was something more 
than husks to feed upon. (Boys having sense often do that.) Between 
the close of the Border Ruffian War and the breaking out of the great 






_9 i> 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 501 



Rebellion, he tried to pick up a little education at Genesee Wes- 
leyan Seminary and College in Lima, Livingston County, N. Y. 
The excitement consequent upon the general election that gave to Mr. 
Lincoln the presidency was too much for him, and after serving as cap- 
tain of a v?ide- awake company during the campaign, he left school on 
January 28, 1S61, and went to Washington, D. C, and was pres- 
ent at the Capitol building, and heard many of the farewell speeches 
made in both the Senate and House of Representatives by receding 
members. Many threats were made against the Capitol by Southern 
sympathizers, and in the absence of troops to protect the Government 
archives, a company of frontier guards was formed for the purpose of 
protecting the Capitol, and placed under the leadership of the old Free- 
State leader. Gen. Lane, who was then there in Washington, having 
been elected the first United States Senator, after Kansas had been 
admitted as a free State. Mr. Bancroft was among the first to join 
this company, which played a very conspicuous part in preventing an 
attack being made upon Washington, for the company was made up of 
men who had formerly fought in the Kansas Border Ruffian War, the 
remembrance of which was enough to make pro-slavery men think 
twice before they crossed the Potomac River. This company was 
quartered in the east room of the President's house, and did duty on 
Long Bridge, Eastern Branch Bridge, and in fact protected Washing- 
ton and the Government until the arrival of troops, when they dis- 
banded. Mr. Bancroft was present at the first inaugural of Abraham 
Lincoln, afterward making his personal acquaintance, and was in 
the theater on the night of Mr. Lincoln's murder. He now has in his 
possession a drop of Mr. Lincoln's blood on a piece of the program 
played that night. While Mr. Lincoln was being carried down stairs 
out of the theater, Mr. Bancroft was one of a number of men who stood 
at the head of the stairs to keep back the crowd of excited people, and 
it was at that time this drop of blood fell from the mortal wound and 
was instantly picked up by him. Dnring the war Dr. Bancioft fought 
in the volunteer service in twenty or more battles and skirmishes, and 
was with Gen. Sheriden through the wilderness battle to the James 
River. Three bullet holes through his blouse-coat in one day is the 
most tangible evidence he can produce of the poor marksmanship of 
Confederate sharpshooting. At the close of the war he naturally came 
West, and, like most other persons, drifted about until the year 1879, 
when he engaged as traveling salesman with the firm of Messrs. Ride- 
nour, Baker & Co. , wholesale grocers in Kansas City, Mo. During this 



1 

'\\ ^ — ^ -^ — ^ \^_, 

502 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



time he became a reader of Dr. T. De Witt Talmage's books and 
sermons, and often tilled appointments in the lecture field and public 
readings from Dr. Talmage's writings. He established many public 
libraries in the State of Kansas, and also the first public library in Hot 
Springs, Ark. During this time he had espoused the Christian Relig- 
ion, and visited many Eastern cities for the purpose of finding out 
some practical way of reaching and bringing into the fold of Christ 
the poor, neglected and destitute of our cities. While in Brooklyn he 
made the acquaintance of Dr. Talmage, and afterward joined his 
church, the Brooklyn Tabernacle. He then returned West and set- 
tled in Kansas City, Kas. , where he now resides. He was married to 
Susie Archer, of Washington, D. C, in 18(1 1, and to this union there was 
born one son, William T., who now resides in Kansas City, Kas., and is 
a successful business man. In 1862 his wife died, and he was again 
married to Miss Elida Smith in the year ISSO. She was a native of 
New Jersey, and still lives to bless their home at 713 Trout Avenue. 
In 1888 he began the organization of a Sunday-school, by washing 
clothing and gathering destitute children into a school which he 
called the Tabernacle Sunday-school. At their first meeting there 
were about a dozen children present. The school grew in numbers and 
interest until the Opera House was too small to accommodate them. He 
then rented a piece of ground, and began the erection of a tabernacle 
building which now bears his name, and has a seating capacity of 
1 , 5()( ) people. Its dimensions are ()0x90 feet with gallery, and is 31 feet 
high in the clear. It is well seated, lighted, and is a very pleasant 
auditorium. It contains two parlors, one of which is used as a store- 
room for clothing and provisions for distribution among those who are 
needy. Hundreds have been fed and clothed, and hundreds have re- 
formed, and are now re23utable citizens. Employment is furnished for 
those who want to work, and all are required to wash before assistance 
is given. The Tabernacle is also used as a place of worship. Regu- 
lar services being held on Sunday, and two prayer-meetings during the 
week. A regular society has been organized, called the Tabernacle 
Fold, which is undenominational. Their creed is made np of verses 
selected from the Bible, each member being required to select a verse 
for his part of the creed. The school is now one of the most order- 
ly and well-behaved schools in the city. The children are nearly all 
singers, and it is delightful to listen to them. The Doctor says the 
work is only well begun, and that with the proper assistance he will 
be able to reclaim nearly all the unfortunate children in the citv. 






,u 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 503 



Never before has there been such energy put into practical home mis- 
sionary Tvork, and no one now has any doubt about Dr. Bancroft's ulti- 
mate success. 

Thomas J. Barker, a Kansas pioneer, and one of the first settlers 
of Kansas City, was born in Bedford County, Va., December 11. 1828, 
His father, William A. Barker, born in Albemarle County, Va., in 
1796, was a slave overseer, and served in the War of 1812. He was 
the son of Jacob Barker (a boatman on the James River), who was 
born at Eichmond, Va. , and was the son of James Barker, of English de- 
scent, who served under Washington, in the French and Indian and 
Revolutionary Wars. Mr. Barker's mother, Sarah (Hobbs) Barker, 
was born in 1800, in Bedford County, Va. , and was the daugh- 
ter of James Hobbs, a distiller, who was a native of England, and 
after serving in the English army, in the East Indies, emigrated to 
America in 17U4, and served in the War of 1812. William A. Barker, 
the father, and Sarah Hobbs, the mother, were married in 1817. 
in Bedford County, Va., where Thomas was born. They moved in 
1832 to Giles County, where the father died in 1837. To them had 
been born eight children: James B. , Mary V., Massenna C, William 
E., Anderson L. , Thomas J., Francis S. and Joseph G. , of whom 
Anderson L., Thomas J. and Francis S. are still living. The father, 
for twelve years previous to his death in 1837, was afflicted with the 
palsy, and the care of the family almost entirely devolved upon his 
wife. She was possessed of a more than ordinary degree of intelli- 
gence and great force of character, but she was unable to provide for 
her children and give them extensive educational advantages. 
Thomas J. Barker attended school in all, about one year, at the log 
cabin school house of those times and that country. He was endowed 
with an enquiring mind, was anxious to acquire knowledge, and soon 
made himself proficient in arithmetic and geography. When eighteen, 
having first made an arrangement with his mother for the three years' 
service he still owed her, he started out to make his own way in the 
world. At that time his health was not good, and he thought best to 
seek other employment than that of farming. He engaged to work for 
Anderson Pack, a wealthy planter, merchant and owner of a tan-yard in 
Mercer County, Va. He worked principally in the tan-yard, but at times 
did service in the store. He remained with Mr. Pack about two years, 
during which time an incident that afterward affected his career in life 
occurred. He was frequently entrusted with the buying and receiving of 
hides. At one time Augustus Pack, a nephew of his employer, delivered 

>if S ^~ "1 a) \p ' 



504 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



a large quantity of hides which proved on inspection to be more or less 
injured. Thomas refused to receive them except at a reduction of 
one-third in the jsrice. This demand was resisted and the owner of 
the yard was appealed to and the hides received. But Mr. Pack was 
highly pleased with the business qualities of his clerk. About a year 
after this transaction having determined to abandon the tanning bus- 
iness, he met Mr. Augustus Pack, whom he sujjppsed he had greatly 
ofFended by so strenuously representing the interests of his em- 
ployer, when he was greatly and agreeably surprised to receive charge 
of Mr. Pack's store, where he remained about two years, receiving a 
much larger salary than his uncle had given him. In 1851 he went 
to Central America, intending to work on the Panama Railroad, then 
in process of construction. But on reaching Aspinwall he was taken 
sick, and after remaining on the Isthmus about two weeks he returned 
to New Orleans, and thence to Louisville, Ky., where he received the 
benetit of hospital treatment for a short time before returning for his 
home. He nest engaged in mercantile business with James B. Malone, 
at the head of navigation on the Kanawha River. In April, 1855, 
he immigrated to Kansas, and for a short time stayed in Wyandotte. 
He went thence to Leavenworth and engaged with Charles A. Man- 
ners to assist in running the territorial line between Kansas and Ne- 
braska. There were twelve in the party, and he was given the posi- 
tion of cook. Late in the following fall, the survey having been com- 
pleted, he went to Wyandotte, where he has ever since resided. He 
first engaged as chief cook at the Cattish Hotel, a position he took in 
the absence of other employment. In about two months he obtained 
work as a rail-splitter and wood-chopper, using timber then standing 
on the present site of Kansas City, Kas. In the spring of 1856 he 
was employed by Mr. Isaiah Walker, as clerk in his store. In the 
winter of the same year, he bought a half interest in the store, and 
was an equal partner for about a year and a half, when he sold his in- 
terest. During this time he was appointed postmaster, and held the 
position until 1863, when he, Silas Armstrong, and John L. Hall 
bought a saw-mill about three miles west of the city, and engaged in 
manufacturing and selling lumber, in which he continued for several 
years. In the fall of 1864 he bought a half interest in the steam- 
boat "Kansas Valle}',"' on which building lumber was shipped to 
Leavenworth and other points, also supplying the Government with 
considerable quantities. In 1864 he and John L. Hall built the 
steamer "Emma;" in 1865, the steamer " Hiram Wood;" in 1866, 



r 



•^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



505 



the "Tom Morgan;" in 1867, the "Frank Nutts." In 186(5 he be- 
gan dealing extensively in wood, selling to the (Jovernment and sup- 
plying the city of Leavenworth and steamboats. In 1867 he com- 
menced dealing in railroad ties, which proved very lucrative, buying 
large tracts of timbered land, making the timber pay for the land, 
much of which he has since sold at a remunerative price, the remain- 
ing he still holds, which has become quite valuable. In late years he 
has dealt extensively in real estate, including farm lands and town 
property, and is considered a safe and prudent financier, and one who 
has been upright in his dealings and avoided litigation. In polities 
he has always been a Democrat, but during the war he was a strong 
Union man and Douglas Democrat. He was appointed by Gov. Madera, 
Wyandotte County's first clerk, but never qualified; was elected to the 
House of Eepresentatives from a Republican district in 1866, and 
again in 1880. He is a member of the Ma.sonie order, was reared in 
the faith of the Baptist Church, his parents being strict members of 
that organization, but he is quite liberal in his religious views and in- 
clined to be skeptical. He was married in 1865, in Wyandotte, to Miss 
Mary E. Hall, a native of Maine, born in 1846, to whom have been 
born three children: Thomas J., Jr. (a farmer), James E. (a law 
student), and Clara E. (who was born June 28, 1876, and died Au- 
gust 19, 1883). "Uncle Tom" Barker, as he is familiarly called by 
his many friends, has a good residence on Quindaro Boulevard. His 
business is in good shape and he is enjoying life. 

F. H. Barker is one of the wide-awake insurance and loan and real 
estate agents of Kansas City, Kas. He was born in Connecticut, in 
1835, but grew to manhood in Illinois, his home for many years being 
near Jacksonville. At the opening of the Kebellion he joined the One 
Hundred and Sixth Illinois Infantry, being mustered into the service 
August 7, 1862, and mustered out July 15, 1865. After being in the 
Army of the Tennessee for some time, and stationed at Jackson, Tren- 
ton and Bolivar, Tenn., he was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi 
Army, after which he participated in the siege of Vicksburg, Helena, 
Little Rock, Red River and Pine Bluff. After the war he settled in 
Springfield. 111., but in April, 1868, left that place to come to Atchi- 
son, Kas. , where he remained for about seven years, being engaged in 
the D. C. Newcomb dry goods house. He then moved his family to 
Kansas City, Kas., and traveled for the wholesale dry goods house of 
Homer, Rhoades & Hubbs for five years, and for the past six years 
has been engaged in the insurance and loan business, and has been 



*^^ 






506 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



more than ordinarily successful, being now the owner of some good 
property in Kansas City. He belongs to the Board of Trade, the 
I. O. O. F., and in his political views is a stanch Republican. He 
was married in Illinois, to Miss Julia H. Thomas, by whom he had 
four children, but he lost his wife and three children, and only Fred- 
erick E. is now living. His second marriage took place in Atchison, 
Kas. , to Miss Sardenia Andrews, by whom he has a daughter, Madora. 
Mr. Barker is a pleasant and agreeable gentleman, thorovigh and 
scrupulously honorable in his business dealings, and is putting to a good 
use the talents with which Nature has endowed him. He is an excellent 
member of society, is a stanch supporter of the public school system, 
for some time has been a member of the board of education in Kan- 
sas City, Kas., and is an earnest Christian. His parents, G. W. and 
Sarah A. (Phelps) Barker, were born in Connecticut, and the mother 
belongs to the same stock as Gov. Phelps, of Missouri. Mr. Barker 
had two brothers; one survives, and is a resident of Kansas, but 
George H. was killed at the battle of Shiloh, while serving in the 
Fourteenth Illinois Infantry. He also has two sisters, Mary P. 
Cooper and Charlotte L. Barker, both residents of Kansas. 

James K. Polk Barker, farmer, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Barker 
came to Wyandotte County, in 1865, directly from Boone County, 
West Va., and engaged in the carpenter's trade, which he continued for 
about two years, assisting in building two steamboats at Barker's 
Tank, on the Missouri River. After this he bought a stock of goods, 
general merchandise, sold goods for about two years, and then was 
mate on the "Fanny Barker," plying between Lexington and Atchi- 
son, and then lying off for several months. He returned to Wyan- 
dotte County and was there married in 1873, to Miss Sarah Frances 
Duncan, daughter of Thomas Duncan, a farmer of this township. 
Five children have been born to this union — three sons and two daugh- 
ters: Edgar R., Polk, Clara M. , Neva P. and Knox. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Barker began farming on 55 acres that he had previously 
bought, and soon afterward he added 55 acres more, then 60, after- 
ward 50 more, and soon had 220 acres of excellent land. He lived on 
this and improved it for a number of years, when, in 1882, he sold out. 
He then bought 183 acres, but has sold some of this, and is at the pres- 
ent time engaged in fruit-growing instead of stock-raising, as formerly. 
He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. 
Mr. Barker was born on October 22, 1844, in Mercer County, W. Va. , 
and is a son of James B. and Mary Barker. The father was born in 



'-^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 507 



Franklin County, Va., and was a farmer and carpenter by trade. He 
died in 1854, being then but in the prime of life, and left his family 
on their own resources. There were six children in the family — three 
sons and three daughters — one son, Isaac, died in West Virginia, 
about the year 1870 (he had been a Union soldier and served under 
Gen. Grant); Samuel S. is living in this county, and was a Confeder- 
ate soldier, serving through the entire war; Mary died in West Vir- 
ginia about the year 1880; Sarah E. is the widow of Cumberland 
Harliss, and resides in West Virginia; and Isabelle F., wife of John 
Lawrence, resides in Kanawha Valley, W. Va. James K. P. Barker, 
when but fourteen years of age, started out to fight life's battles for 
himself, and engaged as a day laborer, building flatboats. He con- 
tinued at this business until the breaking out of the war, when he en- 
listed in Company B, Thirty-sixth Virginia Regiment, and served in all 
the West Virginia campaigns. In 1862 he was captured, confined at 
Camp Chase from April until August, and then exchanged, joining his 
command. He was under Early in the Valley of Virginia campaign, 
and was at Fort Donelson. He was in the battles of Piedmont, Floyd 
Mountain, Strawsburg, Winchester, Cedar Creek, and in March, 1865, 
he was again captured, being confined in Fort Delaware, until June 
25, of that year. He then went to work and succeeded in getting 
sufficient money to bring him West, and since then what he has accu- 
mulated has been the result of industry and perseverance, together 
with good management. He has secured a handsome competency, and 
is prosperous and happy. He has in his home place forty-seven acres 
in orchard and small fnrit. 160 acres in Kaw bottom land, all under 
cultivation, and besides is the owner of considerable property in Kan- 
sas City, Kas. He contributes liberally to the support of schools, 
churches, etc. 

Dr. B. M. Barnett, physician, Rosedale, Kas. Mr. Barnett. who 
has acquired a flattering reputation as a physician, was born in Stark 
County, Ohio, on December 12, 1854, and is the son of Jacob F. and 
Hannah (Myers) Barnett. The father is a retired farmer, residing at 
Canton, Ohio. Dr. Barnett received a good practical education in the 
common schools, then took a select course at Hiram College, and there 
remained until twenty-two years of age. He then began teaching, 
his first school being in Stark County, and continued thus employed 
for five years. The last two years of teaching he read medicine under 
B. A. Whiteleather, and in the spring of 1880 he attended lectures 
at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City. During the win- 



V 



508 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



ter of 1881-82 he attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, of 
Philadelphia, Penn. , where he subsequently graduated . He then prac- 
ticed for one year at Waynesburg, Ohio, and in 1883 came to Argen- 
tine, Kas. He did not remain in the last-named place very long, but 
came to Rosedale, where he has built up a very extensive and lucra- 
tive practice. The Doctor is cut out for his chosen profession, which 
has been amply shown by his flattering success since residing in this 
county. He was councilman one term, and in 1889 was elected mayor 
of Rosedale, which position he filled in a very sati.sfactory manner. 
He selected as his comf)anion in life Miss Mollie Hellmreich, of Rose- 
dale, and their nuptials were celebrated on February 24, 1886. They 
have one child, a son, Harry W. Dr. Barnett is a member of the A. 
F. & A. M., K. of P., A. O. U. W. and Foresters and the D. of H. of 
the A. O. U. W. He is physician and medical examiner for the four 
last-named organizations. In politics he affiliates with the Repub- 
lican party. 

Edward E. Beach, agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad at Pom- 
eroy, Kas. , is a native of Hartford, Conn. , born in 1838. and was the son 
of Elnathan and Mary A. (Bullard) Beach, also natives of Connecti- 
cut. Of the five children born to this union Edward E. is fourth in 
order of birth. They are named as follows: Elizabeth (wife of Ches- 
ter Stelle, Milwaukee, Wis.), Henry B. (married and is a resident of 
Pana, 111.), Mary C. (widow of J. W. Cary, who, during his life was 
general ticket agent of the Michigan Southern & Lake Shore Rail- 
road; he died in 1886), Cornelia (became the wife of George Russell, 
of Los Angeles, Cal.). Edward E. Beach left his native State at the 
age of thirteen years, locating in New York City, and remained there 
two years. After this he located in Cleveland, Ohio, where he re- 
mained about four years, and then the family located in Chelsea, Mich., 
where Mr. Beach enlisted in Company D, Fourth Michigan Volun- 
teer Infantry. He served one year, and then, on account of disability, 
was discharged. He took part in the first battle of Bull Run, York- 
town, and many skirmishes. During his service he contracted disease 
of the heart, from which he has been a constant sufPerer since. He 
was married, in 1868, to Mrs. Julia A. Pmcin, a daughter of Mr. 
Dunn, who is a native of Augusta, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Beach located 
in Wyandotte County in 1871, opened a general store in Pomeroy, 
and carried this on successfully for two years. He then engaged in 
farming, and followed this until 1885, when he accepted his present 
position. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He is a member of 



*^' 



;|V 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 509 



Bumside Post No. 28, of Kansas City, Kas., and is also a member of 
the Veterans' Union, of Kansas City, Kas. 

Samuel Beattie, farmer, Quivera, Kas. In mentioning those of 
foreign birth who have become closely associated with the farming in- 
terests of Wyandotte County, Kas. , we should not fail to present an 
outline of the career of Mr. Beattie, for it is one which has fully borne 
out the reputation of that class of industrious, energetic men of Irish 
nativity who have risen to prominence in different portions of this 
countiy. He was born in Ireland, October 13, 1833, and was the 
son of William Beattie, who was born in the Emerald Isle, and was of 
Irish and Scotch descent. The father died in 1843, and the widow 
with the family emigrated to America in IS-IU, and settled in Stephen- 
son County, 111. There the mother died in LS52. Samuel Beattie 
attained his growth in Stephenson County, 111., and in 1856 went to 
New Orleans, where he remained two years. He then went to Kansas, 
remained in Johnson County, and sold goods to the Indians at Shaw- 
nee, until the town was burned by Quantrel in 1862. In the fall of 
1863 he went to Colorada, but only remained there long enough to 
dispose of some goods, and then came to Kansas City, in June, 1864, 
where he put up hay for the Government. In the sjjring of 1865 he 
took a train of freight to Santa Fe, N. M. , and in the fall he 
and Capt. Keeler took the contract for opening Twelfth Street in 
Kansas City, Mo. , which operation took them a year. Mr. Beattie 
purchased his present farm of 600 acres, but sold nearly 100 acres, 
and has an excellent farm in good tillable shape. He was one of the 
most extensive farmers in the county, but of late years he has rented 
the most of his land. He finds that potato growing and gardening is 
more profitable than general farming. He improved his land, built a 
good comfortable house, and other buildings necessary for his stock, 
and a glance over his place indicates to the beholder the quality of farmer 
that he is. He was married in 1875, to Miss Florence C. Hoffman, a 
native of Wyandotte County, Ohio, born in 1855, and the daughter of 
Henry Hoffman. To this union live children were born, three now 
living: Margaret D., William A. and E valine. Those deceased were 
named Mary Dell and Bertha May. Mr. Beattie is a Democrat 
in politics, was elected county commissioner in 1871, and served four 
years. Of late years he has been connected with the school board. 
He is H mjmber of Shaw.ie3 Ladge No. 5t. A. F. & A. M. He 
was brought up in the Presbyterian Church, and is a liberal contrib- 
utor to all worthy movements. While filling the position of county 



- » 






510 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



commissioner, the iron bridge in Kansas City. Kas. , was completed 
across tbe Kaw River. 

George E. Bell is the proprietor of the Kyus House, one of the 
best conducted and most complete establishments of the kind in Kan- 
sas City, Kas. He was born in Toronto in 1854, and although a 
native Canadian, he has been a resident of the United States nearly 
all his life, and is at present a faithful subject of "Uncle Sam." His 
youth and early manhood were spent in the cities of Delaware and 
Columbus, Ohio, and being an intelligentand wide-awake young man, 
he was given the position of traveling salesman for a dry goods and 
grocery establishment, a calling which continued to receive his atten- 
tion for seventeen years. He became interested in the hotel business 
while on the road, and the many experiences, thrilling and otherwise, 
which he passed throiigh, tended to make him thoroughly acquainted 
with the wants of the traveling public, and no better man for his 
present position could be found. He kept a first-class hotel in Lan- 
caster and Columbus, Ohio, and Kansas City, Mo., for a number of 
years, after which he took charge of the Ryus House, his connection 
with the same commencing on May 15, 1889. By his cordiality, 
accommodating spirit and undoubted efforts to please his guests he 
has built up a larg6 trade, and his patrons thoroughly appreciate his 
efPorts for their comfort. In addition to his management of his hotel 
he is a most genial companion, and generous to a fault, nothing being 
too good for his friends. In politics he supports the measures of the 
Democratic party and socially belongs to the K. of P. of Delaware, 
Ohio. He possesses a tine physique, is somewhat interested in sport- 
ing matters, and is one of the wide-awake business men of Kansas 
City. He was married in Delaware, Ohio, to Miss Martha E. Waters, 
by whom he has one child, named Grace. His parents, Robert and 
Jane (Jackson) Bell, were born in England and are at present living 
in Indianapolis, Ind. 

Louis Benson. Among the best-known houses engaged in the 
grocery business in Kansas City, Kas., is that belonging to Mr. Ben- 
son, who embarked in business in August, 1889, and has from the 
commencement annually increased his trade. He was born near the 
city of Falkenborg, Sweden, July 15, 1859, being a son of Ben Lar- 
son and Nellie Benson, who reared a family of six children, of whom 
he was the fifth: Anna, Nels, Charles, Andrew, Louis and John. 
Three of the sons came to America, as follows: Andrew, in 1879, and 
is now employed as engineer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, his 



l\^ 



.1 



^. 




home being in Slater, Mo. ; Louis, came in 1880, and John in 1884, 
the latter being now a resident of Kansas City, Mo., and is employed 
in the shops of the Fort Scott & Gulf Railway. The other two sons, 
together with Anna and their parents, still reside in their native land. 
Ben Larson, the father, is a tiller of the soil, being the owner of a 
good farm, and he and his wife are spending their declining years in 
comfort and happiness. Louis Benson was reared to manhood in his 
native land, and between the ages of eight and fourteen years he se- 
cured a fair education, and from the latter age until he was twenty-one 
he labored upon his father's farm. In 1880 he bade adieu to home 
and friends to seek his fortune in America, and embarked at Gothen- 
burg for Hull, England, fi'om which place he went to London by rail, 
embarking at that city for the United States, and after a stormy voy- 
age of fifteen days lauded at the port of New York. Two days later 
he went to Wilkesburg, Penn., where for eight months he worked in a 
coal mine. He then came westward, and after a stay of two weeks 
in Chicago, he went to Clayton, Wis. , where, for nearly a year he was 
employed in a lumber yard. In the spring of 1882 he went to He- 
lena, Montana Territory, in the vicinity of which place he remained 
about two years, the first three months being engaged in killing buf- 
faloes in the employ of a man named Johnson. The balance of the 
time he was employed as a contractor upon the Northern Pacific Rail- 
way, then being built. In the fall of 1884 he came to Kansas City, 
Mo., and during the winter which followed he was employed in the 
shops of the Missouri Pacific Railway, but in the spring of 1885 he 
went to San Francisco, Cal. , and a week later to Portland, Oreg. , going 
the following week to Tacoma, Washington Ter., where, during 
the summer he worked in a saw-mill. In the fall of 1885 he went to 
Idaho Territory, and after spending two months in Moscow he re 
turned to Helena, Mont., where he continued to make his home until 
the following spring. He then returned to Kansas City, Mo., and 
was employed in the shops of the Chicago & Alton Railway, and during 
the spring and summer of 1889 he and his brother, Andrew Benson, 
of Slater, Mo., erected a large and handsome two-story brick block at 
No. 55 South Seventeenth Street, Kansas City, Kas. , which is 40x55 
feet and comprises two good business rooms 20x55 feet, the co.st of 
the building being abont $(j,000. It is one of the best business blocks 
in the south part of the city. In one of these rooms, in August, 1889, 
Mr. Benson and Oscar Bidder opened a first-class grocery store, and 
the firm under the name of Benson & Bidder has continued up to 






!> V 






512 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



the present time, and is one of the first-class establishments of the 
place. Both are courteous and accommodating young men, and have 
built up a good patronage. As their store is desirably located, and is 
stocked with a tine lot of goods, they have built up a large patronage, 
and are doing a thriving business. Mr. Benson is a young man of 
good habits, and he possesses every qualification necessary to make 
him a successful business man. He has a large circle of friends by 
whom he is highly respected. 

A. L. Berger, deputy county attorney of ^Vyandotte County, 
Kas., owes his nativity to St. Clair County. 111., his birth occurring in 
1805, and is a leading citizen of Kansas City, Kas., in its professional, 
business and social life. He graduated in the classical course in Mc- 
Kendree College, Lebanon, 111., in 1882, and immediately after finish- 
ing entered the law department of the Washington University, St. 
Louis, Mo. , where he graduated in law in the class of 1884. From there 
he came direct to Kansas City, began practicing his profession, and this 
has continued to follow. He is the present deputy county attorney, 
and is a member of the law firm of Moore & Berger. 

Henry J. Bigger. The name of Bigger is identified with the mer- 
cantile standing, the welfare and material and social happiness of 
Wyandotte County, Kas. He was born in Belfast, North of Ireland, 
February 17, 1851, to Joseph and Jane (Ardrie) Bigger, the former of 
whom was a son of David Bigger, and the latter a daughter of Will- 
iam Ardrie. They were married in March, 1850, and becaine the par- 
ents of nine children: Henry J., Jane G., Samuel F., William C, 
Frederick C, Caroline E., Edward C, Francis J. and Margaret, all 
of whom are living: Henry J. and his brother, William C. , are the 
only ones of the family who came to America. Samuel F. , another 
brother, is a sergeant-major of the Sixteenth Bengal Artillery, sta- 
tioned in the British Indies, having held that position in the British 
army for the past thirteen years. William C is engaged in the 
milling business, in Lawrence, Kas. Frederick C. is in the internal 
revenue service of the British Government. Edward C. is a physician 
and surgeon of Belfast, Ireland, and Francis J. is a barrister of the 
same city. The father of these children one time owned and operated 
a large pork-packing establishment in Belfast, and as a business man 
was very successful, acquiring a large amount of property. He after- 
ward sold his business interests, and for thirty years prior to his death 
he led a retired life, passing quietly away February 14, 1890, at the 
age of .sixty-four years. His widow still survives him, her home being 



^r^ 




at the Ardrie villa, two miles from Belfast, where she has a large and 
handsome residence, and is surrounded by everything necessary to 
make life easy and pleasant. Henry J. Bigger remained in Ireland 
until he attained manhood, and between the ages of seven and twelve 
years he attended school. He then entered the employ of William 
Crozier, a grocer of Liverpool, England, remaining with him for seven 
years, then, in 1871, emigrated to the United States, and on reaching 
this country, came direct to Kansas City, Kas., and here for four years 
followed different occupations. In 1875 he went to Leavenworth 
County, Kas. , where he purchased a farm, on which he resided for 
six years, but in the fall of 1881 returned to Kansas City, and soon 
after opened a grocery store, at the corner of James and Third Streets. 
In 1883 he bought two lots, Noa. 207 and 209 James Street, and the 
same year erected upon them a beautiful building, comprising two 
store rooms, in one of which he began selling groceries, and in the 
other flour and feed, conducting the two together very successfully 
until June 5, 1887, when he sold the stock and fixtures to John Nelson, 
for •'$3,350. In November, 1887, he engaged in the commission busi- • 
ness, at No. 227 James Street, following this calling a year and a 
half, during which time, June 5, 1888, his building at Nos. 207 and 
209 James Street, which he had rented, caught fire, and burned to 
the ground. A month later he began the erection of a new building, 
48x80 feet, which was completed the following fall, at a cost of $4,100. 
In one room of this building, in October, 1889, he opened a first- 
class grocery, which he is now conducting. He is an agreeable man 
with whom to do business, and in all his business transactions is un- 
deniably honest. His other store room is rented out, and is used as a 
bakery. Besides his business property he owns a good residence at 
No. 814 East Twenty-fourth Street, Kansas City, Mo., which he pur- 
chased in June, 1887, at a cost of $4,200. He was married October 
15, 1875, to Miss Elvira Howe, a native of Illinois, and their marriage 
has resulted in the birth of eight children: Edna, Joseph, Edward, 
Jennie, Lillian and Alfred, who are living, and two daughters who 
died in infancy. Mr. Bigger is a member of the Second Advent 
Church, and is a worthy and honorable citizen. Since coming to 
America he has made three visits to his old home in Ireland, the first 
being made in 1875, the second in 1881, and the third in 1887. 

Francis C. Bishop, Bethel, Kas. Mr. Bishop, originally from the 
Old Dominion, was born December 11, 1831, and is a son of John and 
Judith (Walker) Bishop, natives also of Virginia. They reared a family 



>^ 






514 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



of five children, of whom Francis C. is the eldest, and two besides him 
now living. When the latter was eight or nine years of age the father 
moved to Tennessee, where he bought land and followed farming until 
his death in 18S6, at the age of eight^'one years. His wife died many 
years previous. Francis C. was reared on the farm until eighteen 
years of age, and his educational advautages were limited. Later he 
learned the blacksmith' s trade in Polk County, Tenn., worked there two 
years and then worked in Bradley County until the war. During that 
struggle Mr. Bishop was a member of both the Confederate and 
Federal forces, serving in all four years. Three years were passed in 
the former army, during which time he was in several engagements 
of note. At Fort Donelson he was captured and taken to Camp Mor- 
ton, Indianapolis, subsequently being exchanged at Vicksburg. He 
was also at Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain, and at Calhoun, Ga., 
was again taken prisoner, on May 17, 1861, and removed to Rook 
Island, 111., when he joined the Union army. Mr. Bishop came to 
Wyandotte County, in 1866, and went to cutting cord wood. In 1867 
he returned to his trade, west of Quindaro and remained there until 
1871, when he went to Cowley County, Kas. There he preempted 
160 acres of land, and resided on that until 1875, improving it, but at 
the same time carried on his trade. He then traded that for forty 
acres in Quindaro Township, and worked at his trade here for some 
time. Later he sold his forty acres, and in connection with his trade 
subsequently carried on farming for three years. Returning then to 
Quindaro, he worked in the shop there until July, 1889, when he pur 
chased two acres in Bethel, built a house and shop and is now at work 
at his old trade in that town. He has been twice married, first in 
Leavenworth in 1866, to Miss Mary Patterson, who lived about two 
years. In about a year after her death he married Mrs. Mary J. Powell. 
Politically, Mr. Bishop is a Democrat, but in local elections he votes 
for the best man. 

I. B. Blackburn. As the spirit of progress grows more and more 
pronounced, every day sees new avenues of trade open up in the com- 
mercial world, and each of these avenues is crowded with men and 
women eager to secure lucrative positions. But while some occupations 
are newer, there is scarcely one that gives a broader field for labor than 
that of the builder. Houses must be planned and built that the in- 
crease in population may have comfortable and beautiful homes, and 
as a city grows there is a great demand for the experienced contractor 
and builder, who, well understanding the details of his calling, gives 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 515 



satisfaction to his patrons. Among this class of men we are pleased 
to mention the name of I. B. Blackburn, who, having achieved great 
success in this his chosen vocation, takes a very high rank among 
those of his class. Mr. Blackburn was born in North Carolina in 
1862, and continued to make that State his home until he had reached 
his ninth year, moving at that date to Saline County, Mo., where 
he grew to manhood. His education was received at Jefferson City, 
Mo. ; making creditable progress in his studies he graduated with 
honors. Mr. Blackburn came to Kansas City in 1886, since that time 
has been constantly engaged in the erection of public buildings and 
private residences. Mr. Blackburn is also constantly engaged in 
a general grading business, and many of our streets owe their beauty 
and utility to his handiwork. Knowing that single blessedness could 
not last forever, Mr. Blackburn was married, July 10, 1890, to Miss 
Mamie Balance, daughter of B. F. Balance, a prominent citizen of 
Wyandotte County, and a native of the old Blue-Grass State. In 
politics Mr. Blackburn is an uncompromising Republican of the stal- 
wart type. He was appointed, in 1889, a deputy constable under G. 
B. Anderson in Judge Bradley's court. He also takes a prominent 
part in societies, being a member of Lodge No. 1, S. of P., in this 
city. Being a wide-awake and enterprising man, and making his 
home in a thrifty and growing city, it is small wonder that the sub- 
ject of this sketch has prospered in life. We bespeak for him a 
brilliant future, and only wish that there were many more with his 
disposition to forge ahead. 

John W. Blankenship, farmer and stock-raiser. White Church, Kas. 
Early trained to the duties of farm life, it was but natural, perhaps, 
that when it became necessary for him to select some occupation 
through life, that Mr. Blankenship should choose the calling to which he 
had been reared, a calling that has for ages furnished sustenance to the 
ready worker. His birth occurred January 1, 1861, in London, Ky., 
and he is the son of Joshua and Rebecca E. (Johnson) Blanken.ship, 
the father a native of Chesterfield County, Va., born June 15, 1837. 
The latter moved with his parents from Kentucky to Virginia in 1839, 
and thence to Wyandotte County, Ark., when but six years of age. He 
was married in this State to Miss Johnson, who bore him the following 
children: John W., Frank L., Emily C. (wife of J. W. Daniel), Sarah 
M. (wife of James P. Coleman), George W., Addie H. , Louis (de- 
ceased), Ella (deceased), Daniel R. and Ella May. John W. Blanken- 
ship received but a limited education, and began farming for himself at 



8 ^yT 






516 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



an early age. At present he and his brothers are engaged in the dairy 
business in connection with farming. On December 10, 1885, he was 
married to Miss Lizzie Woodward, daughter of J. G. Woodward of this 
county, and one child is the fruit of this union, Martin Elmer. Mr. 
Blankenship purchased eighty acres of land in 1889, and a considerable 
portion of this is under cultivation. He affiliates with the Republican 
party, and has held a number of minor offices in his township, and he 
and Mrs. Blankenship are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church in Delawai-e Township. Socially he is a member of the Dela- 
ware Lodge No. 96, A. F. & A. M. at White Church. 

Jacob Bloedel, is a dealer in harness, saddles, horse clothing, robes 
and whips, and although he lirst began business in Kansas City, Kas., 
in June, 1879, he has conducted business at No. 420 Minnesota Avenue 
since June, 1886. He was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, De- 
cember 26, 1841, being a son of Henry and Mary Ann (Stephan) 
Bloedel, whose marriage occurred in 1837, Miss Stephan being his 
second wife. By his first wife he had two sons: Henry and John, both 
of whom came to America, the former in 1848 and the latter with his 
parents in 1854. Henry now resides in Fond du Lac, Wis., and John 
in Carver, Minn. Mr. Bloedel' s second union resulted in the birth of 
seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second. 
Their names in the order of their births are as follows: Frederick, Ja- 
cob, Adam, August, Catherine, Helena, and a daughter that died in 
infancy, unnamed. August and Helena are also dead, the latter dying 
in Germany when about a year and a half old, and the former in Chi- 
cago, 111., at the age of twenty-six years. All the children were born 
in Germany. After deciding to come to America, the family embarked 
at Havre de Grace on the sailing vessel "Zurich," May 30, 1854, and 
after a pleasant voyage of one month, landed at New York City, and 
after a rest of five or six days, went to Buffalo, N. Y. , where they spent 
thirty or forty days visiting relatives. They then came on west to Mil- 
waukee, Wis. , where the father spent the remainder of his life, his 
death occurring in October, 1877, his widow still being a resident of that 
city. The former was a blacksmith by trade, and for a period of twenty 
years conducted a shop in Milwaukee. He was a member of the Ger- 
man Lutheran Church, and his surviving widow, who is now in the 
eighty third year of her age, is a member of the same. Their son 
Frederic lives in Oconomowoc, Wis., Jacob in Kansas City, Kas., and 
Adam and Catherine in Milwaukee, the latter residing with her mother. 
The subject of this sketch attended school in his native land until he 



^1 



^^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 517 



was thirteen years of age, and after coming to America with his parents, 
he attended both the German and English schools of Milwaukee for 
about three years, after which he began learning the trade of harness- 
maker, serving an apprenticeship of two years under Michael Mueller. 
After working as a journeyman in Milwaukee for nine months, he went 
to Sheboygan Falls, Wis., continuing his work as a journeyman for one 
year, after which he went to Port Washington of the same State, and 
engaged in the harness business for himself. After remaining there 
for nearly two years, he, in 1863, went to Chicago, 111., working as a 
journeyman for a year and a half, then returning to Wisconsin. For 
the following sis mouths he worked at his trade in Portage City, then 
spent a year and a half at Fond du Lac, and nine months at Friendship. 
In the spring of 1867 he came to Missouri, opening a harness shop at 
New Frankfort, and after remaining there for over fourteen years, he, 
in November, 1877, came to Kansas City, Kas., where he has conducted 
a first-class harness shop and resided ever since, he being now the pio- 
neer harness dealer of the city. His first shop was opened at No. 447 
Minnesota Avenue, but in June, 1879, he removed to No. 418 Minnesota 
Avenue, and since June, 1886, has been located at his present stand. His 
present establishment, which is 20x80 feet, is teeming with all kinds of 
goods kept in a first-class harness store, and as he is a courteous and 
accommodating gentleman, he has a very large patronage. He was 
married, July 16, 1870, to Miss Jennie Slyster, a native of Holland, 
born in January, 1852, a daughter of Jacob Philip Slyster. She came 
to America with her parents, and here her marriage occurred. Her 
union with Mr. Bloedel has resulted in the birth of the following fam- 
ily; AUida Anna (born May 11, 1871, and died August 1,1871), Jo- 
hanna Katharina (born June 13, 1872, and died November 25, 1875), 
Heinrich Jacob (born January 16, 1873, and died November 27, 1875), 
Alida Anna (born March 23, 1875, and died October 1, 1875), Herman 
Frederick (born November 25, 1876), Christina Katharina (born No- 
vember 4, 1878, and died December 1, 1886), Elnora Jennie (born 
September 8, 1880, and died August 2, 1881), Wilhelmina Francisca 
(born August 12, 1882, and died August 4, 1883), August Bernhard 
(born July 14, 1884), Elizabeth Jennie (born August 18, 1886, and 
died June 7, 1887), and Ida Hannah (born November 27, 1887, and 
died June 13, 1889). While a resident of New Frankfort, Mo., Mr. 
Bloedel served as treasurer of the school board for two years. He has 
always been an upright and honorable gentleman, and owing to his 
many admirable qualities he has a large circle of warm friends. He 



iht^ 



518 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



and his wife are among the city's best citizens, and are very highly 
respected by all who know them. Besides being a skillful workman 
and the thorough master of his trade, he has invented and received 
patents uj)on several very useful articles for harness, among which 
may be mentioned the Perfection Draft Attachment, upon which he re- 
ceived a patent July 1, 1S84, and a patent hame attachment, the patent 
being received June 30, 1885, and a patent holdback, for which he re- 
ceived his patent December 4, 1888. 

John Blomquist is a member of the tailoring establishment of 
Blomquist Bros., of Kansas City, Kas. , but was born in Sweden in 
1849. Prior to coming io America he had learned his trade, but was 
not at all familiar with the English language, and after reaching this 
country, in his eighteenth year, he located first in Geneva, 111., 
where he remained two years. He then started out in business for 
himself in Oregon, 111., secured an excellent line of goods, and soon 
built up a paying business, but becoming dissatisfied he sold out, and 
after about four months spent in California he returned east as far as 
Kansas, and opened up an establishment in Kansas City and now has 
a very large aud select stock of gents' furnishing goods. He keeps 
from ten to fifteen journeymen at work all the time, and his establish- 
ment is second to none in this section of the State. He shows 
much skill, taste and experience as a tailor, and the proof of the pos- 
session of the qualities is the success which has followed the enter- 
prise. He had nothing at the outset to depend upon but the capital 
with which Nature had endowed him, but by a judicious use and 
development of these he is now doing a prosperous business. He is a 
Kepuljlican in his political views, and is yet unmarried. His jjarents 
were born in Sweden, and in that country the father died, but the 
mother is still living and makes her home with the subject of this 
sketch. His brother Charles is associated with him in business, and 
their stock of goods is valued at 110,000. John Blomquist is a stock- 
holder and director in the First National Bank, and is vice-president 
and second vice-president in one of the city banks. His house is a 
popular one and he, himself, is highly respected and esteemed as a 
thoroughly reliable man of business and a public-spirited citizen. 

E. F. Blum, deputy register of deeds of Wyandotte County, owes 
his nativity to Illinois, and came to Wyandotte County, Kas., in 1857. 
Here he was reared and received his education in the common schools. 
At the age of fourteen years he embarked in the mercantile business 
and continued this until 1S72, when he entered the employment of the 



J^l 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



519 



Union Pacific Eailroad,with whicli he remained ten years, in a clerical ca- 
pacity. After this he returned to the mercantile hnsiness for himself, and 
carried this on till 18S7, when he was appointed chief deputy recorder of 
deeds. This position he has carried on ever since, has charge of all 
the office work, and is a most competent man for that position. He is 
a very popular man and a probable candidate for office. He has 
been a resident of Wyandotte County, or rather this city, for thirty- 
three years on August U, 1890, and the confidence which the people 
have in him is therefore intelligently placed, for they have had every 
opportunity to judge of his character and qualifications. He is a son 
of Frederick and Henrietta (Jungk) Blum, both natives of Germany, 
the father of Bavaria and the mother of Saxony. Of the seven chil- 
dren born to the above union, all are now alive and five are residing 
here. The father died in September, 1866, of blood-poisoning, and 
the mother died in September, 1879, of sunstroke, aged forty-eight 
and fifty-five years respectively. They were members of the German 
Lutheran Church. Mr. Blum is a member of the I. O. O. F., the 
A. F. & A. M. and the K. of P. In politics he is a Democrat. He 
was married to Miss Ida M. Young, in Middletown, 111., and to them 
were born two children: Edward Young and T. S. Mr. Blum is a 
most complete record-keeper, and will in all probability, fill that posi- 
tion for many j'ears longer. 

August Boeke is a native German, and in 1858 became a settler of 
Wyandotte County, Kas. At that time he was almost penniless, but 
he succeeded in obtaining employment in the saw-mill belonging to 
Wood & Betton, remaining with them until 1860, when he and Gus 
Rieke began the manufacture of shingles, a calling which they followed 
until the spring of 1861, when he abandoned this business to engage 
in farming on rented land. He succeeded so well that in 1863, in 
company with his brother, Henry, he purchased 160 acres of land in 
Section 19, which they cleared and farmed successfully until 1887, 
when they sold 102 acres, retaining fifty-eight acres. This land is now 
known as the West End Addition. At the time they purchased it from 
George Big Knife, an Indian, they paid him $6 per acre, and when 
they sold it they received $500 for it. After selling out, August Boeke 
purchased his present handsome residence, and the view from the same 
is very extended and beautiful. During his early life here he came in 
constant contact with the Indians, they being the owners of all the land 
in this section, and as he was compelled to suffer many privations and 
hardships, he fully deserves the easy life which the future promises. 



9 "V 



Mr. Boeke is a kind and accommodating neighbor, and commands tbe 
hearty liking and respect of all who know him, for he is upright in all 
his dealings, is enterprising in his views, and is thoroughly public 
spirited. He was born in Leippe Detmoldt, Germany, September 15, 
183(i, and is the fifth of eight children born to Mina and J. (J. Boeke, 
and from the time he was old enough to work until he attained the age 
of nineteen years, his time was devoted to assisting his father on the 
farm. He then crossed the Atlantic Ocean with his sisters, Charlotte 
and Mina, and with them went to -Jacksonville, HI., but at the end of 
two years removed to Kansas City, Mo. In 1801 Mina was married 
to Anton. Shirline, of Kansas City, Mo. , and Charlotte wedded An- 
drew Geiger, and is living in Wyandotte County. In 1875 Mr. Boeke 
was married to Henrietta Jasper, a native of Germany, her birth oc- 
curring there in 1852, and to them three children have been born: 
Mary, Anna and Augusta. The family are members of the German 
Lutheran Church, and in his political views he is a stanch Republican. 

August W. Boeke was born in Kansas City, Mo. , September 16, 1860, 
but his parents, Henry and Henrietta (Walker) Boeke, were born in 
Germany, were married in Kansas City, Mo., in 1851), and of a family 
of five children born to them, four are now living, of whom August W. 
is the eldest. Both parents are living and are residents of Wyandotte 
County, to which place they came when August was quite small and 
now, as then, are residing near Argentine. August W. Boeke was 
given fair advantages for acquiring an education, and these advantages 
he improved to the utmost, and at the age of seventeen years he gradu- 
ated from Spalding's Commercial College of Kansas City, Mo., and 
the following year from the high school of the same place, and at the 
age of eighteen years took a position as an assistant engineer in Kan- 
sas City, Kas., continuing in this capacity two years. His technical 
education was obtained from a private tutor. In 1883 he was ap- 
pointed deputy surveyor of Wyandotte County, but at the end of four 
years he was appointed city engineer, being reappointed in 1889, and 
is now discharging his duties faithfully and efficiently and in a man- 
ner highly commendable. He has shown his approval of secret organ- 
izations by becoming a member of the K. of P. He is also a member 
of the Engineers' Club of Kansas City, and politically, has always sup- 
ported the principles of the Republican party. His marriage, which 
occurred on May 1, 1889, was to Miss Nellie Burgoyne, of Kansas City, 
Kas. , and their union has resulted in the birth of a daughter, Henrietta. 

Charles Bohl, ex-councilman of the Second Ward, Kansas City, Kas. 



^ ® 
"i^i=^ 



>y 



1 



WYANDOTTE CO0NTY. 



521 



^ 



Mr. Bohl was elected first to the above position in 1884, to fill a va- 
cancy during Gen. Cornell's administration, serving up to the election 
of Mr. Martin in 1885. After the consolidation of the cities he was 
elected again at the general election, he being one of the consolidated 
cities' members. He was made chairman of some of the most 
important committees and did valiant and substantial service for 
the new city. During that time they granted the franchise of the 
Metropolitan Street Railroad. He championed the people's side 
and was assisted by ex-Mayor Hammon. The prime object was, 
the charge, ten cents fare from Kansas City, Mo., to this city, 
also the right of way over all bridges, which he refused, compelling 
them to build one of their own. He deserves the credit that is given 
him. The North -Western Railroad, Chelsea Park Street Railroad, 
also Armourdale Branch of same, also Riverview Branch of Elevated 
Road, and he got five bridges in the north end, costing over $50,000, 
also the grading and paving of Third Street to Seventh Street, Thirteenth 
Street was graded, north Fifth Street and Sixth Oakland Avenue were 
graded and paved, also numerous other improvements made. Tenth 
Street was opened, and during his term the general improvements made 
footed up to over $1,250,000. Mr. Bohl has ever taken an active in- 
terest in all that was of benefit to his city or to the county. He was 
born on December 17, 1S38, in Germany, and is the youngest of four 
children born to George Bohl, who was a native of Germany. The 
latter was a cabinet-maker by trade, and died in 1847, throwing his 
son Charles on his own resources at an early age. The latter remained 
in his native country until 1866, caring for his mother, who died in 
1885, and then came to the United States. He located in Indianapolis, 
Ind., in 1868, remained there eleven years following the trade of 
cabinet-maker, and moved to this city in August, 1878, where he has 
made his home since. He came here with very little means, but by 
saving and hard work he has accumulated considerable means. He 
was foreman in Armour's Packing House for ten years. In 1862 he 
was married to Miss Mary Tippert, who bore him two children: Charley, 
and Mary (who is the wife of Chris Biler). Mrs. Bohl died on December 
26, 1868, and in 1870 Mr. Bohl married his present wife, Miss Louisa 
Buckhorn, daughter of Chris Buckhorn. She was born in Marion 
County, Ind., in 1849, and they have one child — Louisa. Mr. Bohl is 
a Republican in his political principles, following the belief of Oliver 
P. Morton, the war governor of Indiana, and upon his ticket he was 
elected to his present office. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 



i \> ' 



Ml 



522 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



68, of which he is past chief patriarch of the encampment, and is also 
of the Germania No. 41, K. of P., organizing the above in 1881, and 
was its first chancellor commander, is an ancient member of the Druids 
and the I. O. of R. M. Himself and family are members of the German 
Lutheran Church. 

Rev. G. C. Booth, D. D. (colored), a leading educator and one of the 
prominent divines of Kansas, owes his nativity to Connecticut, his birth 
occurring in Farminglon on March 5, 1842. He received his pri- 
mary education in the home schools, graduated and fitted himself for 
college in the State Normal, and in 1877 finished a theological course 
at Yale. He worked on a farm for some time, when a young man, then 
taught school, and in 1864 went to St. Louis, where he organized the 
first colored school, and where he remained two years. From there he 
went to Quincy, 111., was connected with the schools at that place for 
two years, and then taught in different places, proving himself an in- 
structor of great ability. In 188') he came to Kansas City, Kas., to as- 
sume control of the Western University (colored), and has labored most 
persistently for the past four years to secure a perfect title to the tract of 
land at Quindaro, and to bring about such a condition of things as will 
make the establishment of a University for the education of the colored 
youth at this point a possibility. This he has done quietly and with- 
out any flourishing of trumpets. In fact but few people have known 
that any thing of the kind was being done. He has never taken a cent 
of money from any one to help in the prosecution of his purposes, and 
although many times the way has been dark, he has persevered till 
success has rewarded him and his people. By precept and example 
Mr. Booth has taught them that the best help that any person or proj- 
jeet can receive is self help, and the university that will be built will 
be conducted on that principle. He is a highly cultured gentleman 
and an orator of considerable ability. His course in regard to the 
management of the Western University, and as a citizen of this city 
for the past four years, shows him to be a man who is entitled to the 
respect and confidence of the people. His ideas concerning the 
development of his race are certainly correct, and every good citizen 
will extend him a helping hand whenever there is an opportunity to do 
so. Mr. Booth joined the Congregational Church when a young man, 
but afterward, in 1863, he joined the African Methodist Episcopal 
Church at St. Louis. Since then he has ministered to the spiritual 
wants of his fellow-men in different cities, and has met with very satis- 
factory results. He has had charge of churches at Quincy (111. ), Chi- 

"^^ — ^ ^ — .rf^ 



4 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 523 



cago, Detroit, New Haven (Conn. ), Springfield (111. ), Providence 
(R. I.), and at this place. He is a son of Alfred and Sophia Booth, 
natives of New England. There the father died when our subject was 
nine years of age, but the mother is still living, is seventy years of age 
and has been a member of the Baptist Church for fifty years. On 
April 15, 1865, Rev. Booth was married to Miss Edith Brown, daughter 
of Henry and Sarah I. Brown. She died in Springfield, 111., and left 
three children: Alice, Edward and Charles. In 1878 Mr. Booth took 
for his second wife Miss Penelope McGlinn, one of the first graduates 
of New Haven High School, and the first colored lady to teach in the 
schools of New England. This union resulted in the birth of two chil- 
dren: Grace and Ellen. 

Bowman Bros., grocerymen, Argentine, Kas. Among the leading 
grocery establishments of Argentine is that of Bowman Bros., which 
for the extent of its trade, the variety of its stock and the superiority 
of its goods, is entitled to more than ordinary prominence and recog- 
nition. This house was opened at Argentine in May, 1885, and though 
numbered among the more recent of the establishments of this city, it 
has, nevertheless, pushed itself into public notice, and already enjoys a 
favorable notoriety. The senior member of the firm, Charles E. Bow- 
man, was born in Utica, Oneida County, N. Y. , December 23, 1846, 
and is the son of John A. and Ann (Owens) Bowman, natives of the 
Empire State. The parents emigrated to Joliet, Will County, 111. , in 
1855, and there remained until 188-1, when they removed to Argen- 
tine, Kas. There they reside at the present time. The father has 
been a railroad man the most of his life. Their family consisted of 
five children, four now living: Ella E. (wife of James S. Matthews), 
Ida L. (wife of Charles M. Northup) and John F. (of the firm Bow- 
man Bros.). Charles E. Bowman attained his growth and received his 
education in Joliet, Will County, 111. (where the other children were 
also educated), and later entered the employ of the United States Ex- 
press ofiice at Joliet. There he remained two years. In 1870 he 
went to St. Joseph, La., and was there postmaster for four years, at 
the same time keeping books for a mercantile firm. Later he was 
employed in the Custom House at New Orleans for one year, was deputy 
sheriff for one year, and deputy tax collector for the same length of 
time, spending about fourteen years in the South. He also spent one 
year at Alton. 111. , where he was in the employ of the United States 
Express Company. In March, 1885, be came to Argentine, Kas., and 
here he has since been in business. He has been a member of the city 



^- 



lL^ 




council and is the present city treasurer. He is also agent for the 
Pacific Express. He was united in marriage in 1881 to Miss Emma 
B. Richardson, a native of Illinois, who bore him two children: Clara 
E. and John R. Mr. Bowman is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
Ben Hur Lodge No. 322, of which he is secretary, and is one of the 
enterprising and progressive men of Argentine. John P. Bowman 
was married in 1887 to Miss Kittie Scharff, a native of Logansport, 
Tnd. , and they have one child — Neatie M. Mr. Bowman is also a 
member of the same lodge in Masonry as his brother, Charles E., and 
both brothers are members of the Eastern Star Lodge. John F. came 
to Argentine in 1885, from Joliet, 111., where he was engaged in mer- 
chandising for two years, and he also filled the position of deputy 
county treasurer of Will County for two years. He has been a mem- 
ber of the Argentine City Council for one term. 

Dr. Alvin Boyce, physician, Argentine, Kas. This young, but very 
successful, medical practitioner was born in Weatherstield, Vt., on 
June 1, 1860, and comes of an old and representative family. He was 
reared in a small village in his native State, and attended the public 
schools until fifteen years of age, after which he went to Winchendon, 
Mass. There he studied medicine until twenty- four years of age, and 
in 1884 went to Chicago, where he took his first course of lectures, 
graduating in 1888. He first began practicing at El wood. Neb., but 
remained there only about fifteen months, and in 1888 came to Argen- 
tine, Kas., where he has since been in active practice. He is a mem- 
ber of the Kansas State Medical Society, and of the Homoeopathic 
Medical Society, of the State of Kansas, and is physician for four of 
the following societies: L O. O. F., A. O. U. W., Iron Hall, Equita- 
ble Aid Union, and Modern Woodmen. He is a leading member of 
the Baptist Church, and has been superintendent of the Sabbath- 
school for about two years. He was married in May, 1889, to Miss 
Eva Kendrick, of Vermont, and is the father of one child — Ariel K. ' 
Mrs. Boyce is also a member of the Baptist Church. The Doctor has 
taken a great interest in building uj) his church, and in the promo- 
tion of the Sabbath -school, besides being identified with other leading 
organizations, in which his name figures quite prominently. He gradu- 
ated at Hahnemann Medical College. The Doctor is cut out for his 
chosen profession, which has been amply shown by his flattering suc- 
cess since residing in this city. His parents, William B. and Helen 
D. (Damon) Boyce, were natives of New Hampshire and Vermont, be- 
ing of English and Welsh descent, and now live in Massachusetts. 



^i 



te- 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 525 



Patrick Bradish, a resident of Section 1, Wj^andotte Township, 
Wyandotte County, Kaa. , is both a practical farmer and a horticultur- 
ist. He was born iu the old city of Limerick, Ireland, in 1812, and 
was the fourth of a family of nine children, three daughters deceased 
ere Mr. Bradish was born, and following his birth were Stephen (de- 
ceased), Thomas (deceased), John (residing in Kansas City, Kas., en 
gaged in railroading in the Union Pacific shops), Michael (is a farmer, 
residing in Wyandotte County), and Lawrence (who resides in Colorado, 
employed with the Santa Fe Railroad, and is the youngest in the family). 
The parents were natives of the Emerald Isle, and are now deceased. 
Patrick Bradish received his early education in the old subscription 
schools, and he is a stanch friend of all good educational institutions. 
He commenced life for himself when about twenty-eight years of age, 
without a dollar, but with a pair of strong and willing arms and a deter- 
mination to succeed. He was married in the spring of 1840 to Miss 
Bridget McTierney. a native, also, of Ireland, and eight children blessed 
this union: John (died at the age of eight years), Bridget (died at the 
age of eight years), Michael (is a farmer and horticulturist in Wyan- 
dotte County), Thomas (died at the age of three years), John (died at 
the age of two years), Stephen (resides at home with his i)arents, and is 
a well-educated young gentlemen; he follows the occupation of a farmer 
and horticulturist, and expects to make that his future avocation), and 
Thomas (who resides at home, and who, also, is well educated; he is 
also a farmer and gardener, and the youngest in the family). Mr. 
Bradish has always supported the principles of true Jeffersonianism, 
and cast his first pi-esidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He has 
always taken an active part in politics, and is a man who supports men 
of honor and integrity, which idea he has instilled into the minds of his 
boys. Mr. and Mrs. Bradish are devout members of the Catholic 
Church, Kansas City, Kas., and they have ever contributed to all be- 
nevolent institutions which have been to them for their worthy consid- 
eration. This worthy couple emigrated to Wyandotte County in the 
summer of 1857, when the county was in its primitive condition, and 
at a time when Kansas City, Kas. , had hardly fifty residents, and has 
lived to see the population grow to 38,000. Land that at that time 
was worth $6 per acre is now valued at from $700 to $1,000 per 
acre. Mr. Bradi-sh has fifty-four acres of excellent land, on which he 
raises fruit and grain, and has comfortable buildings of all kinds, all 
the result of hard labor and honesty. 

Judge I. F. Bradley is a rising young attorney of Kansas City, 



>C ^ 



v^^ 



:[^ 



526 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Kas. , and as lie possesses a thorough knowledge of legal lore, and is 
honorable and upright in all his dealings, he fully deserves the success 
which he is now enjoying. He was born al Hazelwood Hall, near 
Cambridge, Saline County, Mo., September 8, 1862, and although he 
received a very limited education in his jouth, he was anxious to ob- 
tain a good education, and to this end saved his earnings and in time 
entered the Lincoln Institute at Jefferson City, Mo., from which he 
was graduated in 188?, after four years of earnest and jjersistent study, 
having taken a complete normal course. The following summer he 
canvassed for a book, but not liking that business, he determined to 
enter some profession, and with the idea that law offered an excellent 
jield for a young man to rise in the world, he, in the fall of the year, 
entered the Law School at Lawrence, Kas., and was graduated with the 
degree of LL. B. in 1887. He was admitted to practice in the courts 
of the State, and soon opened an office in Kansas City, and has since 
controlled a lucrative practice. He was the only colored man in his 
class at college, and held a high rank in the same, his average per 
cent being ninety-three and one-half. In April, 1889, he was elected 
to the office of justice of the peace for two years, and is now discharg- 
ing the duties of this responsible position, being a very popular jus- 
tice. He thoroughly understands the details of his profession, and 
bids fair to become eminent in this calling. 

William Barshfeld is the head butcher of the cattle-killing depart- 
ment of Armour's Packing House in Kansas City, and has been a resi- 
dent of this place for more than ten years. He is a native of Hesse 
Darmstadt, Germany, and when an infant was brought to America by 
his parents, and was reared in St. Louis, Mo. , acquiring a good com- 
mon-school education in that place. His father was a St. Louis 
butcher, and also conducted a meat-market at that place, and it may 
be truly said that the subject of this sketch was reared to that trade. 
After starting out in life for himself, he worked for the butchers of 
that city until 1860, at which time he went to Nashville, 111., but con- 
tinued to pursue his calling there until his removal to Kansas City, 
Kas. For some time after reaching this place he worked for Bigger 
& Nofsinger, then entered the employ of P. D. Armour, and since 
1879 has been one of his leading butchers, holding the position of 
foreman since 1884. He is very capable and exjaeditious, and no more 
fitting man for the place could be found, for he most thoroughly un- 
derstands every detail of the work, and puts his knowledge into prac- 
tice. He is a man of family, having been married in Illinois to Miss 



^^ 



-^ >y 



-t^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 527 



M. A. Fei'vy, cand as a result seven childrea have been born to them: 
George W. , Henry R., Charles P., Emma, Jeanette, Mary and a son 
dead. Mr. Barshfeld is the owner of a comfortable and pleasant 
home at No. 400 Everett Street, Kansas City, Kas. , and being pleased 
with the city and surrounding country, he expects to make this his fut- 
ure home. ■ He is a patron of education, and is giving his children 
good educational advantages. Politically he supports Democratic 
principles, and socially he belongs to the K. of P. and the A. O. U. 
W. He was born on September V2, 1848, and is a son of George and 
Catherine (Seffin) Barshfeld, the former of whom died at the age of 
seventy-live years, the latter being still alive. They have two sons 
and two daughters, one son and two daughters beiog residents of 
St. Louis. 

Jacob M. Broadhurst, councilman of the Fourth Ward, Argen- 
tine, Kas. The name of Broadhurst is one of the most influential in 
Argentine, and is one of the most respected by this community. He 
was born in Clay County, Mo., on July 24, 1857, and is the third in 
a family of nine children, born to Alfred and Elizabeth (Fanbion) 
Broadhurst, natives of Tennessee. Jacob M. Broadhurst was early 
trained to the duties of the farm, grew to manhood in his native 
county, and received a common education in the country schools. He 
tilled the soil with fair success in Clay County until 1874, when he 
emigrated to Johnson County, Kas., and there he remained until 
1889, when he came to Wyandotte County. He has been a resident 
of this State since 1874, and has followed different pursuits, teaming 
for some time at Armourdale, and after coming here was engaged in 
the grocery business for some time. In 1890 he was elected council- 
man of the Fourth Ward of Argentine, on the citizens' ticket, and is 
a Democrat in his political views. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, South, and is liberal in his support of all enter- 
prises for the good of county, or any charitable or benevolent move- 
ment. Mr. Broadhurst was married, in 1879, to Miss Mary Hundley, 
a native of Leavenworth, Kas., born on May 24, 1859, and the daugh- 
ter of William Hundley. The fruits of this union have been fotu- 
children, who are named as follows: Delia, Ressie, Roy and C. Essie. 

Michael L. Brophy, dealer in staple and fancy groceries, Rose- 
dale, Kas. ' ' The food we eat " is a vitally important question, and one 
which concerns the happiness and welfare of every man, woman and 
child. It is but natural to suppose that the best groceries are to be found 
in those establishments which transact the largest business. One of the 



-f^ 




finest groceries in Rosedale is that conducted by Mr. Brophy, who 
keeps everything usually found in a first class house. Mr. Brophy is 
an Irishman by birth and American by adoption. He was born 
in Queen's County, Ireland, thirty-seven years ago the 9th of last 
April (1890), and is the son of Mark and Ann (Coragan) Brophy, both 
natives of the same county as their son. His mother died there in 
1863, but his father is still living and is a prosperous farmer of his 
native county. Michael L. Brophy secured a fair education in the 
schools of his native county, and when seventeen years of age left Ire- 
land to seek a new home in America. After reaching this country he 
located first in Meriden, Conn., and worked in the glass works in that 
place for three years. He then went to Milwaukee, Wis., remained 
in that State about a year, and then made up his mind to return to 
the old country, which he did, remaining there about two years. He 
again came to America, landed in New York City, where he made his 
home for two years, and where he was engaged in the retail liquor 
business. In 1879 he came West and settled in Rosedale, Kas. , en- 
gaged in the barb- wire fence business for two years, and for three 
years built wrought-iron fence also, and in 1885 branched into the 
grocery business. He has an excellent trade, and while in this house 
can always be found the best, it may also be stated, with equal truth, 
that here, too, can be bought the cheapest, a fact which has consider- 
ably contributed to the store's success. The second year he was in this 
city he was on the police force, and in 1889 he was treasurer of the city. 
In 1880 he was married to Miss Johanna Harrington. Mr. and Mrs. 
Brophy have a very interesting family, consisting of four children: The 
eldest, Annie M. ; next, Johanna E. and Julia; then comes the pet of the 
house, Mark Bernard (now in his fifth year). Mr. Brophy has been 
for some time past a Forester, and in his political principles is a Re- 
publican. He is a prominent and enterprising citizen. 

Thomas Brosnan, stone contractor (Armourdale), Kansas City, Kas. 
It is a recognized fact that among those who have made their home in 
Wyandotte County, the men of foreign birth have contributed their 
full share to the development and prosperity of a community known 
as one of the best in this portion of the State. And it is also apparent 
that those of Irish nativity have occupied no inferior position in all 
matters tending to the improvement and continued progress of Wyan- 
dotte County. Born in County Kerry, Ireland, Thomas Brosnan ob- 
tained his early education in a national school on his father' s farm, 
and while yet young was taken by his uncle, now Canon Brosnan, of 



^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 529 



Cahei'ceveen, County Kerry, who is also the originator of the idea of 
erecting a memorial church to Ireland's faithful son, the liberator, 
Daniel O'Connel, in his native town Caherceveen. When taking 
Thomas in charge. Father Brosnan was curate in Millstreet in County 
Cork, where he devoted a good deal of his time in educating both 
Thomas and his brother Jerry, the former had a natural turn for 
architecture, and was placed in the charge of Barry McMullin, one of 
the largest builders in South Ireland, where he learned architectural 
drawing, becoming thoroughly acquainted with all branches of the 
building trade. After an apprenticeship of seven years he, in June, 
ISTS, sailed for America, taking passage at Queenstown, and landing 
in New York City, where he worked at his trade for nine months. He 
then came to Cleveland, Ohio, and worked in the city, and along the 
lakes for the Government on light-house work for about five years, and 
then started for Houston, Tex. From there he went to New Orleans, 
Memphis and Vicksburg, where he settled down, but during the yel- 
low fever epidemic he was compelled to leave, going back to Ireland 
again to breathe his native air. He remained at his old home for 
about a year, and then returned to the United States, coming directly 
to Kansas City, Mo. , where he resided two years, engaged in contracting. 
In 1883 he removed to Armourdale, built his present business house, 
known as the Lone Elm House, also several other stores and dwellings, 
and has carried on business here ever since. Mr. Brosnan is a large 
stone contractor, owns a fine quarry, and also considerable town prop- 
erty. He certainly deserves credit for his enterprise, as he has ever 
been willing to advance the interests of his city. He attends strictly 
to his own business, meddles with no one in theirs, and is a first-class 
citizen. His brother, Patrick, is with him in the quarry business, and 
is also engaged in real estate. Patrick came over in 1884, and he 
and his brother do an extensive business. Jeremiah came with Thomas 
in 1873, and a sister, Minnie, crossed the ocean in 1888, and is house- 
keeper for these brothers, who also keep a lodging-house. Maggie 
came over in 1884, but returned to her home in Ireland. Elizabeth is 
in a convent in the Argentine Republic. The parents of Mr. Brosnan, 
Benjamin and Mary (Kelleher) Brosnan, are natives of Ireland, and 
there they still reside. They were the parents of a large family, four 
of whom ai-e in the United States. 

Lewis A. Brotherson was born in Denmark, April 11, 1840, being 
a son of Andrew J. and Anna Christina (Aagard) Brotherson, who 
were married about 1831, and became the parents of five children: 



530 HISTORY OF KANSAa. 



Hans L. , Bodel C. , Lewis A, , Andrew J. and Andy J. Bode] C. died 
when she was twenty years of age. Hans L. still resides in Denmark, 
but two of his sons came to America, and now live in Kansas City, 
Kas. The other members of the family also reside in Wyandotte 
County, Kas. Lewis A. and Andrew J., being residents of Kansas 
City, Andy J. being a fai-mer in the western part of the county. The 
I)Hrents of these children are both dead, the father having passed from 
life in 1871, and the mother in 1864. They were members of the 
Danish Lutheran Church, and were highly honored in the community 
in which they resided. The subject of this sketch spent his youth 
and early manhood in his native country, and between the ages of six 
and tifteen years he attended school, his attention being given to farm- 
ing from that time until he was twenty-one years of age. At the age 
of twenty-two years he secured the position of clerk in a general store, 
but at the end of three months he resigned it to enter the service of 
his country, which was then at war with Prussia, this being in 1804. 
He served four months, participating in a number of battles, and dur- 
ing this time was once captured and held a prisoner three days. Ui)- 
on leaving the army he returned to the same store in which he had 
formerly clerked, and here he continued to work until 1867. By this 
time the portion of Denmark in which he resided had been transferred 
to Prussia, and he was called upon to take the oath of allegiance to 
the Prussian Government, but firmly declining to do this ho was com- 
pelled to leave the country, which he did in Ajiril, 1867. On leaving 
his old home he went to Denmark proper, where he remained four 
years engaged in farming, after which he returned to his former home, 
and on April 20, 186U, was married to Miss Anna M. Browhn, starting 
with his wife, twelve days after their marriage, for America, embark- 
ing at Copenhagen on May 15, and landing at Quebec in the early part 
of June. They at once left that place for Jefferson City, Mo., but 
after a residence of two years in this city they removed to Kansas 
City, Mo., and a year later, or in 1872, came to Kansas City, Kas., 
where they have since made their home. On October 5, 1871, Mr. 
Brotherson entered the employ of the Armour Packing Company, and 
has remained with it continuously ever since, a period of nearly nine- 
teen years, which is proof positive of his faithfulness, and the high 
esteem in which he is held by his employers. Eighteen years of this 
time he has held the position of foreman. In the spring of 187'2 be 
purchased two vacant lots on the corner of North Third Street and 
Troup Avenue, and upon one of them, in the fall of the same yeai', he 

't'ls r- - spy 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 531 



built a dwelling-house, which he occupied as his home until 1889, but 
which he still owns. Upon the other, in 1889, he built a two-story 
brick business block, 24x60 feet, at a cost of $3,200, and since it has 
been completed has occupied the upper portion of it as a dwelling, 
the lower floor, since November, 1889, being devoted to groceries, of 
which his son, Andrew C, has charge, the room for four months after 
its completion being used as a drug store. Mr. Brotherson's marriage 
has resulted in the birth of live children: Andrew C, Mary (deceased), 
Matilda, Milford P. (who died in infancy), and Milford P. (named for 
the former). Mr. and Mrs. Brotherson are members of the Methodist 
Protestant Church, and the former belongs to the A. O. U. W. and 
K. of P. 

Wilber J. Bi'ouse, druggist, Armourdale, Kas. This prominent 
druggist of Armourdale was born in Pottawatomie County, Kas., on 
June 1, 1856, and comes of German ancestors, dating back to the 
great-grandfather, who emigrated to the United States at an early 
date and settled in Pennsylvania. The father of our subject, J. H. 
Brouse, was a native of the Keystone State, and was a sxiccessful agri- 
culturist. He emigrated to Ohio, thence to Chicago, 111., and in 
1855 to Manhattan, Kas., where he became the owner of a fine tract 
of land on which he now resides. He was married to Miss Josephine 
Arnold, a native of Ohio, and by this union became the father of six 
children, Wilber J., being third in order of birth. The children are 
named as follows: Harry A., Alfred H. subject, Frank D., Florence 
J. and L. P. Wilber J. Brouse was reared in Manhattan, Kas., and 
received a thorough education in Kansas State Agricultural College. 
After leaving school he was engaged in Government geological pur- 
suits in scientific resources under the direction of Prof. E. D. Cope, of 
Philadelphia, and in this he was engaged for about six years, travel- 
ing in different parts of the United States. He then was employed as 
a drug clerk in Wyandotte, Kas., and was there about two years. In 
1884 he embarked in the drug business for himself at Armourdale, 
where he still carries on business. He has been very successf li1, and 
is one of the most popular and reliable druggists in the city. He car- 
ries everything in the drug line, and one has but to visit his place to 
see his prosperity. He was married in 1887 to Miss Carrie E. Enochs? 
and two children are the fruits of this union: Maude and Mildred. 
Mr. Brouse is a member of the K. of P., also the A. O. U. W. He 
has been city clerk of Armounlale, aad a member of the Board of Ed- 
ucation, of Kansas City. 



William T. Brown has been a resident of Wyandotte County Kas., 
since May, 1879, and his example of earnest and sincere endeavor to 
succeed in life is well worthy the imitation of the rising generation. 
He is one of the successful grocers of this section, and his establish- 
ment is admirably conducted. He was born in Pike County, 111. , Decem- 
ber 28, 1838, to William and Sarah (Quinby) Brown, the former of 
whom was born in England, and the latter in Ohio. William Brown 
came to America ia early manhood, and was married in the Buckeye 
State, in 1818, shortly after which he removed to the State of Illinois, 
and after a brief residence in Morgan County, settled in Pike County, 
where he entered some Government land, and farmed for more than 
half a century. He was thoroughly honorable and upright, and had 
the respect of the entire community in which he lived. Of nine chil- 
dren born to himself and wife, the subject of this sketch was the 
eighth, and live are now living: Henry E., Mary A., Archibald 
Quinby, Lucinda, Patience, Collins B., Jacob B., William T. and 
Sarah J., of whom Henry, Archibald, Jacob, William and Sarah are 
living. The parents of these children died in the same house in 
Griggsville, Pike County, 111. , the former in 1879, and the latter in 
1881. The subject of this sketch attained manhood in his native 
county, and by turns labored on the farm and attended school until 
twenty years of age, or in 1859, when he came to Kansas and entered 
at the Fort Scott land office, eighty acres of laud in Lynn County, which 
he proved up and sold at the end of a year for double the sum he had 
paid for it. He then returned to his old home in Illinois, and in the 
town of New Salem he secured the position of clerk in a grocery store 
owned by J. C. Curtis, and in this he remained until May, 1861, 
when on the twenty-first of that month he entered the Union army in 
Company K, Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he 
served for three years. He entered as a private, but on July 3, 1861, 
he was promoted to sergeant, and in that capacity served until the ex- 
piration of his term of service, participating in the battles of Shiloh, 
Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga and Resaca, in all of which he dis- 
charged his duty in a manner becoming a loyal soldier. He accom- 
panied Sherman on his march to the sea as far as Rome, Ga. , by 
which time his term of enlistment had expired, and he was sent 
back to Chattanooga, where he was honorably discharged June 12, 
1864. He then returned to Pike County, 111., and spent a short time 
with his parents, but in the fall of 1864, went to Alton, 111., where for 
about six months he acted as a prison guard in the State Penitentiary 



*7I^ 



i "V 



.4ii^=^ ^ ^ "k, 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 533 



at that place. Retxixning to Pike County, he secured a position as 
clerk in a dry goods store belonging J. D. Philbrick at Griggsville, 
but at the end of six months returned to Alton, where he was em- 
ployed in a foundry and machine shop until 1869. During this time 
he was married. May 21, 1867, to Miss Sarah F. Merrill, who was born 
in New York City, July 16, 1844, a daughter of John and Lucy 
(Kellogg) Merrill. In 1869 Mr. Brown removed from Alton, 111., to 
Springfield, Mo., where he made his home for ten years, the first four 
years being employed in the Springfield Iron Works. There was 
manufactured by this establishment the grain thresher known as the 
' ' Star of the West, ' ' which Mr. Brown and is brother Collins, had 
patented in 1867. In 1872 he turned his attention to the grocery 
business, becoming the partner of Peter Imler, but the firm of Brown 
& Imler, lasted only one year, Mr. Brown then becoming sole pro- 
prietor. He continued that business in Springfield until May, 1879, 
when he removed his family and stock of goods to Kansas City, Kas. , 
and established a grocery on North James Street, but September 12, 
1887, he removed to No. 415 La Fayette Avenue, in Edgerton Place, 
where he had erected a good business building, 24x50 feet, in August, 
1887, and here has conducted a first-class establishment ever since. 
He still owns the property on North James Street, and a two story 
brick building 24x50 feet, at No. 300, which he erected in 1883. Be- 
sides this he has an excellent frame residence at No. 2072 North Fifth 
Street, which he had erected in the spring of 1887. His marriage 
has resulted in the birth of four children: Charles E. (born Novem- 
ber 23, 1868), Fred W. (born November 21, 1870), Martha H. (born 
September 28, 1873), and Harry W. (born May 11, 1875). Mr. and 
Mrs. Brown are worthy members of the Baptist Church, and also be- 
long to the Equitable Aid Union of America, Mr. Brown being a 
member of the G. A. K. He has been a life-long Eepublican, and 
the first year after the towns of Wyandotte, Armoiirdale and Kansas 
City, Kas., were consolidated, he was a member of the city council. 
He is an agreeable and social gentleman, and he and his family are 
among the very best citizens of the place. 

Joseph C. Brown has been a worthy citizen of Wyandotte County, 
Kas., since 1877, and since locating here he has devoted his attention 
to farming and small fruit-growing. He has half an acre in Con- 
cord grapes, one acre in raspberries, one acre in blackberries, one 
acre in strawberries, 400 apple trees, besides numerous peach, plum 
and cherry trees, forty acres in corn and besides this is the owner of 



'■ 






^* — ^ 

534 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



thirteen acres in Argentine, known as the Clinton Place, five acres in 
Mount Auburn and five acres for his home place. He started out in 
life for himself as a farm laborer with no means whatever, and first 
rented land, saving enough money to purchase his present place in 1880, 
paying for it $30 per acre. He is now worth nearly 150,000 and has a 
fine, comfortable residence and admirable out-buildings. He was born 
in West Virginia, December, 27, 1845, being the eighth of twelve chil- 
dren born to Joseph and Betsey (Steele) Brown, natives of Virginia, 
the former a farmer by occupation. At the age of sixteen years 
Joseph C. Brown enlisted in Company C, Sixteenth Regiment of Vir- 
ginia Cavalry, under Capt. John Hankins, Col. Ferguson's brigade, 
and the most of his service was in Virginia, where he with bis com- 
pany did some effective service. He did duty in Pennsylvania also, 
and although at one time captured and wounded, he managed to 
escape. He always kept a good horse, and was looked upon by his 
comrades and officers as a trustworthy and faithful soldier. He has 
experienced a great many hardships and privations during his career, 
but is now in a position to rest from his labors and enjoy the fruit of 
his early toil. After the war he returned to his native county, and 
there he made his home tintil his removal to Wyandotte County, Kas. , 
in 1877. He was married in 1868, to Miss Mary Barrett, but she 
died after three years of married life, and his second union took place 
in 1872, the maiden name of his wife being Eveline Ball, a daughter 
of Andrew Ball, a native of Russell County, Va. Mrs. Brown was born in 
1854, and has borne her husband eight children: Marabel, Sarah, 
Joseph, George, Emily, Roy, Lena, and an infant unnamed. Mr. 
Brown is a Democrat, and he and Mrs. Brown are members of the 
Baptist Church. Socially he belongs to the I. O. O. F., Argentine 
Lodge No. 44. 

Hon. Erastus D. Browne, farmer, Kansas City, Kas. Just at the 
western border of the city limits lies the farm of E. D. Browne, em- 
bracing ninety acres in his home place. This tract of land was origi- 
nally the farm of G. R. Clarke, chief of the Wyandottes, who, dying 
left it to his two children, Dick and Millie, and Mr. Browne became 
the owner of a portion of it in 1862. The old Indian house was the 
only one on it, and but little of the land was cultivated. Clearing 
it up, Mr. Browne began to turn his attention to horticulture, at one 
time having eight acres in vineyard, besides raising a great many ap- 
ples, peaches, etc. Clearing and cultivating has developed this farm 
into one of the finest in the county. Erastus D. Browne was born on 



s|V 




July 2(), 1828, in Granville, Washington County, N. Y., and is the 
son of Jonathan and Abbie (Everts) Browne, both natives of the Em- 
pire State. Jonathan was a commissioned otticer in the War of 
1812, enlisting just one month after his marriage, and participated in 
the battle of Plattsburg. He served out the term of his enlistment. 
His father, Jonathan Browne, and the latter' s brother, Solomon, were 
soldiers in the Ilevolutiouary War, and were captured. An officer of 
the British army commanded Solomon, who was biit a boy, to perform 
some menial labor, but he refused, and the officer repeated the same 
order, at the same time drawing his sword and threatening him with 
instant death if another word was returned. Jonathan, knowing his 
brother's courage and independent spirit, thrust a handkerchief in his 
mouth, and thus cut ofP further words. Gen. Browne, of Western 
New York, is a brother of Jonathan and Solomon. Jonathan Browne, 
the father of our subject, reared a family of eleven children, nine of 
whom are living at the present time, and five of whom have lived out 
their three-score years and ten, and are still living. These children 
have adopted the custom of all meeting and celebrating the seventieth 
birthday of each as they attain that age. On February 19, 1890, the 
fifth gathering of this kind was celebrated at Evanston, 111. Charles 
E. Browne, an elder brother of E. D., is ranked as one of the 
pioneers of Chicago, having settled in that place fifty-live years 
ago. He is now seventy-four years of age, and according to the Chi- 
cago Evening Post of May 28, 1890, his eyes are bright, his complex- 
ion florid and healthy, his hair and beard but slightly tinged with 
gray, his figure erect and commanding, and he looks nearer thirty-five 
than seventy-five. Hon. Erastus D. Browne, until seventeen years of 
age, enjoyed the advantages of a good common- school education, 
studying algebra and natural philosophy, the teacher only being able 
to ask the printed questions at the bottom of the page, and trust to 
the perspicuity of her pupil to answer correctly. In 1845 Mr. Browne 
came west to his two older brothers, Jonathan and Charles, also Fay- 
ette S., who were in Milwaukee, and afterward his father came to that 
town, and securing a farm near by, resided there until his death, in 
1858. After studying law, Erastus was admitted to the bar in 
1855, Judge Levi Hubbell presiding, and he then practiced there 
with his younger brother, E. L. Browne, until 1858, when he came to 
Wyandotte County. He had invested several thousand dollars in 
Quindaro property, and here he practiced law three or four years. Dur- 
in£^ the next few years the boom died out, many of ti^e citizens left, 












536 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



and Mr. Browne turned his attention to fruit-growing for a living. 
About 1861 he was made township trustee, and shortly afterward he 
served as probate judge. He was unanimously nominated for superin- 
tendent of public instruction by the State convention that nominated 
Senator Ingalls for lieutenant-governor, but owing to a factional fight, 
the entire ticket was beaten. Mr. Browne has the satisfaction of 
knowing that biit seventeen votes of his own county were cast against 
him. He was always a bitter enemy of Jim Lane, and fought him on 
all occasions. Though a Union man all the way through, he took no 
active part in the war, except to repulse Gen. Price at Blue and West- 
port. This was the beginning and end of his military career in the 
Civil War. He served in Col. Newly' s regiment of Illinois Volun- 
teers, and his first lieutenant was Judge Murry F. Tuley. of Chica- 
go. On August 2, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie 
Griswold, daughter of Hiram Griswold, from Columbia County, N. Y. , 
a prosperous farmer and merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Browne are the 
parents of two bright boys, Griswold and Erastus, aged ten and eight 
years, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Browne affiliate with the Presby- 
terians in religious matters. He joined the Odd Fellows in New York, 
but has not attended lodge for a number of years, because it has not 
been convenient to do so. In business Mr. Browne has been success- 
ful. When first coming to Quindaro he invested his all, several thou- 
sand dollars, in town lots there, and was left with town property on 
hand, and with the probability that the town had vanished. Getting 
enough loans together to purchase a farm, he engaged in the nursery 
business, which proved more fortunate than his previous speculation. 
His fruit-growing furnished a surplus, and he invested his savings 
judiciously, until now he owns property in Kansas City, Wyandotte, 
etc. He is also president of the West Side Railroad Company. The 
plan was conceived in 1888, and securing a franchise it was incor- 
porated the same year. The fi-auchise changed hands, and under the 
new regime the work will be actively pushed to completion. There 
will be on the present road three and a half miles, and the power- 
house will be sufficient to run twenty five to twenty-eight acres covered 
with timber. 

Dr. Greenbury H. Browne is a highly successful physician and 
surgeon of Kansas City, Kas. , and although he has only resided here 
since 1883, he has already become well known. He was born in Brook- 
ville, Md., February 12, 1858, a son of Thomas W. H. Browne, who is 
a farmer and merchant by occupation. He was married to Miss Harriet 



\^ *> ^ 



^ 



'^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 537 



M. Johnson, and by her became the father of two children : Greenbury 
H , and Mary E. G. (who resides with her parents in Brookville). Dr. 
Greenbury H. Browne spent his boyhood in his native town, and at 
the age of thirteen years he entered Howard University of Washing- 
ton, D. C. , which he attended five years, completing the sophomore 
year, then returned to his home to take up the calling of a teachei-, 
which he continued to follow in the vicinity of Brookville for two 
years, after which he clerked for one year in his father's store. 
Meanwhile he had taken up the study of medicine, and while employed 
as a teacher and clerk his leisui-e time was devoted to the study of 
medical books. At the age of twenty-one years he entered the med- 
ical department of Howard University, and there remained for three 
years, gi-aduating March 6, 1882, with honors, making 100 per cent 
upon the final examination in every branch except one, and in that 
received 99| per cent. He was an exemplary student, and as a result 
stood at the head of his class and had the esteem of all the students 
as well as his instructors. For a few months after graduating he 
practiced in Freedman's Hospital at Washington, D. C, after which 
he returned to his old home at Brookville, where he practiced for 
nearly a year, coming in the fall of 1883 to Kansas City, Kas., arriv- 
ing on September 10. He immediately opened an office and entered 
actively upon the practice of his profession, and owing to his un- 
doubted ability, he has received calls from all parts of the county, his 
practice extending over a large area. Miss Alice M. Taylouer, who 
was born in Crestline, Ohio, December 25, 1865, became his wife De- 
cember 24, 1884, she being a daughter of Wilburne and Harriet A. 
(Williams) Taylouer, the former of whom was half French and half 
Cherokee Indian, and the latter seven-eighths white. Mrs. Browne is 
a teacher by profession, and was a graduate of the Springfield (111. ) 
High School. She has taught in the schools of this city, Kansas City, 
Kas., for five years, and for three years was the first assistant in the 
Lincoln School. Her marriage with Dr. Browne has resulted in the 
birth of one child, Howard R. M., born November 28, 1885. Dr. 
and Mrs. Browne are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and he is a Mason, and in his political views is a Republican. He 
served as a member of the school board of Kansas City, Kas., from 
August, 1887, until August, 1889, and proved a competent man for the 
place. He is a member of the Kansas State Medical Society, and 
although a young man he has built up a large practice, and his pro- 
fessional standing is thoroughly established. He occupies a handsome 

34 

^e ^ -« eF 



^^=^= — " " ^ 



588 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



residence at No. 1015 Freeman Avenue, which he erected in 1888, 
which, together with the lots on which it stands, cost him 15,000.. 
The building is entirely modeled by himself, and is a model of conven- 
ience and elegance. 

Charles E. Bruce, county clerk, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Bruce, 
the popular county clerk of Wyandotte County, Kas., was born in 
this county in 1863, and the confidence which the people have in him 
is therefore intelligently placed, they having known him from boy- 
hood, and have had every opportunity to judge of his character and 
qualifications. His birth occurred in Wyandotte, or the old town of 
Kansas City, Kas., and he is the son of James H. and Harriet (Mc- 
Cord) Bruce. The father was born in New York, and was by occu- 
pation a hardware merchant. He moved to Kansas City, Kas., in 
1861, organized a company in Wyandotte County, and was captain of 
the same in the Federal army all through the war, operating in Kan- 
sas, Arkansas and Mississippi. He afterward returned to Kansas 
City, Kas., and was quite successful as a hardware merchant at that 
place. In 187-1 he moved away, and is now a resident of Wisconsin. 
The mother of our subject died when he was but a year old. Although 
he attended the common schools, Charles E. Bruce was mainly self- 
educated, and is to-day a man well informed and familiar with all the 
current topics of the day. He learned telegraphy, and worked for 
nine consecutive years for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, 
and two years for the Western Union Telegraph Company. He had 
charge of the Missouri Pacific oi3fices at Kansas City, Mo. , for many 
years, and followed this business until elected to the office of clerk of 
the county in the fall of 1889. He was the only Republican on the 
ticket who was elected, and is one of the youngest officers in the 
county. He owns considerable real estate in the city. Mr. Bruce' s 
career is a reflection on the old adage that " Where there's a will there's 
away." He "let no spot of idle earth be found, but cultivated the 
genius of the ground." He has been eminently successful in all his 
undertakings, and has the confidence of all the best people of Kansas 
City, Kas., and of Wyandotte County. He is accommodating and 
gentlemanly in his intercourse with the public, and is eminently 
suited for the position he now holds. 

Judge Charles F. Buchhalter, grocer, Armourdale. The grocery 
trade is one of the most important departments of commerce all the 
world over, representing as it does the staple article of consumption. 
In Armourdale it is somewhat extensively engaged in, the establish- 



r 



"^i 



:^ 



^1 

1 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



539 



ments being of a generally representative character. Prominent 
among those engaged in it is Judge Charles F. Buchhalter, who was 
born in Germany on January 20, 1852. His parents, Frederick and 
Cathrine (Shimpp) Buchhalter, were both natives of Germany, and 
came to the United States in 1854, locating at Reading, Penn, The 
mother died in that State in 1883, and the father, still living, resides 
near Reading, Penn. He has made farming his principal occupation, 
and has made his home in the Keystone State. Of the seven chil- 
dren born to his marriage, five of whom are living, Judge Charles F. 
is the eldest. The latter was but an infant when he came with 
his parents to America, and was principally reared in Lancaster Coun- 
ty, Penn., where he was educated in the common schools. He as- 
sisted his father on the farm until sixteen years of age and then 
learned the hatter's trade in Mohnsville, Penn., carrying it on for six 
years. He also worked at his trade in Reading. In 1876 he came west 
locating on a farm in Allen County, Kas., but subsequently he removed 
to Humboldt, Kas., where he engaged in the real estate business, 
remaining there until 1882. The same year he returned to Europe 
and traveled through the land of his birth on a real estate lookoiit. 
On his return to the United States he located in Wyandotte, but later 
removed to Armourdale, Kas., where he has been engaged in the real 
estate and insurance business. In the spring of 1884 he was elected 
police judge and resigned August 5, 1885, to accept the post-office, 
being postmaster under President Cleveland's administration. He 
resigned on November 14, 1888, and was released on May 23, the fol- 
lowing year. Since that time he has been engaged in the grocery 
business, and his trade is unquestionably one of the most successful in 
its line in the city, and from its very inception has enjoyed a reputa- 
tion consistent with its management. All that is handled is selected 
with the greatest care, and is sold at moderate prices. Judge Buch- 
halter is interested in what promises to be one of the greatest patents 
of the age, and which is known as the compressed air motor, it being 
now successfully utilized in Chesterfield, England. The Judge has 
some of the capitalists of Kansas City very much interested in this 
affair, and will soon try and have this power in that city. He was 
married in 1872, to Miss Sarah Weighkneoht, and they have one 
daughter, Ella N. , a graduate of Kansas City High School at fifteen 
years of age, and who was the youngest out of twenty-three, in the 
highest grade. The Judge is a member of the K. of P. 

Col. Allen Buckner is the superintendent of the institution for the 






;Rr 



^ 



540 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



education of the blind at Kansas City, Kas., and is a man possessing 
much public spirit, and of unimpeachable honesty. He was one of a 
family of children born to William and Nancy (Evans) Buckner, and 
was born in Clark County, 111. , October 8, 1830, his parents having been 
natives of North Carolina. They were taken by their respective parents 
from North Carolina to Illinois at an early day, and there they were 
reared, educated and married. The paternal grandparents of Col. 
Buckner were Virginians, and his maternal ancestors can be traced back 
to Scotland. Col. Buckner learned the details of farm life in his youth, 
and after becoming sufficiently fitted he taught one term of school, 
and at the age of twenty-four years he left the farm and entered the min- 
istry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and from 185-1: until 1861 
he was a member of the Illinois Conference, and his whole attention 
was devoted to ministerial work. July 20, 1861, he volunteered his 
services to the Union army, and was elected first lieutenant of Com- 
pany H, Twenty Fifth Illinois, and continued in this capacity with 
the same company and regiment until June, 1862, and was commander 
of his company at the battle of Pea Ridge, Ark., in the absence of the 
captain. In June, 1862, he returned to his home in Illinois, and helped 
to organize the Seventy-Ninth Illinois Regiment, of which, on July 
28, 1862, he was chosen major. He continued to hold this position 
until after the battle of Stone River, in which the colonel of the regi- 
ment was killed, and Maj. Buckner was appointed to succeed him by 
Gov. Yates. He then took part in the battles of Liberty Gap and 
Chickamauga, and at the latter battle was with Gen. Thomas on the 
left, where some of the best fighting of the war was done. Later he 
took part in the engagement at Missionary Ridge, was officer of the 
day, and had charge of Sheridan's skirmish line until the division 
reached the foot of the ridge; he there took command of his regiment, 
and was among the first to get over the Rebel breastworks on the sum- 
mit. He subsequently participated in the Atlanta campaign, and on 
May 9, 1864, at Rocky Face Ridge he was wounded by a ball which 
passed through his right side. He later had charge of his regiment 
at the battle of Franklin. At Nashville he was on the front line of 
of Sheridan's old division (2 — Fourth Army Corps) with three regi- 
ments (Twenty- Fourth Wisconsin, Seventy-Ninth and One Hundredth 
Illinois), when Gen. Thomas destroyed Hood's army. In June, 1865, 
he was mustered out of service at Springfield, 111. , with his regiment. 
Mr. Buckner, soon after he returned home, took up his residence at 
Douglas County, 111., and there once more began his ministerial labors. 



■f^ 



>^.- 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 541 



and in September, 1865, was appoiated presidiag elder, of the Paris 
(111.) District, a position he held two years. For the three and one- 
half years followino; he labored as a minister in Sangamon County, 
but in 1870 he came to Kansas, and for several years was a minister at 
Fort Scott and Em-eka, afterward presiding elder of Wichita and 
Hutchinson Districts, South Kansas Conferenoe; he was a mem- 
ber of the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
which met at Baltimore May, 1870. Since then he has been chap- 
lain of the State Senate eight years, and for three years was agent 
of Baker University at Baldwin. July 1, 1889, he was appointed 
superintendent of the institution for the education of the blind, and is 
now discharging his duties in an eminently satisfactory manner. He 
was married on August 26, 1856, to Miss M. E. Waller, by whom he 
has three daughters: Olive, Nellie and Laura. Byhisiirst wife he has 
a, son, Norton. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the G. A. R., 
and is a supporter of Republican principles. 

Chester Bullock, real estate dealer, Kansas City, Kas. The mag- 
nitude of the real estate interests in Kansas City, Kas., has enlisted 
the services of many of the most prominent citizens, and among 
the number is Mr. Chester Bullock, who is recognized authority as 
to present and prospective values, and counts among his customers 
many of the principal investors and property holders. He was born 
in Warren County, Penn., near the boundary line of New York in 
1827, and when but six months old the family moved into Chautau- 
qua County, N. Y. , on a farm near Jamestown, where he grew to 
manhood and received his education at the common school and James- 
town Academy. At an early age he entered into mercantile business 
under the tirm name of Weld & Bullock, in Jamestown, N. Y. , the 
firm doing a very large business for a number of years. He sold his 
interest to his partner, and then removed to Meadville, Penn., where 
he established the Empire Store, one of the largest and most success- 
ful stores in the country at the time. He continued in trade about ten 
years, then sold out and entered into the oil business at Parker's 
Landing and in Butler County, Penn. He, in company with Col. J. 
P. Bernton, of Philadelphia, and Maj. A. C. Hawkins, of Bradford, 
Penn., purchased the Graham farm and laid out and started the city 
of Petrolia, Butler County, Penn., and continued in the management 
of the real estate of said city until the spring of 1879, when he left 
for Leadville, Colo., as correspondent and in interest of the Ameri- 
can Queen, a society paper of New York City. He left for the West 






~5) V 



expecting to be absent about six weeks, but while in the mountains 
was caught in the whirl of mining excitement and remained in Colo- 
rado nearly three years. His mining venture was only fairly suc- 
cessful, inasmuch as one of the best locations, the title of which 
was in dispute and carried before the Interior Department at Wash- 
ington, D. C, when stronger political influence was brought to bear 
that decided the case against him. This mine has proved to be one 
of the best in the Leadville District, and now has nearly 12,000,000 
worth of lead and silver ore in sight. He returned East, went to New 
York City, and bought an interest in the paper for which he had been 
corresponding, biit not liking the business, soon sold out, and taking 
the agency of the National Cable Company for the West came to Kan- 
sas City, Mo., and remained with the company two years, when the 
foundations of the cable system of Kansas City, Mo., was laid. He be- 
came interested with Eobert Gillham and others in the Eiverview 
Cable Line, and came to Kansas City, Kas. , for the purpose of build- 
ing said road and assisting in other improvements here. He formu- 
lated the plans, laid out said road, and secured the donations of lands 
that gave life and started the building of the elevated road in 1886, 
the starting of the system that has given life and enterprise to the 
city that has since become the metropolis of the State of Kansas. He 
secured and located Chelsea Park at the terminus of the L road sys- 
tem, and under his management Chelsea Park was laid out and made 
attractive. He organized the company, located and built the Ken- 
sington Railroad leading from Grandview to Chelsea Park, thus com- 
pleting the loop in the L road system to and from Chelsea Park. 
He has spent much time during the past two years, with other gentle- 
tlemen, in the interest of a Western university, to be established and 
placed on lands west and adjoining Chelsea Park. His first wife was 
Miss Delphina Weld, of Warren County, Penn. ; second wife. Miss 
Addie M. Van Evera, of Ohio. He is fiom the old English family of 
Bullocks, the Bullocks of New York and Massachusetts are his 
nearest relatives. His principal business is real estate. In politics 
Mr. Bullock is a Republican of the true stamp. 

Colin Cable is a native of the city in which he now resides, his 
birth having occurred here on March 10, 1869. He is a successful 
young druggist of Kansas City, and his thorough knowledge of the 
business, together with necessary and natural qualifications for its suc- 
cessful carrying on, insures for him a promising future. His parents, 
Rufus E. and Fannie L. (McCurdy) Cable, are among the old and 



-f 



r 



boaored citizens of tbis city, tbeir settlement being made here in the 
spring of 1866. Colin bas tbus spent bis entire life here, and was 
formerly no less known as a straigbtforward, bonest and industrious 
youth than be is now known as an upright and prosperous young busi- 
ness man. He received his early education in the public schools of 
Kansas City and in Wyandotte Academy and graduated from tbis in- 
stitution at the age of sixteen years. As early as thirteen years of 
age he secured a position as clerk in a drug store, and so long as he 
attended school he was tbus employed during bis vacations. At the 
age of sixteen he entered the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, which 
he attended one year, then returned home and resumed bis position 
as clerk, continuing in the capacity of a di'ug clerk until October, 1889, 
at which time he engaged in the drug business for himself, having 
purchased the store in which he had formerly clerked. This estab- 
lishment is on the corner of Fifth Street and Washington Avenue, and 
is one of the neatest and best appointed in the city. By his courteous 
and accommodating manner and his desire to satisfy the public, he has 
built up an excellent trade, and being acquainted with so many, bis 
place of business is a favorite resort for his many fi-iends. He pos- 
sesses every necessary characteristic for a successful business career, 
and is known to be a thoroughly competent pharmacist and prescrip- 
tionist. Socially his standing is of the best. 

Elisha J. Camp, of the Camp Real Estate & Rental Company, of 
Kansas City, Kas., is one of the reliable agents in tbis section and is 
thoroughly posted on the value of real estate in this city and locality. 
He was born in Will County, 111., in 1858, but grew to manhood and 
was educated in Washington, D. C. His parents, John J. and Eliza- 
beth J. (Warner) Camp, were born in Hartford, Conn., and Lima, N. 
Y., respectively. The father was clerk of the Supreme Court of the 
District of Columbia for thirty years, or until his death, which oc- 
curred some eight months since, but is still survived by his widow, 
who makes her home in Washington, D. C. Elisha J. Camp graduated 
from St. Mary's College. Maryland, after which he entered the Colum- 
bia University of Washington City, and was graduated from the law 
department of this institution in 1878, after which he was with the 
firm of Edwards & Bassett for some time. He then became librarian 
of the Bar Association, but gave this up to become his father's deputy, 
in which capacity he served for one year, having previously served in 
that capacity some four or five years while a law student, then came 
west to Kansas City, Kas., which place he reached in the early part 






544 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



of 1880, and for a long time was in the mail service. After giving up this 
business he began working for the Husted Investment Company, an.! 
was the efficient manager of the real estate department. Upon entei- 
ing this office there was only one salesman, but when he left there were 
twenty live people employed and all were kept very busy. He opened 
an office of his own on May 1, 1890, and although he has only been 
established a short time, he has already built up a substantial business. 
He was married in 1884, to Miss Claude M. Nichols, a native of Ohio. 
He is a stanch Republican in his views, a member of the Episcopal 
Chiirch, and belongs to the National Union. 

John G. Carlson was born in Sweden on January 10, 1862, a son 
of Carl and Maria Johnson, being one of their four children: Anna. 
Sophia, John G. and Carl I, all of whom are living. The father of 
these children, who was a farmer by occupation, died in' Sweden in 
1878. John G. Carlson spent his life on his father's farm, and be- 
tween the ages of seven and fourteen years he attended school, ob- 
taining a fair education. At the age of eighteen years, in company 
with his younger brother, Carl I., they bade adieu to their mother and 
two sisters and started for America, and in the month of May, 1880. 
landed at New York, and went at once to Boulder, Colo., where a rela- 
tive of theirs was living. John G. worked upon a farm near that 
place for one season, after which he spent eight years in the mountains 
of Western ('olorado. at a place called Central City, and another 
called Black Hawk, both in Gilpen County. While in those places 
he was employed in stamp mills, but the last two years he spent as a 
clerk in a grocery store. During the school years of 1886-87 and 
1887-88, he was a student in Bethany College, at Lindsberg, Kas. , 
and during the summer of 1887. he was a student for three months in 
Spaulding's Commercial College, of Kansas City, Mo. In the month 
of October, 1889, he came to Kansas City, Kas., and in partnership 
with his brother, Carl I. engaged in the grocerj' business, and the firm, 
under the name of Carlson Brothers, has done a very prosperous 
business ever since. Their establishment is one of the representative 
ones of the kind in the city and is conducted in a good two-story 
brick building at No. 202 James Street, a desirable location. Their 
patronage is large and their store is considered an excellent place at 
which to do business. His brother Carl, who is in partnership with 
him, has been a resident of Kansas City, five years, and is a graduate 
of Spaulding's Commercial College. They are energetic and reliable 
business men, although they are young they have become well and 



^rv 







favorably known to the public. They are young men of excellent 
habits, courteous and agreeable, and besides establishing a large trade 
they have a large circle of warm friends. Their mother and two sis- 
ters came to America in 1889, the former being a resident of Kansas 
City, Kas. , and the latter of Kansas City, Mo. , Anna, now being the 
wife of Andrew Rydman. The entire family are members of the 
Swedish Lutheran Church. 

James T. Cassidy. Not without justice Mr. Cassidy is conceded to 
hold an enviable position among the prominent and successful mer- 
chants of Kansas City, Kas., and as a dealer of groceries is meeting 
with almost unparalleled success. He was born in the province of 
Quebec, Canada, February 15, 1845, and is a son of Archibald and 
Eliza (Brown) Cassidy, both of whom were born in Ireland, removed 
to America while single, and were married in Canada about the year 
1839. The paternal grandparents both died in Ireland, but their six 
children — five sons and one daughter — came to America, only one of 
whom is living, Charles Cassidy, who resides in Baltimore, Md. The 
mother of James T. Cassidy, came to America with her father and 
mother, William and Bessie (Taylor) Brown, when she was ten years 
of age. To Archibald Cassidy and his wife a family of ten children 
was born, their names being as follows: John A., Charles D., James 
T., William H., Jane, Mary A., Eliza, Eliza J., Margaret and Vic- 
toria. Jane and Eliza are deceased. The father of these children, in 
early manhood, taught a few terms of school, but later in life followed 
the pursuit of a farmer, and died in Canada in 1867. He was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a man who possessed 
many worthy traits of character. The subject of this sketch spent 
his youth on a farm in Canada, and at the age of eighteen years came 
to the United States, and after spending three years in a gun factory 
in Manchester, N. H., and some time in a turning factory, he went to 
Midland City, Mich., where for a few years he was engaged in the 
cigar and tobacco business. In 1871 he came to Kansas and spent a 
few months at Fort Scott, after which he went to Henry County, Mo. , 
where for four years he was engaged at farming. In 1875 he returned 
eastward as far as Monticello, 111., where, after farming one year, he 
engaged in the drug business in the town of Summit, which calling 
received his attention for two years. In 1878 he came to Kansas City, 
Mo., and during his three years residence there was engaged in the 
produce business. He was married there on May 15, 1880, to Miss Alice 
Muller, who is a native of Switzerland, born November 6, 185-1, a 



3?; 



k-. 



546 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



daughter of Jacob and Mary (Elmiger) Miiller, who still reside in 
their native land. Mrs. Cassidy was the seventh of nine children — 
five sons and four daughters — their names being: Joseph, Xaver, Yost, 
Mary, Anna, Vrenu, Aloyius, Alice and Kaspar, the latter being 
deceased. Mrs. Cassidy was the only member of the family to come to 
America. She crossed the ocean with an aunt in 1873 and in 1883 
removed with her husband, Mr. Cassidy, to "Wyandotte County, Kas., 
locating on a farm two miles west of Kansas City, Kas., where he 
resided two years. In 1884 he removed to the city and opened a 
grocery store on the corner of Centre Avenue and Fifth Street, and to 
this calling he has given his attention ever since with satisfactory 
results. In 1885 he removed his establishment to No. 700 North 
Sixtb Street, and here now holds forth. His marriage has resulted in 
the birth of five children: Francis Joseph (born February 24, 1881), 
Thomas Emmet (born April 15, 1883), Archibald Benedict (born 
December 27, 1885), Mabel A. (born October 30, 1887), and Leouetta 
(born February 13, 1889). Mr. Cassidy is a Republican, and socially 
belongs to the I. O. O. F. 

P. H. Cassin, one of the oldest contractors of Kansas City, Kas., 
came to this city in the fall of 1875, and has continued to do a flour- 
ishing business up to the present date, doing nearly all the culvert 
and bridge work in this county. His birth occurred in Ballingarry, 
Ireland, March 17, 1850, he being this son of James and Johanna 
(Powers) Cassin. The father was a contractor and builder, working 
principally for the royalty, being engaged by Lord Orman to build 
bridges on his estate. The subject of this sketch at an early age 
ceased to attend school, receiving in consequence only a moderate 
amount of education. He learned his trade in the old country, serv- 
ing as an apprentice for five years. Coming to the United States in 
1872, he setlled in Philadelphia, Penu. , where he lived for a period of 
seven years, and from there went to ^Vashington, D. C, where he was 
engaged in the war and navy departments, and spent sixteen months 
in building the Georgetown College. From there he came to Kansas. 
He married Miss Jane Stanley, daughter of James Stanley, and who 
was boi'n in Ireland. This union was blessed with four childen, viz. : 
James, Johanna, Mary and Joseph. In politics Mr. Cassin is in sym- 
pathy with the Democratic party. He is a member of the J. A. O. H., 
of which he is marshal. Both himself and family are members of St. 
Mary's Catholic Church, and devote much attention to aiding religious 
causes. Mr. Cassin is an enterprising, jiublicspirited man, having 



>^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 547 



contributed greatly to the advancement of the community in which he 
resides. Among men of every nation and class there is a feeling of 
respect for those who by their own exertion and by means of their 
natural ability have won for themselves prominent places in commer- 
cial circles. 

Allen Chadwick, postmaster, Armourdale, Kas. Mr. Chadwick, 
one of the esteemed and highly respected citizens of Armourdale, was 
born in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, on October 5, J 836, and 
is the son of Cyrus and Elizabeth (Walker) Chadwick, the father a 
native of Vermont and the mother of Ohio. Both families are of 
English descent, and the Walker family was among the first settlers 
of Hamilton County, Ohio. The paternal great-grandfather was a 
captain in the Revolutionary War, and the grandfather, Bartholomew 
Chadwick, was born in Massachusetts and was a member of the Ver- 
mont Legislature. The latter emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1820, 
was a farmer by vocation, and died in Hamilton County, Ohio. The 
father of our subject was also a farmer and also passed his last days in 
Ohio as did the mother. Their family consisted of six children — three 
sons and three daughters: W . W. (resides in Leavenworth County), 
Cynthia (deceased), Rebecca (wife of J. T. Williamson), Mary J. (de- 
ceased), and D. J. Allen Chadwick, the second in order of birth of the 
above-mentioned children, received his education in the common schools, 
and assisted his father in cultivating the soil. In August, L86'2, he was 
filled with a patriotic desire to aid his country, and was shipped as a 
seaman or a navy member, serving on the gunboat, the United States 
steamer " Cincinnati." He was on this boat when she sank at Vicks- 
burg, having thirteen shots through her hull. He was then trans- 
ferred to the '• Mortor " boat at the siege of Vicksburg, and the con- 
cussion of the same caused a deafness in his right ear, the effects of 
his firing the gun. He was also on the gunboat, " Lexington " in the 
service. He was discharged from the hospital Pinkney at Memphis, 
Tenn., in 1863, and after returning heme resumed his farming. Sub- 
sequently he was appointed clerk in the post office at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and held the position for eight years and fifteen days. In 1886 he 
came to Kansas City, Kas., engaged in the real estate business, and 
this carried on iintil appointed to his present office in May, 1889. Mr. 
Chadwick was the first jDostmaster appointed in Kansas after Harri- 
son's election. He was married in 1857 to Miss Emma Compton, a 
native of Ohio, by whom he has two children: Alice (wife of Hon. G. 
L. Coates), and Clara (wife of Ira D. Washburn, of Cincinnati, Ohio). 



s ^ 



■^ ^^^ r±=A±^ 



548 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



He is a Thirty-second Degree Mason or a Scottish Kite, and a charter 
member of Israel Ludlow Post, of Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Edwin H. Chandler is a member of the firm of Teufel & Chandler, 
proprietors of a planing-mill at the northeast corner of Fourth Street 
and Oakland Avenue, Kansas City, Kas. , and was born in St. Lawrence 
County, N. Y., February 18, 1856, being a son of Nelson M. and 
Harriet E. (Wilkinson) Chandler, the former of whom was born in St. 
Lawrence County, N. Y., and the latter in England. She came to 
America with her mother when a very small child, her father having 
come a few months before, and here she was reared to womanhood. 
Her marriage with Mr Chandler took place in 1852, and to them a 
family of live children was born — four sons and one daughter: Charles 
W., Edwin H., John L., William W. and Harriet E., of whom the 
eldest and the youngest are deceased, three sons being now alive. The 
parents are still living; their home being in Ottawa, Kas., where they 
settled on May 12, 1869. Edwin H. Chandler resided in his native 
county until he was thirteen years of age, at which time he accompanied 
his parents to Kansas, and until twenty-two years of age he assisted 
his father on the farm and attended school alternately. He thus ac- 
quired an excellent education and at the above-mentioned age began 
teaching school, a calling he continued to follow for two years, a por- 
tion of his vacations being spent in attending normal school. Besides 
a thorou^gh knowledge of the common branches, he acquired an excellent 
insight into algebra, physical geography, botany, drawing and book- 
keeping. When examined for a certificate to teach he received a first- 
class certificate. In the spring of 1880 he went to Chicago, where, 
from April 17, 1880, until August 1, 1880, he was employed in a hard- 
wood lumber-yard for P. G. Dodge & Co., and from that time until 
April 16, 1888, was an employe of O. D. Wetherell, a lumber dealer 
and the proprietor of a planing-mill. In the spring of the last-named 
year Mr. Chandler went to Clear Water, Mo., where he bought a one- 
third interest in the Wayne Lumber Company, of which he was treas- 
urer one year, at the end of which time he disposed of his stock, taking 
as part pay, a stock of general merchandise at Clear Water, which he 
owned and conducted seven months and a half. In August, 1889, he 
disposed of his stock and returned to Ottawa, Kas., and after a visit 
of one month with his parents he came to Kansas City, Kas., and on 
October 1, 1889, purchased a half interest in his present establishment 
which is now netting himself and partner a good annual income. He 
is a pushing, enterprising and intelligent gentleman, and is doing ex- 

T 



J^l 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



549 



ceptionally well, financially. He was married on June 2, 1890, to Miss 
Emma Lynch, of Chicago, and although he and his wife have only re- 
sided in Kansas City for a short time, they have made many warm 
friends. 

Eli H. Chandler is the American manager of the English and 
American Mortgage Company (limited), and has been such since 1886. 
He was born, reared and educated in Delaware, receiving the advan- 
tages of a high-school training, afterward graduating in law, and was 
admitted to the bar in December, 1877. He came almost immediately 
to Kansas and first took up his abode in Topeka and for a number of 
years was engaged in practicing law there, after which he went to Lon- 
don, England, and organized the present company of which he has 
since been the efficient manager. He is one of the stockholders and 
directors of the same, and the business of the company could be in no 
more efficient hands than his. He is wide-awake, enterprising and 
thoroughly honorable in all his dealings and has built up a reputation 
that goes far toward making him successfiil. He has always supported 
the men and measures of the llepublican party, and has always been 
interested in local politics in the different communities in which he has 
resided. His ancestors came from England about 1688, and are of old 
Quaker stock. The most of the male members of the family have 
been worthy tillers of the soil, but some have become eminent profes- 
sional men. Mr. Chandler has recently received the appointment of 
vice consul for Great Britain at Kansas City, an honor that is rarely 
accorded to other than English subjects. 

Dr. J. W. Charles, physician and surgeon, Armoiudale, Kas. Dr. 
J. W. Charles is one of the most talented physicians in Kansas, and 
especially in the branch of surgery, has he obtained a reputation placing 
him in the front rank of the medical fraternity. He is a native of 
Illinois, born in Randolph County, on December 10, 1844, and is the 
son of William B. and Elvira (Cruther) Charles, natives of Virginia 
and Kentucky, respectively. In 1837 the parents emigrated to Illinois, 
coming by water, and located on the Mississippi River in what was 
known then as Liberty, but is now called Rockwood. The father was 
a captain on a steamboat the greater part of his life, but his last days 
were spent in retirement. He died at Litchfield, 111., in December, 
1864. The mother died in 1844. They had thirteen children, eight 
now living, of whom Dr. Charles is the youngest. He was principally 
reared in Montgomery County, 111., where he received a common- 
school education, and at an early age began the study of medicine. 



-H' 



Ij^ 



^J® 



550 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



graduating at the St. Louis Medical University in 1865. He was a 
hospital steward during the war. After graduating in medicine he 
went to Mason County, 111., and after practicing here one year re- 
turned to St. Louis, where he remained live years. From there he 
went to Sedalia, Mo., back to Centralia, 111. and purchased a drug 
store which he conducted for about one year. He then went to Mary- 
ville, Mo., thence to Brookfield, Mo., where he remained four years, 
from there to McPhersou City, Kas., where he tarried until 1S83, and 
then traveled south for some time. In 1884 he came to Armourdale, 
Kas., where he has since been in active practice. He is classed among 
the best physicians of the city and has an extensive practice. He was 
married in 1873, to Miss Mary H. DeWitt, a native of Wisconsin, and 
to them have been born three children: Elvira M., William W. and 
Mary H. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a 
K. T. , is an Odd Fellow and also a member of the encampment of Odd 
Fellows. He is medical examiner of the A. O. U. W., and was a mem- 
ber of the Missouri State Medical Society and also District Society of 
Southwest Kansas. He is a member of the Armourdale Medical So- 
ciety, and has held nearly all the offices in his secret societies. He is 
progressive in his views, and is always ready to advance the interest of 
his city. 

W'illiam B. Cleveland. The history of a country. State or county 
must depend in a great measure upon the lives of ''great men" for 
the interest with which it inspires the general reader. Because of this 
fact, a history of Wyandotte County, Kas., would be in no measure 
complete without a sketch of the life of he whose name appears above. 
Mr. Cleveland is a native of Indiana, his birth occurring April 1, 1829. 
He was the seventh of a family of eleven children born to his parents, 
and even in early childhood evinced unusual ability and judgment. 
The father of the subject of this sketch was a native of the Blue-Grass 
State, and through life was a cooper and farmer. The mother was 
born in the State of West Virginia, and at all times manifested a great 
interest in the future welfare of her children. Both parents are now 
dead. Mr. Cleveland received his education in the common schools, 
but like many bright boys managed to acquire quite an amount of 
knowledge there. At the early age of eighteen the subject of this 
sketch ventured out to face the world alone, turning his attention to 
farming, and also to coopering, though he loved the business of farm- 
ing more than any other. He commenced his business career with 
out a dollar in his pocket, having only a pair of willing hands and an 



x 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 551 



intkistrious nature to assist in the struggle for fortune and fame. Mr. 
Cleveland married Miss Sarah Glass Cook, of Tennessee, a lady of 
excellent talent, and highly educated. Their marriage took place in 
Missouri in the year 1856, and to them have been born nine children, 
but of these only one is living at the present writing, viz., Noah, who 
resides in Missouri, and who married Miss Mary Dudley. His voca- 
tion is farming. During the war Mr. Cleveland enlisted in Company A, 
Second Missouri Cavalry, under Col. A. J. Nugent. This was in 1862, 
and he figured in the following battles: Harrisonville, which was a 
very hard battle; Lone Jack, where his regiment lost fifty-eight by 
death and had 250 wounded. Besides these Mr. Cleveland took part 
in many desperate skirmishes, and he experienced all the hardships 
and deprivations incident to a soldier's life. In his faithful service to 
"Uncle Sam" the subject of this sketch lost his right forefinger. In 
fact, to sum up the matter briefly, Mr. Cleveland was one of the brave 
boys who wore the blue blouse, and really deserves a pension, having 
been honorably discharged by special order No. 70, after which he re- 
turned home. He has at all times and under all circimistances sup- 
ported the Republican party, having east his first vote for James K. 
Polk, of Tennessee, and besides, he has always voted for men of honor 
and high principles. Mr. Cleveland is a firm believer in the Farmers' 
Alliance, and thinks that if they work together much good may be 
accomplished for the farmers generally. He and Mrs. Cleveland are 
members of the Christian Church, and both delight to assist in worthy 
causes and promote the strength of religious matters. The subject of 
this sketch has traveled quite extensively. He moved from Indiana to 
Independence, Mo., in the year 1849, and from that point to Harri- 
sonville, Mo., where as a carpenter he met with great success in com- 
pany with his partner, Sanford Morris. In the spring of 1850 he 
journeyed over the Pacific slope to California, where he sought to 
amass a fortune in gold digging. This journey lasted three months, 
and caused them many hardships. After remaining in California one 
year and meeting with marked success, Mr. Cleveland sailed from San 
Francisco on August 1, 1857, for San Juan, Central America, which 
point he reached after a period of forty-eight days. He remained in 
Central America about two years, and while there engaged in numer- 
ous occupations, among which numbered those of waiter, salesman, 
and finally worked on the Vanderbilt line of steamers. At a later date 
he lived in New Orleans, then in Harrisonville, Mo., in 1855 he went 
to Salt Lake City, and in 1869 landed in Wyandotte County, Kas., 



fv 



4^ 



552 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



while the country was still a wilderness and the "red man" roamed 
at will. Land then was worth only $2. 50 per acre, and at the present 
writing the same land sells for from $125 to $300 per acre, figures 
which give an idea of the immense growth of this place and the won- 
derful development of the soil. Since settling here Mr. Cleveland 
has constantly devoted his attention to farming, and so pleased is he 
with the success that crowned all his efforts that he fully intends to 
remain here for the rest of his life. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland 
are popular in this county, and live happily, surrounded by a host of 
dear friends and admiring neighbors, who esteem them for their ster- 
ling worth and strict integrity of ptirpose and deed. 

Hon. G. L. Coates, real estate and insurance agent, Armourdale, 
Xas. In all business communities the matter of insurance holds a 
prominent place. It is a means of stability to all commercial trans- 
actions, and a mainstay against disaster, should devastation by fire 
sweep property or merchandise away. Among those engaged in the 
insurance and real estate business in Armourdale is Hon. G. L. Coates, 
a man universally esteemed and respected. He was born in Mount 
Airy, Ohio, Hamilton County, April 22, 1857, and is a son of James 
P. and Eliza (Williams) Coates, both natives of the Buckeye State. 
The father has followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and now re- 
rides in Cincinnati, Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Coates, 
was a native of England, and died in Ohio. Hon. G. L. Coates was 
one of nine children, eight of whom are living, born to his parents. 
They are named as follows: Sherwood, Edna R., Laura, Wilbur (who is 
president of the Board of Equalization of Cincinnati, Ohio), Clifford 
(deceased, was in the mail service at the time of his death), Stanley 
(a railroad man), Stella and Orrel. G. L. Coates attained his growth 
in Hamilton County, Ohio, and there remained until sixteen years of 
age, receiving his education principally in that county. He was taught 
the duties of the farm when young, and followed agricultural pursuits 
until twenty-one years of age. In 1873 he came to Dickinson County, 
Kas., and ran the largest wheat ranch in Kansas until 1879, having as 
much as 7,000 acres of wheat in at one time. In the latter j)art of 
1879 he went to Louisiana, and ran a large cotton plantation for one 
year. From there he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, embarked in the prod- 
uce and provision business for a little over a year, and was then in the 
United States mail service until 1886, a period of nearly four years, 
after which he engaged in the wholesale oil business, at 99 Court 
Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. At the same time he was execution deputy 



^- 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 553 



in the sheriff's office, court-house, of that city, until September, 1888, 
when he resigned both positions, to come to Kansas City, Kas. On 
arriving here he immediately embarked in the real estate and broker- 
age business, and has been unusually successful in his business career, 
controlling considerable town property. Since a boy he has always 
taken a decided interest in politics, and has attended all the conven- 
tions. He has ever been a stanch Republican in his political views, 
but is liberal in local politics. He was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in ISS'J, and his term expires in January, 1891. Mr. Coates 
has taken special interest in the building up of the city so far as his 
means would allow him, and was about the tirst man to get the streets 
improved in Armourdale, besides being foremost in many other public 
enterprises. He was married in May, 1884, to Miss Alice Chadwick, 
daughter of Allen Chadwick, the present postmaster of Armourdale. 

Alfred H. Cobb, city attorney of Kansas City, Kas., was born in 
Beloit, Wis., August 8, 1859, being a son of ex- Congressman, Stephen 
A. Cobb. He accompanied his parents to Wyandotte County, Kas., 
being two months old at the time, and has ever since been a resident 
of that city, and since attaining mature years has been one of the 
public-spirited men of this section, ever ready to support worthy en- 
terprises. He completed the high school course in Kansas City, after 
which he spent four years in the Kansas State University, his career 
there being marked by close application to his books, and by excellent 
deportment. After reading law for two years in the office of Alden & 
McGrew, he entered the law department of the University of Michi- 
gan, at Ann Arbor, graduating with the class of 1883. He at once 
began practicing his profession in Kansas City, and is now one of its 
most successful and talented young attorneys. His career as a legal 
practioner has been one of flattering success, and as his practice is 
steadily and substantially increasing, his outlook for the future is bright 
and promising. He was appointed to the position of city attorney in 
the spring of 1889, and is jaroving a competent official. He has always 
taken an active part in local polities, is a stanch Republican, and is 
one of the rising young politicians of the city. Socially he is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F., the K. of P. and the R. A. On September 9, 
1880, his marriage with Miss Carrie L. Place of Westport, Mo., was 
celebrated. She is a daughter of Prof. C. W. Place, who was formerly 
superintendent of schools of that town. Mr. Cobb and his wife have 
three children: Mary W., Franc and Alfred H. 

Horace E. Colvin is a fair representative of that class of American 



^1 



554 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



business men who win for themselves prominent positions and honor- 
able reputations. He was born in Detroit, Mich., April 27, 1845, be- 
ing H son of MatthewBon T. and Olive M. (McPherson) Colvin, the 
former of whom was born in Rutland, Vt. , February 6, 1814, and the 
latter in Syracuse, N. Y., March 23, 1821. The father was a son of 
Heman and Mary Colvin, who were also natives of Vermont. Mat- 
thewson T. Colvin, was married in 1842, and he and his wife became 
the parents of five children: Alice, Horace E., Ellen, Malinda and 
Linda; Malinda being now deceased, her death occurring at the age 
of nine months. The mother of these children passed from life Novem- 
ber 20, 1877. Their father learned the butcher' s trade in early life, and 
for a period of five years, or from 1845 to 1850, he conducted a meat- 
market in Chicago, beginning business there in a stall in the old State 
Street Market House, his being the first business of the kind on that 
street. He subsequently conducted a market for several years on the 
southeast corner of Randolph and Clark Streets, but in 1850, he re- 
moved to La Salle, La Salle County, 111. , where he opened a livery stable. 
Five years later he returned to Chicago, and in 1880 removed to St. 
Louis, finally locating in Harlem, Mo., where he now lives. Through- 
out his entire life he has dealt more or less in fast horses, and this 
still receives much of his attention. He is now past seventy-six years 
of age, and is the oldest man on the American turf. He is yet hale 
and hearty, and would readilj' pass for a man of fifty years of age. 
This fact is doubtless due to his regular habits, having taken the best 
of care of himself, and abstained from the use of liquors in all its 
forms. In his earlier manhood his love for sport induced him to 
frequently compete with his companions at foot racing and wrestling, 
and in the numerous contests in which he took part he was never outrun 
or thrown upon his back. While a resident of La Salle County, 111., 
he held the office of sheriff for two years and made an excellent offi- 
cial. Horace E. Colvin, his son, was reared to manhood in the city 
of Chicago, and at the age of seventeen years he entered a commer- 
cial college of that city, which he attended for about seven months. 
In July, 1861, he left this institution to take up arms in defense of 
his country, and became a private in company D, Sixty-seventh Uli- 
nois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for four months and 
seven days. In August, 1863, he became a member of the Chicago 
Mercantile Battery, serving with it until the close of the war, and 
participating in the following engagements: Vicksburg, Black River 
Bridge, Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill, in all of which he dis- 



>rv 




charged bis duties in a manner becoming a loyal soldier. He was 
mustered out of service at Chicago, July 10, 1865, after which he took 
up the printer's trade, but after a few months, finding that it was 
detrimental to his health, he abandoned it and resumed the butcher' s 
trade, which he had learned in his youth. He subsequently engaged 
in the meat business in Chicago, and for several years conducted a 
market in that city. In August, 1S81, he came to Kansas City, Kas., 
and during the first few years of his residence here was in the employ 
of the Armour Packing Company, being foreman for a year and a 
half of the supply room. At a later period he clerked in the grocery 
store of W. T. Brown, remaining with him eighteen months, and 
September, 1889, opened a similar establishment of his own in part- 
nership with William T>. Bougher, on Stewart Avenue, and has also 
dealt in meat, both salt and fresh. In January, 1890, they removed 
to the large and handsome business building at No. 701 Quindaro 
Boulevard, and there are now engaged in conducting one of the lead- 
ing groceries in the city. Both gentlemen are anxious to please their 
customers, and from the large patronage which they command, the 
inference drawn is that they have undoubtly done so. Mr. Colvin's 
marriage to Miss Nellie M. Langley, of Chicago, took place on March 
22, 1868, her birth occurring on February 14, 1846, and to their union 
the following children have been born: Ollie Mabel (born December 
31, 1869), Emma Blanche (born January 3, 1871), and Eva Gertrude 
(born January 3, 1876). The two eldest daughters are graduates of 
the Kansas City High School, and are teachers by profession, both 
having been employed in the schools of this city for the past three 
years. The younger, Emma Blanche, when she began, was the 
youngest teacher that ever taught in the city, being then but sixteen 
years of age. Both are exceptionally intelligent and accomplished young 
ladies and make very successful teachers. Mr. Colvin is a member 
of the R. A. the G. A. R., and commands the respect and esteem 
of all who know him. 

Horace E. Colvin has been engaged in the drug business in Kan- 
sas City, Kas., since January 1, 1887, at that time becoming the suc- 
cessor of A. H. Stevens, who had established a new store at No. 451 
Minnesota Avenue, only one month before. He remained in business 
there until the following October, when he removed to No. 436 Min- 
nesota Avenue, where he has since been successfully engaged in busi- 
ness. He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, April 1, 1858, and was a son 
of William D. and Eliza J. (Smith) Colvin, both of whom were also 



'-^ 




born in the Buckeye State, the latter' s birth occurring in Zanesville in 
1819, and the former's near that town in 1818. Mr. Colvin was a 
teacher by profession, and died in Kansas City, Mo., in 1882, being 
still survived by his widow, who is now making her home in Kansas 
City, Kas. Horace E. Colvin was the ninth of ten children, three 
sons and three daughters now living, and until five years of age was 
a resident of his native State, at that time moving with his par- 
ents to the State of Missouri, and locating on a farm near Carthage. 
There the family resided for five years; then, in February, 1870, re- 
moved to Wyandotte, Kas., and a few months later located on a farm 
just west of that place, which farm is now within the corporate limits 
of Kansas City, and a portion of which is occupied by Chelsea Park. 
During the eight years the family resided here, Horace E. labored upon 
the farm, but in 1878, as his parents moved to Kansas City, Kas., and 
two years later to Kansas City, Mo., he went with them. In February, 
1878, while his people still resided on the farm, he seciu-ed a position 
as clerk in a drug store in Kansas City, Mo. , and has been identified 
with that calling ever since, although in difPerent towns. He was em- 
ployed as a clerk in different stores in the above-mentioned city until 
1882, but at this date again took up his residence in Kansas City, Kas., 
and here has remained up to the present time. After remaining here 
in a clerical capacity for about live years he purchased his present 
store, under the above-mentioned conditions, and now has one of the 
finest establishments of the kind in the county. He is a thorough 
master of this business, and is recognized as such throughout this sec- 
tion. On November 1, 1888, he became associated in business with Ja- 
cob W. Giesburg, and the firm has since been known as Colvin & Gies- 
burg. He is one of the popular young business men of this section, 
and as his reputation for honesty and integrity has been tried and not 
found wanting, he deserves this popularity. He was married January 
10, 1888, to Miss Cora M. Barker, of Wyandotte County. 

William F. Combs, dairyman, Kansas City, Kas. If industry, and 
perseverance can accomplish anything, Mr. Combs is bound to succeed, 
for although starting in his present business four years ago with seven 
cows, he is now the owner of fifty-seven good cows that supply him 
with 300 gallons of milk per day, and is doing a rushing business. He 
was originally from Ohio, his birth occurring in Clermont County, and 
is the son of T. V. and Maria Combs, natives also of the Buckeye 
State. The mother died in 1870, but the father is still living and has 
been a resident of this county since 1883. He is a farmer by oecuja- 



tion and carries on this occupation in this State at the present time. 
Equipped with a common-school education, William F. came West 
with his father, and has been with him, and connected with him in 
business until recently. On April 28, 1887, our subject married Miss 
Ida McMullen, daughter of Henry McMullen, of Ohio, and they have 
one child, Maudie. Mr. Combs was first in the retail business, but he 
commenced the wholesale business in 1888, and is meeting with the 
great success. He has a pasture near the city limits. He has always 
supported the Republican party, and tolerates its views as sound and 
well suited to any man. 

John W. Condon is foreman of the killing department of Swift 
& Co.'s Packing House at Kansas City, Kas., and has been in 
their employ off and on since about 1882. He was born in Boston, 
Mass., January 12, 1803, his parents, David and Ellen (Hackett) 
Condon, being born in Ireland, but were married in the United States. 
His boyhood was spent in his native city, and there his advantages 
for acquiring an education were very good, and for a number of years 
he was a regular attendant of the public schools. In his early youth 
be was employed as a lighter of street lamjas, three years being spent 
at this occupation, and later spent a year and a half learning the 
butcher's trade. When he had attained his eighteenth year he came 
west to Hammond, Ind. , where, for twenty months he was employed 
in the packing house of George H. Hammond & Co. At the end of 
this time he went to Chicago, and after a short time spent in the pack- 
ing house of P. D. Armour & Co., he became an employe of Swift & Co. , 
of that city, and remained with them for about one year and a half. He 
then went to Northern Dakota, and for six months worked for the 
Western Dressed Beef Company, at the end of which time he re- 
turned to Chicago. After working for eight months in a packing 
house, owned by Leopold Pfealtzer he, in 1886, re-entered the em- 
ploy of Swift & Co. , and has been with this company ever since. In 
the fall of 1887, he was sent to Kansas City, Kas., and has since been 
foreman of the killing department, a responsible and trustworthy 
position. He is a sober, industrious and upright young man, and his 
prospects for a successful future are bright. Miss Frances B. Grady, 
of Chicago, became his wife on August 28, 1889, and both are earnest 
members of the Catholic Church, the former being a member of the 
I. O. F. 

John E. Conley, druggist, Armourdale Kas. Among the repre- 
sentative drug stores of Armourdale is that conducted bv Mr. John R. 



•i^ a ^ ■* «>fV 



ilii 




Conley, whose efiSciency in his profession is the result of long experience 
and practice. His parents, Robert and Susan (Dillon) Conley, were 
natives of Ireland and France, respectively. They were married in 
Canada and emigrated to Michigan at an early day, where the father 
followed contracting. He lived in lona City for a number of years 
and constructed some of the finest buildings in the city. He is now 
residing in Whitehall, Mich., where he still carries on his trade in 
contracting and building. They had six children, live of whom are 
now living: William, George, Nettie and Abbie. John R. Conley was 
born in lona City, Mich., on June 17, 1859, and there passed his boy- 
hood and youth, receiving his education at Grand Rapids, grad- 
uating at Swineburn's Commercial College in 1879. After this he was 
employed in various enterprises, and in the meantime studied the drug 
business, serving an apprenticeship at Montague, Mich., where he 
embarked in the driig business for himself for some time. In 1884 he 
emigrated to Kansas City, Kas., opened a drug store, which was the 
second in the city of Armourdale, and here he has continued the busi- 
ness ever since. He has a line stock of drugs, jewelry, etc. , and is 
prosperous and happy. By his marriage, which occurred in 1881, to 
Miss Mary E. Baker, of Montague, Mich., he became the father of one 
son, Robert C. Mr. Conley is a member of the K. of P., R. A. and 
K. of H. He has been captain of Division No. 33 for over three years, 
and is one of the representative men of Armourdale, ever ready to 
assist in all laudable enterprises. 

Henry S. Cook has been a resident of Armourdale, Kas., since 1884, 
and since that time has had the management of the drug store belong- 
ing to J. R. Conley, and by his courteous manners, and desire to please 
and accommodate his patrons, he has built an extensive and lucrative 
trade. He was born in Baltimore, Md., September 16, 1854, and is 
the only child of Charles and Mary E. (Canby) Cook, the former beipg 
a native of Virginia, where he was reared to manhood, and followed 
the calling of a pork-packer. From this State he went to Baltimore, 
Md. , where he followed his calling until ISOO, at which time he assumed 
charge of the Washington Division of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, 
closing out the different interests in railroad stocks and real estate, 
and after a time purchased a plantation in St. Landry Parish, La., on 
which he resided for a year. He then sold out, and spent some time 
in visiting different cities in the East, but finally, in 1879, settled in 
Kansas City, Mo. Henry S. Cook obtained the principal part of his 
knowledge of pharmacy in Washington, D. C, with Adams & Dick- 



•^ 

-^ 



fe^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 559 



son, but after remaining with them a short time, he left them to take a 
position with W. H. Douglas, in New York City. After graduating 
from an institution of that place, he went to Xew Orleans, but returned 
to Baltimore, Md., and in 1S75 opened a drug store at that place, and 
in time bililt up a fine trade, but was forced to abandon this work on 
account of ill health. He then emigrated to the West, and for some 
time resided in Northwestern Iowa, his time being devoted to the re- 
covery of his health, and while there lived in a comfortable and com- 
modious residence which he had purchased, and which he still owns. 
He was married in Le Mars, Iowa, in 1875, to Miss Helena E. Scribner, 
a daughter of J. S. and M. S. (Sheldon) Scribner, natives of New 
York. Mrs. Cook was born in Elmira. N. Y., in 1860, and her union 
with Ml'. Cook has resulted in the birth of four children: Mary, 
Helena and Charles; Harry is deceased. Mr. Cook is a Democrat, and 
socially belongs to Fearless Lodge No. 97 of the K. of F. He is 
always found ready to assist any enterprise that will benefit and ad- 
■ vance the interests of the community in which he resides, and is always 
ready and willing to stretch out the right hand of fellowship to the 
needy and distressed. 

Gen. Dudley E. Cornell, a worthy and respected citizen residing 
in Kansas City, Kas. , was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., January 
15. 1837, being a son of Merritt I. and Mercy W. (Howard) Cornell, 
who were born in Washington County, N. Y.,and Bennington County, 
Vt. , respectively. One of the early ancestors of Dudley E. was 
Thomas Cornell, who emigrated from England, and first located in 
Boston, Mass., moving from there in 1(340 to Ehode Island, settling at 
Portsmouth. He had a son, Thomas, who also had a son of that name. 
The latter had a son George, who was born October 11. 1707, and he 
had a son by the name of Matthew, who first saw the light of day in 
Rhode Island on October 30, 1743. The latter' s son, Matthew, was 
born in "Washington County, N. Y. , March 22, 1787, and was the 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He was educated for a 
civil engineer at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N. Y. , 
and (luring the years of 1856-57 he followed civil engineering in the 
State of Wisconsin. From that time until 1860 he followed the same 
occupation in connection with mining in California, but in the last 
named year he returned to New York, and in October, 1861, entered 
the service of the Union army, and served until the close of the war. 
In 1866 he came to Kansas and located in Wyandotte County, where 
he has chiefly resided ever since. He entered the employ of the old 



-^. 



TV 



5G0 HISTOllY OF KANSAS. 



Kansas Pacific Railroad, as clerk in the general passenger and ticket 
office, was subsequently made chief clerk, and in 1876 was made 
general passenger and ticket agent of the road, a position he held 
until the consolidation of that road with the Union Pacific Railroad, 
when he became general agent of the passenger and ticket departments 
of the consolidated lines at Kansas City, and filled this position with 
the best success until the fall of 1887. He has served one term as 
mayor of Kansas City, Kas., and two terms as a member of the city 
council. His marriage, which took place on October, 13, 1868, was to 
Miss Annie M., the daughter of Dr. Frederick Speck, and by her has 
had a family of six children — four sons and two daughters: Fred D., 
Howard M., Adelaide M., Dudley E., Grace A. and George S. Mr. 
Cornell is a member of the A. F. & A. M. , the K. of P. and the A. 
O. U. W., and in his political views has always been a Republican. 

Thomas Cowie, foreman of the foundry of the Keystone Iron 
"Works, which institution is among the most important of its kind in 
the Southwest, is one of the skilled mechanics of Kansas City, where 
he is well known and thoroughly respected. Mr. Cowie was bora in 
Scotland, in the village of Glenn Davis, near Ardrie, April 15, 1835, 
and is the eldest of nine children — six sons aad three daughters. The 
father was a Scotchman, and was a mill- stone builder by trade. He 
died at the age of forty-eight years. The mother is also of Scotch 
origin and resides at the present time in Canada. Thomas Cowie re- 
ceived his early education in his native country and started out for 
himself at the age of fourteen as a molder, serving four years as an 
apprentice in Dundas, Canada, as a molder in his uncle's plant, one of 
the most important in Canada, established in 1833, and conducted 
under the name of John Gartshare. He then went to West Point, 
learned the profession or trade under instruction for one year, and be- 
came thoroughly familiar with all the different branches as a molder. 
His superintendent was Rumph, and his foreman, John Carmichael, 
who was a noted man among mechanics and molders. Mr. Cowie re- 
mained there six years, and then returned to Dundas, Canada, to take 
charge of his uncle's large foundry, remaining there from 1858 to 
1870, which shows that he is a thorough and experienced workman in 
detail. Next he and his cousin commenced work on their own respon- 
sibility and located in Hamilton, Ontario, but business being dull he 
removed to Kansas City, Mo., where Mr. Cowie located with A. J. 
Kelley, and remained there two years. He then united with the Key- 
stone Iron Works, and now holds the important position of foreman of 



"^s 



"fV* 



the foundry. Mr. Cowie's apprentices, who have learned the trade un- 
der him, are now holding important positions throughout the country. 
He took charge of foundry work, when twenty-three years of age, and 
has quite a historical record. He, with two other molders, cast several 
parts of the engine for the famous frigate "Merrimac," viz. : Cylinder 
head, piston head and condenser and bed plate, the weight being seven- 
teen tons, and those they cast themselves. Mr. Cowie has seventy-six 
men under him in this large plant, and is one of the trusted men of this 
establishment. He was married to Miss Lucinda McDonnell, a native 
of Ireland, on December 16, 1858, and to them have been born eight 
children. Mr. Cowie has ever been a Democrat in his political views, 
and casts his vote for men of honor and principle. He and wife are 
ardent supporters of the educational system, which is the bulwark of 
the nation. Mr. Cowie is a member of the Scottish Clan, a flourishing 
organization, and is a Koyal Arch Mason. He and Mrs. Cowie are 
members of the Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, Mo. They are 
comfortably located in Kansas City, Mo. , where they have a line and 
valuable property, and where they will make their home. There his 
talent and skill are in constant demand. During President Bu- 
chanan's administration Mr. Cowie was the factor in manufacturing 
shells, and for four years worked four months each year in making 
these missiles of death. He helped manufacture many thousands, and 
was in the ranks at West Point Foundry when the famous ' ' Parrott 
gun was made, the same being well known by all war veterans as the 
death-dealing messenger. Mr. Cowie's career as a molder has been 
one of the most unique of any completed by the historian as yet. 

John S. Cox. It will be seen by a perusal of this sketch of 
the life of one of the most respected citizens of Wyandotte County, 
Kas., that his early educational advantages were good, and that 
since his contact with the world his vigorous mind has so grasped 
and embraced the opportunities which have presented themselves that 
he is accounted among the most intelligent and learned men of this sec- 
tion of the country. He was born in Lewis County, W. Va., in 18'25, 
and was from the very first taught everything connected with farming, 
but much of his time was also devoted to school work, he being for 
some time an attendant of the Northwest Virginia Acaderny, where, 
besides acquiring a literary ediication, he also read law. In 1852 he 
determined to seek a fresh field for his labors, and accordingly first 
settled in Adams County, 111., and afler a period of two years spent in 
farming, he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, teaching school 



_9 i> 



562 HISTOHY OF KANSAS. 



also, a calling he had followed in the State of Virginia. In 1862, with 
the knowledge of the fact that his country needed his services, he en- 
listed in Company B, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Infantry, 
and after doing gallant service, he was discharged in July, ISfio. Im- 
mediately on entering the army he was placed in the hospital service, 
having prior to the war acquired some knowledge of the drug business, 
and until 1864 was in the Regimental Hospital, being at that time capt- 
ured. He was taken to Camp Ford, Tex. , but while there managed to 
make his escape, August 18, 1864, but was shortly after captured by 
bloodhounds, seven of which had hold of him when he surrendered. 
He remained in captivity until February 6, 1865; then made his way 
to the gunboat '' La Fayette, ' ' at the mouth of Ked River, and there se- 
cured a furlough home for thirty days, after which he returned to his 
regiment at Montgomery, Ala. On May 22, 1865, he was again 
placed in the division hospital service, and there continued until it was 
disbanded, being shortly afterward taken sick with rheumatism, and 
went to Marine Hosp)ital, at Mobile, Ala. After being in the Marine 
Hospital until July 28, 1865, he was discharged, and went to Zanes- 
ville, Ohio, where he found his family at the same place he had left 
them on entering the service. He was only in one battle, but the doc- 
tors would not permit him to again take the field, as he was a skillful 
nurse, and his services were needed among the wounded. After the 
war he became a clerk for the Ohio Iron Company for two years, after 
which he sold goods two years; then came to Kansas City, Kas., and 
engaged in the real estate and the insurance business, and has given 
special attention to Government claims. He once tilled the position 
of justice of the peace, a position to which he was elected without his 
knowledge, and in political matters is distinctly liberal, being equally 
so in church matters. He was married in Clarksburg, Harrison 
County, Va., by the Rev. J. W. Snodgrass, to Miss Mary A. Hamrick, 
a native of Rappahannock County, "Va. The children (living) born to 
them are as follows: William W. (who was born in Virginia December 
4, 1849, is proprietor of a job-printing house in this city), and Ella L. 
(who is the wife of J. P. Connelly, of Denver, Colo). Mr. Cox is a son 
of Phillippi, and Susannah (Kinsley) Cox, both native Virginians, the 
former of whom died in 1876. This family is descended from Dr. 
Daniel Cox, of London, England. The grandfather was born in New 
Jersey, and died in Ritchie County, Va. , at the age of ninety-nine 
years. The great-grandfather lived to be one hundred and ten years 
of age, and died in Harrison County, Va. 



>^ s r- 



l\±^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



563 



Hon. William A. Coy, mayor of Kansas City, Kas., is a popular 
official of the city. He was born in Portage County, Ohio, Novem- 
ber 30, 1835, and has resided in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, 
since 1887, and has become well and very favorably known. He is a 
son of Allen M. and Sarah (Bush) Coy, both of whom were born in 
Chenango County, N. Y. , the former having been born in 1804 and 
the latter in 1809. Their marriage took place in 1826, and to them 
three sons and three daughters were born, all of whom are living, 
the youngest two, who were twins, being now in their forty-fourth 
year. The names of this family are as follows: Polly M., William A., 
Henry A., Emma S., Jerome and Josephine, all of whom were born in 
Portage County. The father, who was a farmer and live-stock dealer, 
died in 1861, his widow passing to her long home ten years later. 
The subject of this sketch remained in his native county until he 
attained his eighteenth year, when on January 3, 1853, started from home 
for the West, and he, accompanied by his father, settled in Buchanan 
County, Iowa, the latter purchasing a stock ranch in the county on 
which he laid out the town of Coyville. In that place William A. 
started a general store, having been provided with the necessary 
means by his father. This establishment he continued to conduct un- 
til 1856, at which time he came to Kansas and located on a claim 
which he had purchased in Jefferson County, when two years later he 
returned to Iowa, where he spent a few months with his parents, who 
had removed there in the fall of 1853. In June, 1858, he secured a 
position as traveling salesman for the firm of David Kansom & Co., of 
New York City, and continued in the employ of that firm until Janu- 
ary, 1861. Meanwhile, on November 17, 1861, he was married to 
Miss Julia Cole, a daughter of S. S. Cole, of Chillicothe, 111., who 
is now with his wife and family residing in Kansas City, Kas. Mr. 
Coy began housekeeping on his claim in Jefferson County, Kas., 
in January, 1861, and in the fall of 1862 was elected register of 
deeds, serving one term of two years. In the fall of 1864 he was 
elected to the office of county treasurer, and served one full term and 
part of another by appointment. During all this time he resided in 
Oskaloosa, the county seat, and while there he was a partner in a gen- 
eral store at that place. In March, 1867, he removed to Leavenworth, 
Kas., where, for two and one-half years, he was a salesman in a whole- 
sale dry goods establishment. Upon his return to Oskaloosa in 1870 
he resumed mercantile pursuits, and to this and the live stock busi- 
ness his attention was given until 1879. In that year he removed to 



^l 



"» "V 



564 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Lawrence, Kas., and in 1881 settled in Kansas City, Mo., where he 
became associated with the wholesale clothing firm of Hannah, Chit- 
tenden & Co. He continued in that capacity for five years, the firm 
name in the meantime being changed to Tootle, Hannah & Co. Early 
in 1886 he formed a partnership with James Kingston and William 
Peake, under the firm name of Hingston, Coy & Peake, and they were 
in the wholesale clothing and furnishing business at Nos. 533 and 535 
Delaware Street. In 1888 Mr. Coy sold his interest in this establish- 
ment, and the same year, in connection with his sonin-law, Charles H. 
Simms, he built the biisiness block known as the Department House 
in Kansas City, Kas., and in this building they have conducted a 
large general store ever since. Mr. Coy is also associated with other 
firms, and is a member of the clothing firm of Coy, Simms & Johnson, 
and the clothing firm of Coy, Simms & Co., of Kansas City, Kas., the 
clothing firm of Coy, Hutchins & Co., at Valley Falls, Kas., and the 
clothing firm of Hutchins, Coy & Co., of Holton, Kas. Besides the 
enterprises mentioned above, Mr. Coy has been identified with several 
others of more or less importance, and in 1882 started a store at Clay 
Centre, Kas. A year later he established a store at Butler, Mo. , and 
in the same year one at Pleasant Hill, the same State. In 1889 he 
was elected mayor of Kansas City, Kas., and is now tilling this posi- 
tion in a most acceptable manner. He was one of the incorjjorators of 
the Kansas City Clothing Manufacturing Company, and is now pres- 
ident of the same. Socially he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and 
in his political views is strictly Republican. He and his wife worship 
in the First Presbyterian Church. Their children are Delia (who is 
now the wife of Charles H. Simms) and William Edward (who died at 
the age of sixteen years). 

M. L. Critchfield, of the firm of Critchfield & Daily, merchants of 
Armourdale, Kas., is a gentleman who enjoys an enviable reputation 
for integrity and high business ability, while he is esteemed and re- 
spected by all. He was born in Jefferson County, Kas., in November, 
1859, and is the son of Terry Critchfield, who came to Kansas in 
1855. The elder Critchfield located at Leavenworth and there han- 
dled claims for some time. He subsequently engaged in the real es- 
tate business, was county clerk of Jefferson County for several years, 
and was Representative for three terms. He is now engaged in the 
banking business at Oskaloosa, Kas. He is, and has been, a very 
prominent man. M. L. Critchfield passed his youthful days in Jef- 
ferson County, and received his education at the State University, at 



rf- 



^ 



^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 565 



Lawrence, Kas. He was reared to mercantile pursuits and was in bus- 
iness at Oskaloosa, Kas. , for a number of years, carrying an immense 
stock. He was postmaster at Oskaloosa under President Cleveland's 
administration, and put in a line Yale lock oflfice while filling that po- 
sition. In March, 1890, he came to Armourdale and established an 
immense store, which receives an extensive patronage. Mr. Critch- 
field was married in 1885 to Miss Mollie Johnson, a graduate of Beth- 
any College, and whose father is a banker in Oskaloosa. Mr. Critch- 
field is a Eoyal Arch Mason, K. of P. and A. O. U. W. He is at 
present assistant cashier of Jefferson County, Kas., Bank. 

Capt. Thomas Crooks, farmer and horticulturist, Quindaro, Kas. 
Mr. Crooks was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, on September 8, 
1831, and is the son of Henry and Catherine (Donally) Crooks. The 
father followed farming all his life, and was an industrious, enterpris- 
ing citizen. His family consisted of seven children — three sons and 
four daughters — three of whom are now living, and the Captain, the 
only one in Kansas. The latter passed his boyhood days in assisting 
his father on the farm, and in addition to a common-school education, 
attended the academy at New Hagarstown two terms. After this taught 
school in winter and attended school in summer, thus receiving an un- 
usually good education. During the winter of 1856-57, induced by 
the favorable reports from Kansas, he determined to emigrate, and as 
a result reached Wyandotte County in the last-named year, settling 
within halt a mile of where he now resides, three miles northwest of 
Kansas City, Kas. Having been reared to agricultural pursriits, it was 
but natural that he should at last make that his chosen calling, and he 
first hired out as a farm hand. Later he rented land, but the follow- 
ing spring went to Colorado, where he prospected some for gold, and 
was engaged in other enterprises until September. He then returned 
with a sick companion to his home in Kansas, and there taught school 
for two terms. Upon the breaking out of the war he was filled with 
a f)atriotic desire to assist his country, and on July 21, 1861, he en- 
listed in Company E, Fourth Regiment Kansas Volunteers, his com- 
pany being the first cavalry company raised in the State. G. W. 
Veal, of Quindaro, was cajstain, William Wier was colonel, and Mr. 
Crooks was first orderly sergeant, filling that position until January 
2, 1863. He was then made second lieittenant of the company, and 
on July 9, 1863, he was commi.-sioned captain of the company by the 
governor at the request of the company. He was mustered out on 
May 8, 1865, but was in the service until July 14, 1865. He served 



"C ^ 



Is 



^* 




as captain until bis company was mustered out. He was first under 
Gen. Jim Lane, and then under Col. Freemont in Missouri, then 
under Gen. Steele in Arkansas. His first introduction to the Southern 
army was at Fort Scott on September 1, 1861, and the next day 
another engagement took place on Drywood Creek,, whore the first one 
in the command was killed and several wounded. This company be- 
ing mounted was used as scouts, and Mr. Crooks was in many sharp 
skirmishes and dangerous positions. In November, 1864, while on 
the way to Fort Leavenworth to be mustered out, the command was 
attacked about forty miles below Fort Scott and routed, most of the 
train being captured. This was his last war experience. Coming 
home, he remained but a short time, and then rejiorted for duty at 
Du Vall's Bluff, and was discharged finally in July. He began work- 
ing on his farm of thirty-one acres, which he had purchased in 1862, 
and in 1866 he added fifteen acres, and then in 1882 he added twenty 
acres more. He has been living here and improving his place ever 
since, and has been fairly successful in his operations. He has about 
twenty acres in fruit, and has a good house and outbuildings. The 
Captain has held several township offices, and his name has been promi- 
nently mentioned for the position of sheriflF. He is a member of the 
Congregational Church. In 1867 he was married to Miss Julia A. 
Farnsworth, of Clay County, Mo. , and daughter of Isaac and Louisa 
Farnsworth. They are the parents of two living children, Lily May 
and Adaline Inza. The Captain has been a Republican, but is op- 
posed to high tarifp. 

Timothy Crowley is foreman of the hog-killing and cutting depart- 
ment of the Kansas City Packing & Refrigerating Company, and 
although he has resided here since 1885, he was born, and his youth 
and manhood up to that time were spent in Johnson County, Iowa. His 
birth occurred on August 25, 1862, to Edward and Hannah (Bradley) 
Crowley, the former of whom was a native of Maine, and is now resid- 
ing in Iowa City, at the age of fift3'-fonr years. He is one of the early pio- 
neers of Johnson County, and was a true and trusty soldier during the 
Rebellion. His wife was born in the "Emerald Isle" and died in May, 
1 890, at the age of fifty- two years. Timothy Crowley is the second of five 
children, and his knowledge of books was acquired in the schools at 
Iowa City, he being an attendant for some time at the Williams Com- 
mercial College of that place. He was connected with his father in the 
stone contracting business, but gave this up in April, 1885, to come to 
Kansas City, Kas. , where he soon secured employment with MoiTis, 



^- 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 567 



Butt & Co. , now the Kansas City Packing & Refrigerating Company, 
and for the past three years has acted in the capacity of foreman. He 
is an excellent man for the place and his duties are always promptly 
attended to, every detail being carefully looked after. He has always 
been a warm Republican, and his first presidential vote was cast for 
James G. Blaine, in 1884. 

James H. Cummings, foreman of the hide and wool department of 
the Armour Packing Company, Kansas City, Kas. To an active, wide- 
awake young man, who is the happy possessor of energy and ambi- 
tion, there is always a broad field for labor, and a chance to "hew" 
out a promising career in the mercantile world. Everywhere and 
among every class of men, there is a feeling of sincere respect for 
the man who takes up the scattered ' ' threads of his destiny ' ' and 
weaves them into a beautiful whole. And prominent among this class 
ranks James H. Cummings, the subject of the present sketch. With- 
out any assistance but his own willing hands and indomitable energy, 
he has raised himself from obscurity to his present lucrative position. 
He began with his present employers in 1884, as a common laborer, 
and by means of close application and competency was promoted, in 
two years, to fill a position where he has thirty men under his imme- 
diate control, and the entire responsibility of his department. Mr. 
Cummings is a native of County Down, Ireland, his birth occurring 
in that country in the month of December, 1863. His parents, John 
and Mary Cummings, are also natives of County Down, Ireland. 
After attaining the age of sixteen, and receiving a good common-school 
education there, Mr. Cummings started for America to make for him- 
self a position in business circles, and such has been his success in 
this undertaking that to-day he is held in the highest esteem in this 
community, and is rapidly accumulating a fortune. While not an ac- 
tive politician, by any means, he votes the Republican ticket at 
elections. In 1883 Mr. Cummings married Miss Martha Rebecca 
Tippett, of Menard County, 111., and to this union has been borne 
one child — Bud. Like most good business men, the subject of this 
sketch is largely interested in advancing in every possible way the 
religious and educational interests of the city. 

Lyman Miles Culver, dealer in stocks, bonds, commercial paper, 
also county, city and school district warrants, at 333 Minnesota Avenue, 
Kansas City, Kas., is a native of Pennsylvania, his ancestors having 
settled in Luzerne County, that State, in 1790 from New Jersey. Some 
of the Culver family are still living on lands acquired at that early 






^1 



568 . HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



date. In 1846 David O. and Clarissa (Simons) Culver, the parents of 
L. M. jCame west, settling near Chicago, 111., where the subject of 
this sketch was principally raised. In 1860 he married Miss Margaret 
McArdle, of Watertown, Wis., and soon after came to Kansas, where 
during the war, he was principally engaged in freighting for the Govern- 
ment. At the close of thQ war and for many years after he was in the 
hide, tallow, fur, pelts and wool trade, also for some years running a 
soap factory, at Atchison. Selling out there in 1870, after traveling 
extensively, he became strongly convinced that the great city of the 
central Southwest was to be at the mouth of the Kaw Eiver in Kan- 
sas, and stretching across the State line iu Missouri. He settled on 
the Kansas side, and has lived to see his predictions come true, and to 
realize a snug fortune from the rise of real estate, in which he invested 
quite extensively, engaging first in the grocery and real estate trade. 
His business is now in stocks, bonds, commercial paper, county, city 
and school district warrants, and is large, extending as far west as 
Colorado and Utah. His son, Abram Lyman Culver, a young man 
of sound business habits, is still in the grocery trade at his father's 
old stand. 

H. Clay Cundiff. As the contest for wealth and position grows 
more and more pronounced, a man must possess both natural ability 
and great energy to gain for himself a position in the commercial 
w^rld, and one of the men who, realizing that " life is real," has en- 
deavored always to advance the interests of the community in which 
he resided, and win for himself money and friends, is the subject of 
this sketch. His birth took place in Davis County, Ky. , on Novem- 
ber 14, 1800, being the son of Bryant Y. and Fannie P. (McCormick) 
CnndifF. The parents were also natives of the Blue-Grass State, the 
father being born January 9, 1822, and following the occupation of a 
farmer and school teacher after his marriage, until late years, when 
he devoted his time and attention to preaching in the Baptist Church. 
Mr. Cundiff grew to manhood's estate in Kentucky, receiving there a 
first-class common-school education, and learning the carpenter' s trade. 
In 1882, growing weary of the monotony of his home life, he jour- 
neyed forth to seek a new place of residence, and coming to Kansas 
City, entered the employ of the Armour Packing House in this city, 
taking a position in the lamp-supply department. At the present 
writing he is foreman of this department, having about 20,000 lights 
to look after. He has been with the same firm for a period of eight 
years, during which time he has won the esteem and good will of 

\^ € r- -^ S> \ ' 



his fellow-workers, and made many warm personal friends in the eity. 
Mr. Cundiff married Miss Emma B. Trunnell, daughter of Josiah 
Trunnell, in 1886. Her birth occurred in Kentucky, as did her 
parents'. This union has been blessed with two children, named re- 
spectively, Ouida and Zola Lee. Mr. Cundiff is in sympathy with 
the Democratic party. He belongs to the Wide-Awake Lodge No. 
153, K. of P., and National Union No. 382. 

Capt. A. W. Cunningham, grocer, Armourdale, Kas. Among the 
most important industries of any community are those which deal in 
the necessaries of life, and next to bread and meat nothing is more 
necessary than groceries. Armourdale has many first-class establish- 
ments doing business in this line, prominent among the number being 
that conducted by Capt. A. M. Cunningham. This gentleman is a na- 
tive of Washington County, Md., born August 1, 1842, and is the son 
of John D. H. and Margaret (Holbert) Cunningham, natives of Mary- 
land, and of English-Scotch descent. The ancestors on both sides 
were early emigrants to the United States and located in Maryland. 
The maternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died 
in Knoxville, Tenn. John D. H. Cunningham, father of our subject, 
was a tailor by trade, and spent his entire life in Hancock, Md. The 
mother is still living on the homestead. They were the parents of 
nine children, three now living: Laura C, and Charles A. H. (who is 
a resident of Massachusetts). Capt. Cunningham received a fair educa- 
tion in his native county, in Maryland, and when but a mere boy was 
steerman on a canal boat for seven years. In 1861 he was employed 
on the Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and was in the militia for some 
time. In 186-1: he enlisted in the regular service, and was in active 
duty until £he close of the war. After the war he returned to the em- 
ploy of the Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and remained with the 
same until 1867, when he went on the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, 
in whose employ he remained for nine years. After this he went to 
Oil City, worked there for some time, and in 1879 came to Kansas 
City, where he was employed on the Chicago & Alton, and afterward 
on the Union Pacific Railroad, most of his railroad life being spent as 
a conductor. He was a city salesman for William C. Glass' wholesale 
liquor house for some time, and since then he has been in the grocery 
business, being quite successful in this venture. In the last election 
he ran for Representative, but was beaten by seventeen votes. He 
was married, first in 1867, to Miss Anna Crull, who died in 1877, leav- 
ing five children: William R., Maggie, Anna, Grace and Blanche. His 

36 



570 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



second marriage was ia 1878, to Miss Lanra Duncan. He was for 
some time deputy United States mai'sbal. Socially he is a member of 
the K. of P. 

George W. Cunningham is the chief engineer of the Metropolitan 
Street Railway Company in Kansas City, and has held his present posi- 
tion since the month of November, 1888. His birth occurred in Madison 
County, Ind. , July 28, 1859, and in 1862 was taken to Indianpolis by 
his parents, and in 1863 to Olney, 111., where he grew to mature years, 
and received common school advantages. At the age of thirteen years 
he began woi'king in an engine-room, and at the age of fourteen be- 
came a regular engineer for the La Fayette Iron Company, at Ben- 
wood, Ind., and afterward became accountant for the Vandalia Rail- 
road Company, at Brazil, Ind., but only remained with them a short 
time, when he entered school at Claremont, 111., and graduated 
from the public schools. He next began working for a milling com- 
pany in Olney, as second engineer, and also acted as solicitor for the 
same for some time. He afterward took charge of a Government snag- 
boat on White River, being there from July till October, then went to 
Vincennes, Ind., and was chief engineer for Riverside Lumber Com- 
pany for twelve months, after which he took a like position in the 
Broadway Milling Company, remaining in this capacity for live years. 
The following three months he was in the employ of M. L. Watson & 
Co. , of Terre Haute, then became connected as erecting engineer with 
the Deane Steam Pump Company, of Holyoke, Mass., with which he 
remained for fourteen weeks, then became engineer for Bienville Water 
Supply Company, of Mobile, Ala., continuing eight weeks, after which 
he worked from May until October for the Hamilton Corliss Engine Com- 
pany. He was nest connected with the Queen City Light Company, 
at Dallas, Tex., but resigned at the end of thirty-two days to accept 
his present position. He was married in Olaey, 111., to Miss Hannah 
E. Shepherd, who was born in Richland County, 111., in 18G1, and the 
children born to them are Walter and Henry. Mr. Cunningham 
learned his trade of his father, William Cunningham, who is now a 
machinist for the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad Company, at AVash- 
ington, Ind. He was born in Baltimore, Md. His father was a 
wheelwright and millwright, and was born and spent his life in Mary- 
land. His wife's mother was a Miss St. Clair, of French nativity, and 
her father was a Scottish lord, and a very wealthy man. He came to 
America with Lord Baltimore, and became a very extensive land owner. 
The mother's people came from the south of England, and the great- 

^ V — <e ^ 
'>i^ « r~ —% »|>y ' 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 571 



grandfather was a soldier under Gen. Washington, in the Eevolu- 
tionarj' War. Some of Mr. Cunningham's ancestors have participated 
in every war in which the United States has been engaged, and Will- 
iam Cunningham was a soldier under Zachary Taylor in the Mexican 
War. Mrs. Cunningham's maternal grandfather was a Perry, a de- 
scendant of Commodore Perry. 

John A. Dahlgren, a short sketch of whose life now claims atten- 
tion, was born in Sweden in the month of January, 1844, being the 
son of John and Johana Dahlgren, natives of Sweden. In his native 
country Mr. Dahlgren learned the mason's trade, and there received a 
liberal education. In 1870 he came to the United States, landing in 
New York City, and going from that point to New Jersey, where for a 
period of seven years, he continued to work at his chosen trade. At 
the expiration of that time he moved to Kansas City, Kas. He was 
united in matrimonial bonds with Miss Louise Ledman, a native of 
Sweden, and their marriage was consummated in the year 1874. 
They have been blessed with five children, of whom John is dead, and 
Ida, Oscar, Edna and Jennie are living at the present writing. Mr. 
Dahlgren has met with great and almost unbroken success since com- 
mencing his business career, and has, by means of his energy, undis- 
putable talent, and promptness, built up a very large trade in this city, 
having contracted for and built many of the handsomest buildings that 
are found within the limits of this prosperous place, such as the 
county jail, the sheriff's residence. First National Bank Building, 
Moss Block, Simpson Block, Exchange Bank, and numerous buildings 
of equal size and expense. While he is an expert in all the different 
branches of his trade, he makes a specialty of brick and stone work, 
and is numbered among the prominent business men of Kansas City. 
Mr. Dahlgren is a member of the Republican party. He belongs to 
Tauromee Lodge No. 30, A. O. U. W^, also a Swedish order. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Dahlgren are faithful members of the Swedish Lutheran 
Church, and interested in religious, and educational matters. This 
is only one of the numerous instances that daily come before the 
public where men make for themselves good reputations and comfort- 
able foi'tunes. 

Charles Dauzenroth, dealer in dry goods, boots and shoes, Argen- 
tine, Kas. The establishment of which Mr. Dauzenroth is the es- 
teemed proprietor is in this line a thoroughly representative one, for 
he was the first merchant and resident of Ai-gentine. He was born in 
Germany on April 8, 1842, and is the second of four children 



-^^ 



^^ 



^- 



A 



572 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



born to the marriage of John and Mary Catherine Dauzenroth, natives 
also of Germany. The parents both died in the old country, the 
mother in 1S52 and the father in 1875. In the year 1855 Charles 
Dauzenroth emigrated to the United States, in company with his un- 
cle and guardian, Antoine Nahrgang, and located in New York City. 
Later they moved to Detroit, Mich., thence to Chicago and finally 
to Davenport, Iowa, where our subject was reared to manhood. He 
assisted his relatives on the farm until 1857, when he left them and 
started out to fight life's battles for himself when but fifteen years 
of age. He began first by working in a brick-yard, where he remained 
until 1859, and then went to Mulligan's Bend, where he chopped wood 
one winter. He then made a visit to his relatives, and in 1864 
went to St. Louis, where he assisted in the care of calvary horses. 
He worked at brick-making and other jobs until 1869, when he came to 
Kansas City, and went into the country to chop railroad ties. In 1870 
he returned to Kansas City and went to work at the cooperage busi- 
ness in a building now known as Perfection Mills. Here he soon began 
to make barrels on his own accord, selling to the trade, and was very suc- 
cessful until 1873, when the panic struck Kansas City, he lost his start, 
and selling out the balance of his stock he went to St. Louis. There 
he worked alternately at brick-making and coopering until 1875, when 
he went to work at the smelter and there remained for six years. He 
then made a contract as foreman of the Argentine Smelter, which he 
worked for one year, after which (in 1882), he opened his store, which 
he still continues. When the town was incorporated in August, 1882, 
he was elected treasurer, which office he held one year. After this he 
was made city clerk and retained this position until 1889. In 1866 he 
was married to Miss Kate Brake, a native of Germany, who died a year 
after her marriage, and in 1876 he chose for his second wife Miss 
Mary Mullen, a native of Canada, born July 7, 1839, and the daughter 
of James Mullen, who was born in Ireland. To the first union one 
child was born, a daughter named Mary, who is the wife of Frank 
Cigrand, a blacksmith in Argentine. Mr. and Mrs. Cigrand are the 
parents of one child, Carl. Mr. Dauzenroth is a Democrat in poli- 
tics, and held the office of treasurer and city clerk for five years. He 
is a member of the K. of L., of which he was treasurer and 
recording secretary. He is charitable as a supporter of all enter- 
prises for the public good, and is an enterprising, progressive, and 
capable business man, who thoroughly understands the wants of the 
public. 



*^; 



5 fy 



Edward J. Davis, foreman of the machine shop of the Keystone 
Iron Works of Kansas City, Kas., is a skilled machinist and a gentle- 
man, who has the full confidence of his superiors as well as the gen- 
eral and united good will of his men. He first saw the light of day in 
the Empire State, his birth occurring in Fulton, on July 15, and he 
was third in a family of six children —four daughters and two sons. 
The father is a native of the Emerald Isle, is a machinist, and is now 
engaged in that capacity in the Keystone Iron Works. The mother 
died on June 15, 1885. Edward J. Davis secured his primary educa- 
tion in the common public schools, and finished at Cooper Institute, 
New York City, mostly in the mathematical department and in chem- 
istry. At the age of nineteen years he started out for himself, with 
nothing to assist him in making his way in life, except his practical 
education and his trade as a machinist. He first located in Chicago, 
with Frazer, Chalmers & Co., but from there went to Peoria, 111., and 
was in fhe employment of Nichol, Burns & Co., in the machine shops 
for ten months. Later he went to Kansas City, Mo., engaged with 
the State Line Machine Works at that place, as a machinist (1868), and 
in 1873 he was promoted to the position of foreman, in which capacity 
he remained for three years. After this he was with W. A. M. Vaughn 
& Co. , for about six years, and then entered the Keystone Iron Works, 
as foreman of the machine shops, where he has remained since. He 
has a force of about forty experienced machinists, who are able assist- 
ants of the foreman. Mr. Davis was married to Miss Helen Shrews- 
bury, a native of Missouri, born at St. Joe, on November 20, 1860, 
and who received her education in Santa Fe, N. M., at the convent- 
Unto this union one child has been born, who is now deceased. In his 
political views Mr. Davis is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote 
was for Gen. U. S. Grant, during his second administration. Mr. 
Davis is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was chairman of 
the board of engineers in Kansas City, Mo., filling this important 
position for six years, and is a man who has the unbounded respect of 
all with whom he comes in contact. He and wife expect to make 
Kansas City, Mo., their future residing place. They also own prop- 
erty in Wyandotte, Kas. 

Samuel W. Day, president Central Bank of Kansas, and manufact- 
urer of barrels, wooden tanks, tubs, etc., owes his nativity to Ohio, 
his birth occurring in Athens County on March 11, 1841. He was 
reared in Iowa, received a limited education in that State, in fact not 
attending scliool over six months altogether, and is a self-made man. 



r 



fc^ 



57-t HISTOBY OF KANSAS. 



He learned the cooper's trade of his father, and followed it until the 
spring of 1860, when he left and took a trip overland to Colorado, when 
but nineteen years of age. He crossed the plains with a party of five, 
and was about thirty days in making the trip, having some very excit- 
ing and interesting experiences during that time. Their team was 
stampeded one night, and they were left in a bad predicament, but were 
fortunate in finding them the next morning about five miles from their 
camp. Mr. Day was with Kit Carson at Fort Craig in Mexico, and he 
was wounded at Val Verdo, Mex. , by a gun-shot through the left 
thigh in February, 1862. He enlisted at Fairplay, Rocky Mountains, 
and was mustered in at Fort Garland, Mex., serving three years and 
two months in the war. When he was wounded he fell in the hands 
of rebels but was carried off under a flag of truce after lying on the battle- 
field for some time. He had charge of a ward at a hospital in Mexico, 
and was sent with an ambulance from Fort Craig to Santa Fe. He went 
to Fort Union, where he assisted in building the new fort, and this 
was all done on foot, having no horses. From there he went to Fort 
Earned, thence to Fort Riley, Fort Scott, and Fort Gibson, where he 
had charge of the prisoners and was stationed as guard. From there 
they went to Fort Smith, Springfield, (Mo.), thence to Fort Rolla, 
beiog all this time on foot, and here they took the train to St. Louis 
where they were mounted. They then started to Kansas City and he 
was on provost duty for about one year. He was there during Gen. 
Price's last raid and followed him as far as Fort Scott. After being 
discharged Mr. Day worked at his trade for a short time and then 
went to Rulo, Neb. , where he took contract for getting out hay hoops. 
From there he went to Corning, Iowa, thence to Western, Mo., from 
there to Kansas City and then to Arkansas. Later he returned to 
Kansas City, which place has been his permanent home since 1867, 
He is one of the early settlers of that ciiy, is a prominent and success- 
ful business man, and is manufacturing about 125 barrels per day. 
He was married in 1866 to Miss Anna H. Hate, and to them were born 
three children, one now living — Nora. His second marriage occurred 
in September, 1873, to Miss Clarissa D. Copfield, by whom he has six 
children: Myrtle, Samuel, Lena, James, Caddie and Thomas. Mr. 
Day's first wife died in May, 1872. He was one of twelve children 
born to Samuel and Sophiah J. (Ketchum) Day, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. The parents emigrated to Ohio at an early day, and in 1844 
moved to Van Buren County, Iowa. In 1851 they moved to Burling- 
ton of that State, and there the mother died in 1854. The father died 



r 



^ 



WYANDOTTE CODNTY. 575 



in Adams County, Iowa, in 1872. He was a cooper by trade and car- 
ried it on the principal part of his life. In this connection it is but 
proper to state that Mr. Day thinks Kit Carson was one of the best 
men that ever lived. He tells of one incident, showing the noble 
traits of his character. Mr. Carson was a daily visitor to the hospital, 
and on a certain occasion while making his usual calls and inquiring 
after the wants of the sick and wounded, he was told by one of the 
wounded ones that he thought he would be all right if he had some 
tobacco. Mr. Carson inquired if there was none in the sutler's store, 
when answered in the negative, he said there shoiild be some, and 
promised to see about it. Upon investigation he found that the officers 
of his regiment had purchased the entire supply. He at once called 
them together and gave them a good lecturing, and made them get it 
all, and bring to him. He then took it and put it in the dispensary, 
and instructed the hospital stewart to issue so much every day to each 
man who used tobacco. Such unimportant deeds as this made Kit Car- 
son a great favorite with all who knew him, especially the pioneers of 
the West. 

W. C. DeardorfF, foreman of the galvanized iron department of Ar- 
mour's Packing House, and a man eminently qualified for this posi- 
tion, has been in the employment of this company for eight years, 
which in itself speaks well as to his ability. Mr. DeardorfF was born 
in Ohio, Tuscarawas County, in 1856, and is the son of George and 
Elizabeth (Banock) DeardorfF, the father a native of the Keystone Slate, 
and the mother of Baltimore. Md. The parents moved to Ohio at an 
early date, and there the father carried on merchandising in connec- 
tion with farming. They reside at Canal Dover, Ohio, at the present 
time. Both are of German descent. Their family consisted of six chil- 
dren, and our subject is second in order of birth. The paternal grand- 
father was born in Pennsylvania, and was one of the pioneer settlers 
of Canal Dover, Ohio, where he spent the principal part of his life. 
He WHS a merchant by occupation. W. C. DeardorfF remained and as- 
sisted his father on the farm until fifteen years of age, when he learned 
the tinner's trade in his father's store. He worked there all but two 
years before he came here, and those two years he was engaged in the 
stock business at Abilene, Kas. He then engaged in his trade for 
about the same length of time, and then in 18S1 came to Kansas City 
Kas. He entered the employ of Armour as a tinner workman, and six 
months afterward was promoted to his present position, which he has 
held continuously ever since. He was married in St. Louis, Mo., in 






v" 



576 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



1883, to Miss Celia Donzlott, a native of St. Louis, Mo., born in 1862, 
and this union has been blessed by the birth of two children — Ella and 
Harrison. Mr. Ueardorff resides at 1212 North Third Street, where 
he owns a snug property. 

Charles E. De Graw, foreman of the paint department in the Ar- 
mour Packing Company, whose sketch now invites the attention of the 
reader, is a "self-made" man in the most comprehensive meaning of 
that term, one who by dint of natural ability and perseverance has 
raised himself to a high round on the "ladder" of success. His 
early opportunities were not very good, liut it is daily proven that 
everything is possible to him who possesses strength of character and 
"push," and these characteristics certainly belong to Mr. De Graw. 
His birth occurred in Louisville, Ky. , in 1857, but his family moved 
to Arkansas, where they remained three years, moving from there to 
Kansas, and finally settling in Kansas City, in 1867. Here the sub- 
ject of the sketch attained manhood's estate, learning the trade of 
house painting, and so diligently has he worked and given such per- 
fect satisfaction, that at the present writing he holds a position of 
trust with one of the largest and best-known houses in the West. He 
has charge of the wagon and buggy work, refrigerator cars and house 
work, controlling fifteen men, and accumulating a comfortable fortune 
as the years pass by. Mr. De Graw was married, in the year 1876, 
to Miss Annie Peterson, native of Sweden, but who came to the 
United States at the early date of 1870. This union has been blessed 
with five children, viz. : Ella, Edward, Henry, May and Irene E. In 
politics Mr. De Graw is a member of the Republican party, and he is 
also a member of Summunduwott Lodge No. 3, I. O. O. F. , and 
Wide Awake Lodge No. 153, K. of P. He is a thoroughly enter- 
prising and public-spirited man, and is held in the highest esteem by 
the citizens of this community. He has been in the employ of Armour 
since 1875, and this fact alone is proof of his ability to successfully 
fill responsible positions. 

George Whitefield Dement is one of the leading horticulturists of 
Wyandotte Township, and by his birth is a Southern gentleman, for 
he was born in Maysville, Ky. , October 8, 1825, being the second of 
seven children, their names being as follows: Margaret (wife of George 
Wormald, who is a contractor and builder by trade in Covington, Ky.), 
George W. (the subject of this sketch), Isaac (who has been a planter 
of Mississippi since 1849), Mary (wife of Davied Worstell, of Iriugton, 
Ohio), Julia (wife of E. Rickets, of Bloomington, 111.), Sarah (wife of 



^ 



;f^ 



4. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 577 



David Rickets, a plasterer, of Omaha, Neb. ), and Thomas Clinton (who 
died in infancy). Mr. Dement' s father was born and reared in the 
city of Alexandria, Va., and was a potter by trade. He died at the 
age of thirty-five years, and his widow, who was a native of Accomack 
County, Va., afterward married a Mr. Eackles, by whom she became 
the mother of one child, Amanda S. , who is a resident of Kentucky. 
She was first married to a Mr. Lee, but after his death became the 
wife of a Mr. Bright. Mr. and Mrs. Dement were married at the 
dedication of the first Methodist Church of Maysville, Ky., and in that 
town spent most of their married life. The early education of the 
subject was obtained in the early subscription schools of Kentucky, and 
since he reached manhood, Mr. Dement has been a stanch supporter 
and warm advocate of free schools. He commenced life for himself 
as an ai^prentice to the trade of a plasterer, when not quite sixteen 
years of age, and after finishing his apprenticeship, pursued his avo- 
cation for about a quarter of a century. Upon starting out in life for 
himself he had not a dollar in his pocket, but he possessed much pluck 
and energy, and has made a success of his life, for he not only has 
many warm friends but commands the respect of all, and is now a 
well-to-do citizen. In the winter of 1866 he moved to Kansas City, 
Mo., the place at that time consisting of about 3,000 souls. He be- 
came one of the largest contractors of the city, and in 1881 located in 
his present beautiful, commodious and comfortable home, for which 
he paid the sum of .$5,000. His residence is situated on one of the 
finest pieces of land in the vicinity of Kansas City, Kas., and com- 
mands a magnificent and very extended view. He has been offered at 
different times $20,000 for the property, but refuses to sell. His acre 
age comprises ten, and is within one mile of the city limits, and three 
blocks from the Kensington Elevated Eailroad. He is pronounced to 
be the most successful horticulturist in the township, and is an exten- 
sive grower of the following varieties of fruits: Apples, peaches, cher- 
ries, grapes and strawberries, of the following-named kinds: Crescent 
Seedling, Charles Downing, the Boghboro and the Grand Prize. Black- 
berries and raspberries are also raised in abundance, also asparagus 
and all kinds of vegetables. Mr. Dement is a well-posted gentleman, 
and, in fact, is what is called a level-headed man in business circles, 
and is recognized as such. Mr. Dement was married to Miss Eliza- 
beth Martin, who was born in Germany, in 1827, but was reared in 
Pennsylvania and Kentucky. She was educated in the latter State, 
and their marriage took place July 2, 1846, in Aberdeen, Ohio, and 



578 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



has resulted in the birth of five children: Thomas Richard (who was 
an exceptionally bright little boy, died at the age of four years), 
George Whitefield (died at the age of five, and was also very promis- 
ing), Julia Ann (who was born February 29, 1852, was first educated 
in the common schools, but afterward graduated from the Sister's 
Seminary, in Kansas City, Mo. ; she is a finely educated lady, and is re- 
siding in Fleming County, Ky. , where her husband has a valuable plan- 
tation of 000 acres), and Elizabeth (who resides with her husband on a 
farm in Ohio; she received a fine education, and graduated from the 
high school of Kansas City, Mo.) Mr. Dement was formerly an ''Old 
Line Whig" in politics, but ever since the founding of the Republican 
party he has given it his support, and his first presidential vote was 
cast for Gen. Scott. He has been a member of the boards of di- 
rectors and education for some eighteen years, and this stamps him 
as a man in whom the public have reposed much confidence. For 
about twelve years he was a member of the Board of Education in 
Eastern Bolton city schools, of Kansas City, Mo., and he and his wife 
have long been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Kan- 
sas City, Kas. They expect to make their present home their future 
abiding place, where they are surrounded by everything to make life 
happy, their friends being very numerous. This brief sketch of a 
worthy man is an admirable example to all young men who begin to 
stem the current in life with no stock in trade except a pair of willing 
hands, for persistent, honest and consistent endeavor, will, in time, 
conquer all things. 

John Devlin is foreman for the loading gang of the Kansas City 
Packing Company, and was born in Belfast, Ireland, November 9, 1837, 
his parents being James and Mary Ann (Brown) Devlin, also natives of 
the Emerald Isle. He came with his parents to America in 1848, and 
with them settled at St. Louis, Mo., in which city both parents died, 
the former passing from life in 1865 and the latter in 1857. To them 
seven children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the 
second, two sons and one daughter only being now alive. After the 
death of his first wife the father married Miss Alice McGrath, who 
bore him three sons, only one now living. During the greater part of 
his life he was employed in packing-houses, and for about two years 
was a member of Company D, First Missouri Artillery. John Devlin 
received his early education in Ireland, and in St. Louis, Mo., and 
when only a small lad he became employed in a packing-house in St. 
Louis, and has been connected with like establishments up to the 



^^ 



riv 



J, 



>>. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 579 



present time. After working for ten years for Charles Peper, of St. 
Louis, and two winters for the Boonville Packing Company, of Boonville, 
Mo., one winter for Hawke & Maxon, of East Nebraska, Iowa, he, in 
1878, became an employe of the Urm of Morris, Butt & Co., then at St. 
Louis, and has been in their employ ever since, the firm name having 
been changed to the Kansas City Packing Company. He came to Kansas 
City in 1886, and has since been foreman of the loading and packing 
gang, a position he is filling very creditably. At the age of twenty 
years he was married in St. Louis, Mo., to Miss Mary Ann McGarry, 
a native of Ireland, who came to America in 1855. Mr. Devlin and 
his wife are the parents of the following children: William John, 
Francis, Alexander John, James, George, Theresa Catherine and Isa- 
belle, only the two latter being alive. Mrs. Devlin is a member of the 
Episcopal Church, a true Christian and an intelligent woman, and Mr. 
Devlin is a member of the Catholic Church, and in his political views 
a Democrat. 

William H. Dickard, the subject of the present sketch, requires no 
special introduction to the inhabitants of Wyandotte County, Kas. , 
being both well known and liked by all in his vicinity. He is a native 
of Indiana, his birth occurring in that State, October 13, 1853, he 
being the only child born to his father's first marriage. The father 
was a soldier and sacrificed his life upon the battle- field at Resaca, 
Ga. He enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Indiana Infantry, was as- 
signed to the Army of the Potomac, so far as the information pos- 
sessed by his son goes, and returned home no more. Both of Mr. 
Dickard' s parents were natives of the State of Indiana, the father 
being a blacksmith by trade. Though Mr. Dickard received only a 
common-school education, he embraced every possible opportunity to 
gain knowledge and fit himself for a successful business career. De- 
prived of his father's protection, he commenced life for himself at the 
very early age of ten years, learning the trade of -carriage painting in 
Washington, Davis County, Ind. Thus the money that he has ac- 
cumulated is due entirely to his own industry and perseverance, and 
his life forms a good model for young people commencing life without 
any other assistance than their own ability. Mr. Dickard married 
Miss Lola Ann Watkins, of Tennessee, who was born there in 1860, 
and educated in Wyandotte County. They were united in marriage on 
December 25, 1878, and unto them have been born four children — two 
sons and two daughters — viz. : Earl, George Etta (a bright little girl 
of ten years), William Thomas (aged seven years), Claude (who is five 



Ip* 



580 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



years old), and Alice (the baby of three years). Mr. Dickard is a man 
of firm principles and strict integrity, and one who weighs matters 
carefully before deciding upon public issues. His interest in public 
schools has been great, and he has devoted much time to their ad- 
vancement and improvement. He came to Kansas upon a tour of in- 
spection in 1865, but did not locate here until the year 1869. When 
he first settled in Wyoming County it was far from attractive as a lo- 
cation, there having been no real improvements made at that time. 
Land sold for from $10 to $50 per acre that now brings $300 per 
acre. Mr. Dickard' s estate is especially vahiable from the fact that it 
lies within the manufacturing part of the county, and on the banks of 
a river. When he first saw Kansas City, Kas., it comprised only 
about 500 inhabitants, while at the present date it is a thriving city 
of 43,000 population, and growing all the time with wonderful rapidity. 
Joseph Doleshal, of Kansas City, Kas., is an Austrian by birth, 
being born in that country on June 9, 1861, to Vinzens and Anna 
(Habranek) Doleshal, with whom he came to America, at the age of 
fifteen years, leaving Hamburg on October 8, 1875, on the steamer 
'■ Willand," and reaching New York City after a voyage of fifteen 
days. They proceeded immediately to Columbus, Ohio, and two 
months later the father, mother and their children, with the excep- 
tion of the subject of this sketch, came to Kansas and located near 
Wyandotte, and for two years farmed a portion of the land now oc- 
ciipied by Kansas City, Kas. In February, 1878, they moved near 
Hays City, Kas. , but after farming there nearly two years, they, in July, 
1879, returned to Wyandotte, in which place they are now residing, 
being earnest members of the Catholic Church at that place. Joseph 
was the tenth of their eleven children, the names of the family being 
as follows: William, John, Mary, Antonia, Katie, Anna, Joseph, Katie, 
Vinzens, Joseph and Charles. Those deceased are Mary, the two 
Katies, the elder Joseph, Anna and Vinzens. John, Antonia, Joseph 
and Charles live in Kansas City, and William lives near Hays City on 
a farm. All have been married, but Antonia is now a widow. Joseph 
Doleshal, the subject of this sketch, remained in Columbus, Ohio, for 
over a year after his parents removed to Kansas, and while there, im- 
proved his time by learning the tinners' trade. In March, 1877, he 
too came to Wyandotte, Kas., and after working at his trade a short 
time, he spent a few months in the employ of the Armour Packing 
Company, after which he accompanied his parents to Hays City, and 
during the following summer assisted his father at farming. In the 



^ 



\ 



fall of 1878 he went to Kansas City, Mo., where for eighteen months 
he worked in a meat-market, but returned at the end of that time and 
re-entered the employ of the Armour Packing Company, with which he 
remained until 1881, holding the position of foreman during the last 
six months. From November 1, 1881, until the middle of April, 1882, 
he worked in the packing-house of Jacob Dold & Son, and for nearly 
a year following this was a foreman in the packing-house of George 
Fowler & Son. On June 2, 1883, with the money which he had 
labored so hard to win, he and his brother Charles, opened a meat 
market on the corner of Fifth Street and Emerson Avenue, they suc- 
cessfully conducting this establishment until May 8, 1885, when they 
purchased the meat market at No. 503 Minnesota Avenue, after which 
they conducted both markets until December 24, 1887. when the 
market on Minnesota Avenue was sold, at which time Joseph Doleshal 
sold his interest in the establishment at the corner of Fifth Street and 
Emerson Avenue to his brother. On June 15, 1888, he purchased two 
vacant lots at Nos. 657 and 659 Garfield Avenue, and upon one of 
them about March 1, 1888, he began the erection of a two- story busi- 
ness building, 20x60, which was completed by June 1, following. In 
it on the 18'th of the same month, he opened a meat market and 
groeerv, and on December 12, 1889, he took as a partner Edward J. 
Menninger, and the firm of Doleshal & Menninger has existed ever 
since their establishment being one of the leading ones of the kind m 
the city. Immediately after this partnership was formed, Mr. Dole- 
shal began to erect upon his other lot a business house of the same 
dimensions as the first, and the lower part of it was soon ready for 
occupancy, and into it they moved their stock of meats. Soon after 
this a tire broke out, and before it could be extinguished, the entire 
upper story of both rooms, together with their stock was destroyed, 
entailing the loss of about 14,000, a portion of which was covered by 
insurance. Mr. Doleshal immediately set about rebuilding, and by 
May 10, was again ready for business. His business block is one of 
the best in the north part of the city, and both his grocery and meat 
market are admirably conducted. He was married on October 4, 188 (, 
to Miss Minnie Menninger, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Menninger, 
of this city, and a sister of his business partner. She was born m 
Cincinnati, Ohio, September 18, 1861, and has borne Mr. Doleshal a 
son Joseph F., who was born on November 19, 1888. He and his 
wife are consistent members of the Catholic Church, and he belongs 
to the C. M. B. A., and in his political views is a Democrat. He is a 



\t<|s r- 



^^ 



■wide- awake business man, and he and his wife have a large circle of 
friends. 

David J. Doody is foreman of the label department of Armour's 
Packing House, and although he has resided here for a number of 
years, he is a native New Yorker, his birth occurring in 1854. He re- 
ceived his education in the Seventh Ward School in New York City, 
and after reaching a proper age was a rubber cutter for a gutta-percha 
company, and was at times, in later years, in the emjjloy of the Gov- 
ernment during difFerent administrations. He is a born leader of men, 
and since a boy has been interested in the political affairs of the 
country, and for many years has never acted in any other capacity than 
that of foreman, in any business in which he has been engaged. In 
1878 he came west, and took up some land in Pottawatomie County, 
Kas., but subsequently came to Kansas City, and for some time acted 
as foreman in a railroad business. He soon became known as a polit- 
ical leader in this section, called a meeting of his party, and was the 
means of electing a certain mayor, and as a consequence, was made 
deputy superintendent of the workhouse of Kansas City, and held 
the position three years. He then entered Armour's packing estab- 
lishment as a laborer, but was soon made foreman of the label depart- 
ment, and efficiently has he discharged his every duty. He is mild 
yet determined in his dealings with men, and is something of a philan- 
thropist, being very liberal in his contributions to all worthy enter- 
prises, and generous and kind to all. He is possessed of far more than 
average ability, and his good judgment and intellect have been thor- 
oughly appreciated by his Republican friends, and although he is not 
an aspirant for office, yet he has been a member of State conventions 
and State senatorial and county central committees. His brother, J. 
W. Doody, is at present at work under him, but was formerly a sailor 
on the high seas for twelve years, and visited all parts of the world. 
He was with the expedition in the interests of the New Y'^ork Geograph- 
ical Society, that discovered the spoons among the Esquimaux, that 
resulted in the final discovery of the fate of Franklin and his 150 men, 
who were lost in 1844. While he was on an expedition to Costa Rica, at 
the town of Port Lemonde, several people had died of " Yellow Jack," 
and their bodies were thrown into some box cars, and were carried out 
of the town and buried. The cars then returned, infested as they 
were, filled with bananas for the United States, hence one of the 
greatest yellow fever scourges of the country. 

Maj. E. S. W. Drought is a Canadian by birth, born in Montreal 



7f 



-■FT 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 583 



iu 1844, and when a child was brought to the United States by his 
parents, and has been a resident of Kansas since he was thirteen or 
fourteen years of age, his education and rearing being received in this 
State. In 1861 he went to Colorado, but returned in the spring of 
that year and joined the Union army, becoming a member of William- 
son's Mounted RiHes, but in the spring of the following year was 
transferred to the Fifth Kansas Cavalry, and was mustered out of 
service at Fort Leavenworth in the month of August, 1864. In 1864 
he organized a force of men, and took a herd of 1,000 cattle from Kan- 
sas to Fort Sumner, N. M., but his main object was to go with thirty 
of the men to Old Mexico to fight the Greasers. While waiting for a 
guide in New Mexico, they were disbanded by order of the Govern- 
ment, and in March, 1865, reached home. He was afterward connect- 
ed with a force which was to storm Petersburg, Va. , but the war closed 
before they could do so. He was then on guard duty at Washington, 
D. C, for several months, after which he returned to his old home 
in Kansas, and opened a general store at Salina, Kas., which he 
continued to conduct until he, in September, 1867, received the ap- 
pointment of post trader at Fort Laramie, Wyo., the duties of 
which he discharged until November, 1869, at which time he re- 
turned to Leavenworth, Kas. In the spring of 1870 he moved to 
Wyandotte, and after following farming and stock-raising for some 
time, was elected to the position of county sheriff, which he held from 
1871 to 1875. He next tilled the j)osition of county treasurer for four 
years, and the following six years were spent as a representative of 
Wyandotte County, in the State Legislature, and was an able and act- 
ive member of that body, his views on all matters being shrewd and 
sensible. In 1885 he organized a company under the statutes of Kan- 
sas, and made the surveys and locations of the Kansas City, Wyan- 
dotte & North- Western Railroad, from here to Beatrice, Neb., and 
during the following year carried the bonds of the road to Wyandotte 
County, and commenced the construction of the road under the re- 
organization. At the same time he was engaged in the construction of 
some of the substantial buildings of Kansas City, among which may be 
mentioned the court-house, and has otherwise been a useful citizen of 
the place. He is a prominent politician and is a stanch Republican. 
Goliah Dunbar is foreman of the coal and lumber department of 
Armour's Packing House, at Kansas City, and has been honorably 
connected with this establishment for more than two years. Although 
still a young man, his views on all subjects are sound, and being enter- 



.L 



^ ^ ^ -^ ''"^*> 




prising, industrious and pushing, he is one of the establishment's val- 
ued employes. He was born in Clark County, Iowa, in 1861, but 
waa afterward taken to Washington County by his parents, and there 
made his home, until he was about eighteen years of age, when he 
went to the Hoosier State, and for a number of years worked at 
various callings, near Crawfordsville, in Clinton County. His next 
move was to Washington County, Kas., where he intended to enter 
some land, but as the land office was closed at that time, he was com- 
pelled to abandon the idea for some time, and when he did have the 
opportunity all the best land was taken. After spending one year in 
that place, he returned to Washington County, Iowa, thence to Fair- 
field, Iowa, moving thither with his young wife, whom he had married 
in Washington County, and in the above-mentioned town he worked at 
railroading, until 1884, when he came to Kansas City, his first em- 
ployment being Dole's Packing House, becoming afterward an em- 
ploye of Mr. Fowler. The latter sent him to a ranch in Waubansee 
County, but at the end of one year he went to Clay Centre, Kas. , and 
for six months worked in a blacksmith shop. He next found employ- 
ment in a brick-yard belonging to a man by the name of Speck, after- 
ward becoming foreman of a brick yard. He again returned to Kan- 
sas City, and worked in the smoke-house of the Fowler Packing Com- 
pany, but a year later entered Mr. Armour's employ, being in the olio 
room at first, receiving his present appointment some time after. He 
unfortunately got his foot mashed, which necessitated the ampu- 
tation of the leg, and for this received $2,500 from an insurance 
company. His residence is at No. 717 Greeley Avenue, and, besides this 
property he owns some lots on Minnesota Avenue, between Thirteenth 
and Fourteenth Streets. He is a Democrat and a member of the A. 
O. U. W. His wife was formerly Miss Minerva E. George, whose 
birth occurred in Illinois, in 1866, and their marriage, which took 
place in 1882, has resulted in the birth of two childi-en: John M. and 
Gracie E. 

Robert Duncan, grocer, Edwardsville, Kas. The field of enter- 
prise opened up in the grocery line is a large one, and many prominent 
citizens of Edwardsville are engaged therein. Among the representa- 
tive houses that of Mr. Robert Duncan is entitled to due recognition. 
This gentleman has been in business here for four years, carries a 
stock of goods valued at 11,500, and is doing an annual business of 
about $5,000. He owes his nativity to New Brunswick, his birth oc- 
curring on September 20, 1830, and is the son of John and Christina 



A 







(Gerrad) Duncan, botli natives of Scotland. The parents were mar- 
ried in New Brunswick, and their eight sons and one daughter were 
l)oru and reared there. Robert Duncan, the fifth in order of birth of 
the above-mentioned children, left the parental roof when nine years 
of age and went with a Mr. Esson to near Kingston, Upper Canada. 
He remained with this family for about ten years, received a good com- 
mon-school education, and during this time clerked in a mercantile 
establishment. Then from 1849 until 1863 he was in the Cobury post- 
office, Ottawa and Kingston, also engaged in clerking. In 1863 his 
health failed from confinement, and he decided to come west, his ob- 
ject being to locate somewhere along the line of the Union Pacific 
Railroad. He went to work on the road with pick and shovel, work- 
ing on this and the Leavenworth branch from 1863 to 1868, and also 
engaged in various other occupations, such as farming, saw-milling, 
etc. At the last mentioned date he settled here, and for sis years was 
foreman for Mr. Taylor, in his business. During 1877 he was town- 
ship trustee, and for several years was clerk of the township board, 
also clerk of the school board. In 1863 he was married to Miss Mary 
A. Jett'ers. Previous to this, in 1858, he was married in Canada, to 
Miss Margaret Wilson, who bore him two children — a son and daugh- 
ter. The daughter, Fannie C, married and resides in Winnipeg, 
Canada. Mr. Duncan and his present wife are members of the Christian 
Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. 

Lewis J. Early, real estate broker of Kansas City, Kas. The 
principal necessity to the real estate business, the safest and surest 
form of investment, is to have reliable agents who are thoroughly 
posted on their city and locality, and Mr. Early may be truly said to 
be one of these gentlemen, for he first came to Kansas in 1863. from 
his native State of Ohio. During a four years' residence in Kansas 
City, Mo., he foresaw the prosperous future of Wyandotte and located 
here in the spring of 1881, purchasing and platting Moody & Early's 
Addition, Early's First and Second Additions, Morris & Early's, and 
Glenwood Gi'ove, all of which have been disposed of on the install- 
ment plan, which has given men, unprepared to pay cash, a good op- 
portunity to secure neat and comfortable homes on the payment of 
a small monthly sum. Mr. Early was the first gentleman in the city 
to inaugurate this system, and has received as low as $5 per month for 
some of his lots. On many he erected houses and has sold them, ready 
finished, at what would be a reasonable rent by the month. He is a 
practical business man in every sense of the word; a shrewd calcula- 



^1 



586 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



tor, possesses untiring energy, and he is one of the gentlemen who has 
helped to make Kansas City the prosperous and pushing city it now is. 
A short time since he purchased a tract of land called Elmwood, in 
which his son, G. W Early, treasurer of the Great Western Manu- 
facturing Company, at Leavenworth, is a partner. He now has control 
of Gaylord & Perkins' Addition and Forest Grove, in which he has large 
personal interests, and by leniency, upright dealing, and sterling 
integrity, he has won the respect and esteem of all who know him. 
His estimate of land values is unquestioned, and his judgment is sought 
and relied upon by capitalists, who consider him one of the most 
cautious as well as enterprising and successful dealers in real 
estate. 

David Eaton is an esteemed business man of Kansas City, Kas., 
his native birthplace being the State of Mississippi, where he tirst 
saw the light of day on July 12, 1838, and was the eldest of twelve 
children, live now living, born to the marriage of William Eaton and 
Minerva Dunlap, the former born in Barren County, Ky. , in 1815, 
and the latter a native of Tennessee, born in 1822. They were mar- 
ried about 1837, and throughout the greater portion of his life the 
father followed the calling of a farmer, and was giving his attention 
to this occupation at the time of his death, which occurred in December, 
1868. His widow survives him, her home being in Kansas City, Mo. 
Their children who are living are David, Henry (who is a farmer by 
occupation and resides seven miles west of Kansas City, Kas. ), Frank 
(who is a resident of Armourdale in this city), Sarah Frances (wife of 
Joshua Lawrence, of Kansas City, Mo., who is following (he pursuit 
of stationery engineering, while his wife manages a large restaurant 
on the corner of Twelfth and Liberty Streets), and Thomas (who works 
on the railroad, and is a resident of Kansas City, Mo.). All are mar- 
ried with the exception of the latter. While David Eaton was a 
small child his parents removed from Mississippi to Tennessee, and 
subsequently, during his early life, to Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, 
Indiana, Texas and Illinois, the father's death occurring in Madison 
County of the latter State. David began the duties of life for him- 
self while in this county, being engaged in tilling the soil, but in 1879 
came west to Pierce City, Mo. , where he spent two years working at 
the butcher's trade and teaming. He next located in Springfield, Mo., 
where for two years he was employed as a car repairer in the shops of 
the San Francisco Railway. In March, 1884, he came to Kansas City, 
Mo. , and a few weeks later to Kansas City, Kas. , where his home has 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



587 



since been. The first two years here were spent at car work for the 
Missouri Pacitic Railway, but on April 16, 1887, he began business at 
No. 6 South Fifth Street, and has been running a well-appointed 
grocery establishment at that place up to the present time. At first 
he had nothing but a small lunch counter, but as time passed on, with 
the proceeds of this he began adding a -few groceries, and has now be- 
come one of the well appointed establishments of the kind in the city. 
He carries a full line of pure and fresh groceries, a good stock of to- 
bacco, cigars and flour, and a choicb assortment of fresh and salted 
meats. His establishment is recognized as an excellent place to trade 
by the citizens of that portion of the city, and accordingly his patron- 
age has become very large. Mr. Eaton was married on December 29, 
1862, to Miss Martha Bradshaw, who died in 1869, after having given 
birth to four children, all of whom died in infancy. On March 16, 
1875, his union to Miss Josephine Lewis took place, but her death oc- 
curred in 1888, after she had borne six children: Rosetta and Jeanetta, 
who are aged respectively, ten and six years, are the only ones living. 
On January 27, 1890, Mr. Eaton's third marriage took jjlace, his wife 
being Mrs. Blanche Henry, who resided at Independence, Mo. , and 
whose maiden name was Todd. When Mr. Eaton began business for 
himself he had but $15 in money, and was $85 in debt, but in the 
short space of three and one-half years he built up a grocery, which 
is now one of the leading ones in the city, and made numerous friends. 
His grandparents were John and Sallie Eaton. 

Maj. R. E. Ela, contractor, Kansas City, Kas. This prominent 
business man was originally from Lebanon, N. H., his birth occurring 
in 1841, and as he grew to manhood he received excellent educational 
advantages, graduating from the Chandler Scientific Department of 
Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H. , receiving the degree of B. S., in 
1868. This course included civil engineering. After leaving college he 
went on the Northern Railroad, of New Hampshire, and on the Portland 
& Ogdensburg, until he came West in the spring of 1871. He located 
in Wyandotte County, and was elected county surveyor, serving two 
years in that capacity. In 1876 he went to Colorado, surveying and 
engineering, but later returned, and was contracting and building un- 
til 1882. He was then appointed city engineer, served in that position 
for one year, and has since been in the contract business on public 
works. He paved Quindaro Boulevard, and was with the company 
that paved La Fayette Avenue, Stewart Avenue, Fifth Street north, 
Third Street north, and Southwest Boulevard, also the Shawnee & 






588 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Pi'itchard Road; he also paved Nebraska Avenue from Third to Fourth 
Street, Seventh Street from Parallel to Quindaro Boulevard, and is 
now on the Fourth Street paving. He is grading Eleventh Street 
from Minnesota Avenue to Quindaro BoiTlevard. Maj. Ela was mar- 
ried in Quindaro in 1871 to Miss Mary A. Gray, a native of Illinois, 
and the fruits of this union were two children: Myron G. and Rich- 
ard E. In politics the Major is a Republican, and socially he belongs 
to the A. O. U. W. The father of Mr. Ela is of English, and the 
mother of French descent, and on both sides they are long-lived peo- 
ple. The Major was in school seven years, and was back to the alumni 
on July 7, 1890. 

J. M. Enochs, real estate and collecting agent, notary public and 
conveyancer, Armourdale, Kas. In that proud series of names which 
has made Armourdale what it is, that of Enochs holds a leading place. 
J. M. Enochs is a native of Ohio, born in Washington County, October 
18, 1828, and his parents, Henry and Jane (Miller) Enochs, were na- 
tives of Ohio, and early settlers of Ohio. The great-grandfathers on 
both sides were in the Revolutionary War, and both grandfathers were 
in the War of 1812. Elisha Enochs was a Methodist minister, and 
had one son who became quite a noted minister. He was a resident 
of Monroe County, Ohio, for over sixty years, and died there when 
eighty-seven years of age. The father of our subject was the first white 
child born in Enoch Township, Monroe County, Ohio (which township 
was named in honor of the Enochs family), his birth occurring March 
26, 1806. He was a farmer and a local minister, and his death oc- 
curred in 1886. The mother was born in December, 1808, and died 
in 1888. They reared thirteen children, the eldest being our subject: 
Nancy (born May 28, 1830), Barbara (born December 18, 1831), Elisha 
(born July 17, 1833), Henry (born March 27, 1838), Mary J. (deceased, 
born October 21, 1839), Alfred O. (born June 3, 1841), Columbus (born 
February 22, 1843), Lydia A. (born November 8, 1844), Frances (de- 
ceased, born March 8, 1847), Martha (born February 17, 1850), Leon- 
ard O. (born January 24, 1852), and Caroline (born April 25, 1854). 
Five sons were soldiers in the late war, four of whom were commis- 
sioned ofiScers. Henry was mustered out as a brevet brigadier-gen- 
eral, Alfred was a captain, and two others lieutenants. J. M. Enochs 
was educated in the common schools of his native county, and assisted 
on his father's farm until twenty-one years of age. He theu began 
following the blacksmith's trade, which he had learned in his youth, and 
worked at this from 1848 until the war broke out, in 1861. He left 



V^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



589 



Ohio in 1852, went to Illinois, and was there married to Miss Caroline 
Cook, a native of Connecticut, one year later. In 1854 he went to 
Sarpy County, Neb., settled among the Indians, and was the first jus- 
tice of the peace of that county. He still has the commission, dated 
April 24, 1855, signed by Gov. Mark W. Izard. In 1857 he was com- 
missioned sheriff of the same county, serving but a short time when he 
was elected to the office on the Republican ticket. He remained here 
vmtil 1858, when he crossed to Iowa, taking the old Blormon trail 
through the State, and locating in Buchanan County, where he ran a 
blacksmith shop until the breaking out of hostilities. In 1861 he en- 
listed in Company L, First Iowa Cavalry, and was with Gen. Steele 
all through the campaign of the Western Army. He was slightly 
wounded by a gun-shot at Prairie Grove. At Little Rock, Ark. , he 
was commissioned a lieutenant, and served as such till the clo.^e of the 
war. He witnessed many hardships and went through enough to have 
killed most men. Returning to Iowa after the war, he remained there 
until 1866, when he came to Atchison, Kas., and there ran a butcher 
shop for some time. After this he was in Lawrence for about four 
years, and then was on a farm in Leavenworth County for a number 
of years. In 1884 he came to Kansas City, Kas. , and subsequently 
engaged in his present business. He has been a member of the city 
council and is a man respected and esteemed by all who know him. 
He is master of the Masonic lodge and past grand of the I. O. O. F., 
and has represented both fraternities in the Grand Lodge several times. 
To his marriage were born five children, four living: Mary J., Mattie 
C, Maggie A. and Carrie. Henry is deceased. 

L. J. Enright is a well known contractor and builder of Argentine, 
Kas., and is recognized throughout this section of the country as a 
liberal, generous and high-minded gentleman. He was born in Atchi- 
son, Steuben County, N. Y. , on January 16, 1860, being the fourth of 
eleven children born to Murty and Johanna (Hunt) Enright, they be- 
ing also born in that State, the father a successful tiller of the soil. 
In 1868 Mr. Enright sold his old farm in New York, and came west, 
settling in Kansas City, Mo., with the hopes of benefiting his health, 
and as his health improved, he became actively engaged in contract- 
ing, and soon had more work to do than he could successfully manage. 
In 1878, owing to the general failure of his health, he gave up this 
business, which was placed in the hands of his son, the subject of this 
sketch. The latter, in 1880, built the celebrated Bluff Street sewer, 
at a cost of $714,000, and also built Grand Avenue sewer, which cost 



-.^ 



4^ 



•k 



590. 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



some $38,800. The first job of street paving in Kansas City, Kas. , 
was done by him on Kansas Avenue, which cost about $70,000, also 
Ninth, Fifteenth and Ann Streets, and sewers on Sixteenth Street, 
Shawnee Avenue, Third and Fourth Streets, making a total amount of 
$100,000. He also did the grading on the Southern Bridge road, and 
the grading on Osage Avenue. The work here and in Argentine kept 
from twenty- five to eighty men steadily employed the year round, and 
Mr. Enright has been exceptionally successful in these enterprises, and 
is now a heavy stockholder in the Thayer & Enright Street Railway, 
which runs through Argentine, Armourdale and Old Wyandotte, cross- 
ing the Union Pacific viaduct. In 1884 he was elected a member of 
the town council of Argentine, and the following year was chosen 
mayor on the Republican ticket, and reelected on the same in 1886. 
The same year he made the race for sheriff against Tom Bowling, who 
is considered one of the most popular men in the county, and although 
the latter was successful in seciiring the office, it was only by a small 
majority. For the last three years he has been a member of the school 
board, and is interested in the City Waterworks, and the Electric 
Light Company. He has made an excellent start in the accumulation 
of worldly goods, and is now the owner of twenty acres of good land 
within the city limits. He has been a life-long Republican, and is a 
member of Argentine Lodge of the A. O. U. W. 

J. F. Ensminger is an Ohioan, reared and educated there, his 
knowledge of books being acquired in the common schools and the 
State Normal School. After reaching a proper age, he began mer- 
chandising at Fostoria, Ohio, and after successfully following this call- 
ing for two years, he opened a wholesale establishment at Toledo, 
Ohio, but just before opening his establishment here, he spent some 
time in the State of Minnesota for the benefit of his health. After a 
while he was taken with the western fever, and in 1884 came to Kan- 
sas City, Kas., after having traveled for a Chicago house for nearly 
three years. He had money invested in real estate at this point, and 
after locating here, he opened a clothing store, his establishment be- 
ing the largest one of the kind in the city. He does a purely cash 
business, is the heaviest advertising merchant in the place, and he has, 
by his many sterling business qualities, built up a trade that extends 
throughout this and the surrounding country'. Throughout his en- 
tire business career, so well did he manage his afi^airs, that he 
never allowed a draft to mature on him or go to protest. He has 
always donated liberally of his means to charitable enterprises, but 



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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 591 



never put his name on a subscription paper. He also was the pro- 
prietor of the establishment known as the Minnesota Hat Company at 
this point, but afterward sold out. He has been very successful in 
his operations in Wyandotte County, but as his health was very poor 
for some time, he disposed of all his business in Kansas City, and with 
his wife made a trip to Europe, visiting England, Ireland, Scotland, 
Wales, France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, and all the principal 
cities of each. He returned to the United States, however, perfectly 
satisfied to remain a subject of Uncle Sam, and now has one of the 
pleasantest homes in Kansas City. His wife was formerly Miss Hattie 
S. Hoffman, by whom he has two interesting children: Frank and 
Burt. 

Reynold Erickson. Among the establishments which opened in 
Kansas City, Kas. , in 1882, the one owned by Mr. Erickson is well 
founded and is a popular place of business. This gentleman was born 
in Sweden June 22, 18-18, his parents being Erick and Catherine (Pe- 
terson) Erickson, their marriage taking place about 1830. Their chil- 
dren are as follows: Peter, Catherine, Mary, Anderson, Larson, Jo- 
hanna, Eegena, John and Reynold, who lived to maturity, and three 
that died in infancy. Peter and Catherine have since died, and only 
seven are now living. Of this family Reynold is the only one who 
came to America, but two daughters of his brother Larson, a daughter 
of Peter and a son of Anderson, have since come to this country, the 
first two being residents of Michigan, the second of St. Paul, Minn., 
and the last of Kansas City, Kas. The subject of this sketch was only 
four months old when his father died, and was but five years of age 
when his mother passed from life. The father was a farmer by occu- 
pation, and was one of the wealthy men of his community, being the 
owner of about 350 acres of well-improved land, which was also well 
stocked. He was a worthy citizen, and highly respected in the place 
in which he resided. Reynold spent his boyhood on the old home 
farm, living with a married sister after the death of bis mother, and 
the knowledge of books which he now has was obtained between the 
ages of seven and seventeen years, from the time he was sixteen years 
of age being an attendant at a high school. In the spring of 1866 
he started for America, and first went to Gothenburg, where he em- 
barked for Hull, England, going from there by rail to Liverpool, 
where he embarked on a steamer for the United States. The vessel 
touched at Queenstown, Ireland, and after a stormy voyage of twenty- 
eight days reached the city of New York. After remaining in that 



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592 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



place one week he came as far west as Chicago, in which place he 
stayed two weeks, then went via Green Bay to the mining regions near 
Lake Superior, and worked one year in the iron mines. He then re- 
turned to Chicago, but three weeks later wont to Missouri, spending 
two weeks at Macon City and two weeks at St. Louis, at the end of 
which time he went to Springfield, in the vicinity of which place he 
remained three months, helping to build a railroad. He next returned 
to St. Louis, but after four months spent in a blacksmith's shop he 
was taken ill, and it was some seven months before he was again able to 
work. From St. Louis he crossed the river to Belleville, 111., and near 
that place stopped at a farm-house for about two weeks, being still too 
weak to do much of anything. From this place he went to a hospital 
in Belleville, and three weeks later, having partially recovered, he went 
to Misgoota, 111., a few miles from Belleville, near which place he ob- 
tained employment with a farmer, remaining with him for about nine 
months, and working when he was able. For one month after leaving 
this place he was employed at what was called the Half-Way House, 
between St. Louis and Belleville, and for his work here received 116, 
with which he went to St. Louis, and bought a ticket for Kansas City, 
coming by way of the river, he arrived at his destination in August, 
1869, but a few days later was again overtaken by sickness, and was 
obliged to spend several weeks in the city hospital. As soon as he 
became well enough to leave the hospital he went to Indian Creek, 
Kas., and there remained in the family of an Indian for three months. 
Later he returned to Kansas City, from which place he went to Fort 
Scott, Kas. , and for one summer he assisted in building the Fort Scott 
& Gulf Railway, returning at the end of that time to Kansas City and 
hiring out to W. H. Ryus, for whom he chopped wood for some two 
months in Wyandotte County, Kas. We next find him in Paoli, Kas., 
in the vicinity of which place he labored at farm work three years. 
He then once more came to Kansas City, and with the money that he 
had saved he bought a vacant lot at No. 320 James Street, this being 
about the year 1872. For a year following this he worked in a pack- 
ing-house for Thomas J. Bigger, from whom he had bought the lot 
mentioned above, after which he went to Jasper County, Mo., and 
sjaent several months prospecting for coal. Returning to Kansas City 
he re-entered the employ of Mr. Bigger, remaining with him about 
three months longer, after which he worked for the Armourdale Pack- 
ing Company a few weeks, and was afterward employed for two months 
piaking railroad ties in Clay County, Mo. Two months were then 



3PI' 



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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



593 



spent in stone quarrying at ^Vhite Eock, Mo., and the followiog win 
ter he acted as yardman for the Pacific Hotel, after which he went to 
Council Bluffs, Iowa, and for a short time was in the Pacific Hotel of 
that place. Fort Dodge, Iowa, was his next stopping place, a short 
time being spent in the coal mine of that place, after which he went to 
Iowa Falls, and in the vicinity of that place worked through a harvest 
and threshing season, the following winter being spent in a packing- 
bouse in Des Moines. In the spring he went to Sioux Falls and was 
engaged in the patent-right business for a short time, after which Cus- 
ter City, Dak., was the scene of his operations, he being in that place 
when Gen. Custer was killed by the Indians four miles distant. From 
that place he went to Fort Perry, thence to Fort Sully, and here he 
and a companion bought an Indian dug-out, and in it drifted and 
rowed down the Missouri River to St. Joe. a distance of nearly 3,000 
miles. They stopped off at this place a week, after which Mr. Erick- 
son came once more to Kansas City, and for one month worked as a 
section hand. He then spent a suSicient length of time in Tonga- 
noxie, Kas. , to assist in the building of a foundation of a mill, after 
which he returned to Kansas City and worked the following winter in 
the Armourdale Packing House, and the next spring, which was the 
spring of 1880, he built upon his James Street lot the foundation for 
his present business building. The next year he erected a one-story 
stone building, 22x62 feet, and in 1882 engaged in the grocery bus- 
iness in this building. At the end of eighteen months he sold a half 
interest in it to F. O. Wheeler, which connection lasted for five years. 
Mr. Erickson then sold his half to John L. Jones, and as he had been 
elected to the position of assistant street commissioner of Kansas City, 
he began discharging his duties, and continued to do so for one year. 
He next served nine months on the police force under Chief Serviss, 
and then spent a few months in the stockyards. In May he and his 
present partner, O. Nelson, bought a grocery on West Seventh Street, 
Kansas City. Mo., and in the fall of 1889 the firm of Erickson & Nel- 
son bought a stock of groceries from William Baggs, who had been 
doing business in Mr. Erickson' s building on James Street. The 
stock of goods on West Seventh Street was then removed to the James 
Street building, and the two were united into one large establishment, 
which he and Mr. Nelson have conducted very successfully up to the 
present time. Mr. Erickson has since added a second story to his 
building, with an additional twenty-eight feet in length, so that it is now 
ninety feet long. He also owns a lot at No. 318 James Street, and 



594 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



upon it he has erected a two-stoiy frame business building which he 
rents. He was married in 1882 to Miss Cecelia Nelson, a native of 
Sweden, who came to America in 1871. She had three daughters by 
a former marriage, their names being Edith, Selma and Huldah. Mr. 
Erickson has always been noted for his industry, and although he met 
with many difficulties on first coming to this country he has sur- 
mounted them all, and bids fair to become a wealthy man as he is, al- 
ready, an honored citizen. 

Dr. Chauncey E. Fairchild, of Kansas City, Kas. , was born in Che- 
nango County,. N Y., February 4, 1818, being the second of three 
children born to Agur and Betsey (Hodge) Fairchild, the former of 
whom was born in Derby, Conn., December 9, 1782, and the latter in 
New Haven County, Conn., in 1792, their union taking place April 6, 
1814. They died on October 18, 1846, and in June, 1849, respectively, 
after having passed long and useful lives. The paternal grandparents. 
Dr. Joseph and Hannah (Wheeler) Fairchild, were also born in the 
"Nutmeg State," and the great-grandfather, Joseph Fairchild, was 
born in England, and came to America when he was a young man. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Porter, was a sister of Dr. Pre- 
serve Porter, a prominent physician of New Haven County, Conn., 
who has five sons, all of whom became physicians. She lived to be 
one hundred and two years old, and her son, Dr. Joseph Fairchild, 
reached the advanced age of ninety-sis, his wife attaining her ninety- 
first year. The maternal grandparents of the subject of this sketch, 
Chester and Hannah (Kiggs) Hodge, were born in Connecticut, and 
the name of the great grandfather was Philo Hodge. The children of 
Agur and Betsey (Hodge) Fairchild are: Harriet (who is the widow of 
John R. Adams, and resides in Lorain County, Ohio), Chester S. 
(who died on December 13, 1884; his wife, formerly Miss Caroline 
Mann, being also dead), and Dr. Chauncey R. The latter accompanied 
his parents to Lorain County, Ohio, when he was ten years of age, 
and in early life, took up the study of medicine, which has received 
his almost imdivided attention ever since. He is a graduate of the 
Pittsfield Medical College, of Massachusets, and in 1844 he began the 
active practice of his profession in Hancock County. After remaining 
there eight years he spent one year in New York City, and in 1853 lo- 
cated in Clinton, 111. , but in 1858 removed to Providence, La. He 
was 1 here practicing the " healing art ' ' at the opening of the Rebellion, 
but he immediately returned to Illinois, and in 1866 came West and 
located in St. Joseph, Mo., in which place he remained four years. In 



-t~^ 



•L^ 




1870 he removed to Seaeca, Kas. , in which place and vicinity he 
practiced for tifteen years. Since 1885 he has been a resident of Kan- 
sas City, Kas. , and has built up a lucrative practice among the best 
class of people of this section. He is the proprietor of a sanitarium in 
Kansas City, which he condiicts in connection with his practice. He 
is popular, both professionally and socially, and since taking up his 
abode in Wyandotte County, he has proved to be a public-spirited citi- 
zen. He was man'ied on August 10, 1839, to Miss Almira Paddack, 
who was born in Essex County, N. Y. , January 28, 1822, and to them 
have been born six children, of whom four sons are living. 

E. H. Farrell, contractor and builder, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. 
Farrell was born in Rochester, N. Y. , in 1854, spent his boyhood and 
youth in Menekauuee, Wis. , and received a good practical education 
in the country schools and at the fireside at home during long winter 
evenings. He learned his trade in Milwaukee, serving a three years' 
apprenticeship, and afterward worked for nine years for the man with 
whom he learned his trade. After this he came to Atchison, Kas., 
remained there four years working at his trade, and then went to 
Leavenworth, where he carried on his trade for six years, contracting 
and building houses. While a resident of Atchison he was in the 
grocery business for some time, and after his residence in Leavenworth 
he came to Kansas City, Kas. Here he has followed his trade of con- 
tractor and builder ever since. He built the Douglas School Building, 
Gazette Building, woodwork on county jail, remodeled Northup's 
place, woodwork on stores for Dahlgren and stores for Bryson Bros. , 
electric building, flats for Mat Harris, and many small residences in 
the town. He had as many as fifteen to twenty-five men working for 
him last year, and finished over $60,000 worth of work. He is a skilled 
workman, is seldom or never out of employment, and his promptness 
and reliability must mark him as a most desirable man with whom to 
establish business in this line. 

James Ferguson is a prominent and honored pioneer citizen of 
Kansas City, Kas., and is at present license inspector of that place. 
He was born in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Penn., January 29, 
1840, to Bijah and Susan (Palmer) Ferguson, both of whom were 
born near Chambersburg. Penn. , the former being the son of Hugh 
Ferguson, a native of Scotland. Bijah Ferguson and his wife be- 
came the parents of six children, their names being as follows: Ben- 
jamin, Belle, Sarah, John, James and William. The father in his 
early life followed the pursuit of a farmer, but subse(juently located 



.^ 



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i 



596 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



in Allegheny City, Penn., where for several years he served as chief 
of police. Upon the opening of the Mexican War, he enlisted in 
Company A, First Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served 
throughout the whole war, returning home as first lieutenant of his 
company. He subsequently held different official positions in Alle- 
gheny City, and later removed to Pittsburgh, where he spent the re- 
mainder of his life, his wife having died a few years prior to this 
removal. James Ferguson, the immediate subject of this memoir, 
was reared to manhood in Pittsburgh and Allegheny City, and he was 
fortunate enough to secure an excellent early education. At the 
age of eighteen years he began to learu the carpenter's trade, and 
after serving three years under James Graham, of Pittsburgh, he 
followed his trade in Pittsburgh, until the war broke out. Early 
in April, 1861, he responded to his country's call and became a volun- 
teer in Company D, Twelfth Pennsylvania liegiment, with which he 
served out the time of his enlistment, three months, being mustered 
out at Pittsburgh on August 8. He then followed the carpenter's 
trade in Pittsburgh until the fall of 1863, when he came West and 
located in Wyandotte, Kas., and for a number of months following 
worked at his trade in Kansas City, Mo. In May, 1864, he removed 
to Leavenworth, Kas., working at his trade there also. In August, 
1864, he in company with some other workmen, went to Harmicello, 
Colo., for the purpose of erecting a store-room and dwelling-house for 
Col. William Craig, and when that work was finished in the summer 
of 1865, he returned to Kansas and again took up his residence in 
Wyandotte. In November, 1866, he returned to his old home in 
Pittsburgh, Penn., where, on December 5, following, he was married to 
Miss Catherine Gardner, returning with her to Wyandotte, Kas., in 
the spring of 1868. He has resided here ever since, and has followed 
the pursuit of a carpenter and contractor, several years being spent 
as a car-builder in the shops of the Union Pacific Railway, holding 
for as much as six years the position of foreman. In the fall of 1883 
he was elected to the position of sheriff of Wyandotte County, on the 
Republican ticket, and during his term of service proved himself to 
be an efficient, punctual, industrious and honest official. He entered 
upon his duties in January, 1884, and served until January, 1888, 
having been re-elected in the fall of 1885. Upon the occasion of his 
second election he received the largest majority ever accorded a candi- 
date for county office, it being over 1,900, and would have undoubted- 
ly received a second re-election had it not been owing to the fact 






1 

j^" — ^ -^ — ^Ll, 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 597 



that the office is limited to two terms. In the spring of 1889 he 
was appointed license inspector by Mayor Coy, and he is now serv- 
ing in that capacity in a very efficient manner. His marriage has 
resulted in the birth of seven children: Mollie B., Charles S., Will- 
iam G., Albert, Belle, John and James. Of these Charles, Albert 
and John are deceased. Mr. Ferguson is a member of the K. of P., 
Fellowship Lodge No. 2, the I. O. O. F., Summanduwat Lodge No. 
3, and attained to the Encampment, and he also belongs to the Union 
Veterans. Throughout his entire life he has been a devoted member 
of the Republican party and personally, and in every private relation 
and duty of life, too much can not be said in his praise. He has 
always been liberal, honorable and high-minded, and although he has 
most emphatically a "will of his own," yet he is not aggressive nor 
disputatious. His career has been marked by kind deeds, and it can 
be truly said of him that he never violated a friendship nor forgot a 
kind action done him. He is extensively known throughout Wyan- 
dotte County, and no one of her citizens possesses a higher degree of 
public esteem. 

L. G. Ferguson, contractor and builder, Kansas City, Kas. Were 
it necessary for us to include in the sketch of Mr. Ferguson's life 
some items pertaining to his ability and skill as a builder, perhaps the 
greatest compliment that could be paid him woiild be for us to point 
out those monuments of his handiwork scattered far and near. He 
came to Kansas City, Kas., from Ottawa, 111., in 1880, and here he has 
since remained, engaged in his chosen occupation. He makes a spe- 
cialty of school-houses and brickwork as follows : Two on Wood 
Street; Riverview; two in Armourdale, Boston Place, High School; 
two in Long Addition; two school buildings in Argentine; the brick 
block of Seventh at 123 James Street, and a large number of 
frame dwellings, one and two stories high. Mr. Ferguson was 
born in Wells County, Ind., on October 21, 18-14, and is a son of 
John and Sarah (Meyers) Ferguson, natives of Ohio, the father born 
in 1818 and the mother in 1819. The father was of English-Irish 
descent, and was a carpenter and^builder by trade. He moved to Illi- 
nois in 1850, and there resided until 1880, when he came to Kansas 
City, his death occurring here in December, 1887. The mother was 
of German extraction and died in 1889. L. G. Ferguson learned his 
trade in Illinois with his father, received a good common-school edu- 
cation, and was married on April 12, 1883, to Miss Maggie Dawall, a 
native of Michigan. To this union were born three children: Walter 



qv 

'• 



I. , Edith L. and Alice M. In his political views Mr. Fergusan affil- 
iates with the Republican party. Socially he is a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, Wyandotte Ladge No. 247, the A. O. U. W., Eiv- 
erview Lodge, and is a member of the A. O. F., Kansas City, Mo., 
Lodge No. 6351. Mr. Ferguson is a capable and persevering busi- 
ness man, and deserving of the success he is achieving. 

Prof. John AV. Ferguson, who, for the past eight years has been 
identified with the public schools of Kansas City, Kas., and who has 
acquired a widespread reputation as a disciplinarian, educator and 
school manager, was born in Oxford. Benton County, Ind., August 11, 
1850, being a son of John and Sarah (Meyers) Ferguson, both of 
whom were born in the State of Ohio, the former in 1819 and the 
latter in 1818. Paternally Prof. Ferguson is of Irish-English descent, 
but from his mother inherits German blood. His parents were mar- 
ried in 1839, and of a family of seven children born to them, four are 
still living and reside in Kansas City, Kas. The father of these chil- 
dren, who was a contractor and carpenter by occupation, died on No- 
vember 20, 1885, his widow passing to her long home March 5, 1887. 
AVhen the subject of this sketch was but two years of age his parents 
removed from Oxford to BlufFton, Ind. , and at the age of six years he 
was taken by them to Morris, Grundy County, 111. Two years later 
La Salle County, 111., became their home, and there John W. spent 
his youth. In his early life when not in school, his time was divided 
between assisting his father at the carpenter's trade and laboring upon 
a farm. At the age of fourteen, he with his parents located in Mar- 
seilles, 111., and he attended the schools of that place until he was 
seventeen years of age, after which he began following the occupation 
of teaching, and with the exception of two years, his entire attention 
has been devoted to educational work. During the first eleven years 
of his professional career his entire services were performed in La Salle 
County, and the fact that his operations were confined to four differ- 
ent districts is evidence of his success as a teacher. He taught his 
first school for 126.25 per month, but as the work he did was ap- 
preciated his salary was raised accordingly from time to time, until he 
at last received $65 a month. In 1880 he removed to Kansas City, 
Kas., and for two years thereafter gave his attention to the carpenter's 
trade. In the spring of 1881 he was elected a member of the school 
board in Old Kansas City, Kas., but this position he resigned in the 
spring of 1882, and two weeks later he was elected superintendent of 
the schools of that city, and held the position until 1886. In that 



r 



fc. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 599 



year he was elected superintendent of the schools of the consolidated 
cities of Wyandotte, Kansas City and Arinourdale, and has since dis- 
charged the duties of this position to the satisfaction of all concerned. 
He has made an able and efficient superintendent, and under his man- 
agement the schools have experienced a career of prosperity and 
growth almost phenomenal. During his first year, four years ago, he 
had forty-three teachers and 2,005 pupils, and during the school year 
just closed he had under his charge 104 teachers and 6,000 pupils, 
which is a showing, perhaps without a parallel in the country. It 
adds much more to the credit of Prof. Ferguson, too, when it is re- 
membered that all the strifes and jealousies, which naturally existed 
between the schools of the three cities at the time of their consolida- 
tion had to be overcome, and the fact that he succeeded in harmoniz- 
ing the work and uniting the schools under one system is evidence of 
his superior tact and skill as a school manager. He has devoted 
twenty-three years to his present calling, and now ranks among the 
leading educators of the State. His marriage, which occurred on 
September 19, 1876, was to Miss Ella M. Harley, a former pupil. 
She died on February 20, 1890, leaving, besides her sorrowing hus- 
band, a family of four children to mourn their loss, their names being 
Harley L. (born June 19, 1877), Sarah J. (born February 22, 1879), 
William A. (bom July 15, 1882), and Gertrude (born March 18, 1887). 
Prof. Ferguson is a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and 
socially belongs to the A. O. IT. W., and since the age of twenty-one 
has been a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was a charter mem- 
ber of Kaw Lodge No. 272, and served as its first master for two years. 
He is at present high priest of Wyandotte Chapter No. 6, and belongs 
to Ivanhoe Commandery No. 20. He has always led a strictly tem- 
perate life. 

W. S. Ferguson is in the real estate, loan and insurance business 
in Kausas City, Kas., and is one of the prosperous and successful 
business men of the city. He was born in Gallatin County, Ky. , in 
1861, and in 1865 was brought by his parents to Kansas, and was 
reared in the southern part of Leavenworth County, near Glenwood. 
He received no advantages for acquiring an education, but after he 
attained his twenty-first year he determined to improve his knowledge 
of the "world of books" and during his leisure moments devoted his 
time to studying such books as came ih his way. At the age of twen- 
ty-two years he first left the farm and began working by the month, 
at $27 per month, and in time succeeded in saving |50. As his sal- 



:^ 






600 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



ary had been increased to 150, he conduded to erect him a house in 
Leavenworth, and his mornings and evenings were devoted to com- 
pleting his home. He never had more than $1.75 in money until he 
began working for himself, and it is owing to this that he knew the 
value of every cent, and saved his money, instead of spending it fool- 
ishly. After a time he was enabled to purchase a half interest in the 
furniture establishment in which he had worked as a clerk, but made 
the purchase on credit and was so unfortunate as to be burned out 
June, 1885, the loss being 17,400. They then went to Wichita and 
entered the coal and feed business, but this business proved to be a 
failure, and seeing the depression of the times, he traded his interest 
in the coal and feed business for vacant property in the town and then 
traded that for property in Kansas City, Kas. Here he moved in 1886 
and opened a real estate and loan office. He took hold of the London 
Heights, loaned money for the New England Loan & Trust Company, 
and after the first four months began doing a paying business. From 
March 1, 1889, to March 1, 1890, he loaned 1244,000. He has been 
very successful in real estate, and in June, ISSl, bought $31,000 worth 
of property and had disposed of it all before January 1, 1890. 
He bought seventy-four lots in January of the last-named year, 
and now has only twenty-eight left, and although he lost $4,800 by 
going security for an acquaintance, he still continues to pursue the 
even tenor of his way. He was married at the age of twenty-three 
years to Miss Bertha E. Gates, by whom he has three children: AVin- 
field. Myrtle May and Florence Fay. Mrs. Ferguson was educated 
in Leavenworth, Kas. , and is a woman of more than average attain- 
ments, and her husband says that much of the success that has attended 
his efforts has been due to her counsel and advice. Both are members 
of the First Presbyterian Church of Leavenworth, and he is a member 
of the K. of P. In addition to his real estate business he is the owner 
of one of the finest grocery establishments in the town, but leaves it 
principally to the management of others. 

J. A. Fligor, carpenter, Edwardsville, Kas. With the rapid and 
steady advance of Edwardsville, with the continual increase in her 
building operations, the profession of an architect is one of primary 
importance, and is one on which the first step of progress is depend- 
ent. Among those who are prominent in this calling is Mr. J. A. Fli- 
gor, who owes his nativity to Pennsylvania, his birth occurring on 
September 26, 1829. He is a son of William and Sarah (Keslar) Fli- 
gor, and the grandson of John Fligor, who was born in Germany, and 



— IS 




-^ 



who came to America wLen a boy. The latter' s wife, Elizabeth Fitz- 
hugh, was born in London, England, and came to America in early 
girlhood. They were married in Philadelphia, Peun. There, in West- 
moreland County, of that State, the Fligor family lived, and there 
their children were born and reared, inheriting a strong love for their 
native soil. William and Sarah (Keslar) Fligor were both natives of 
Westmoreland County, and were married there in 1822, he at the age 
of twenty-two, and she when twenty years of age. Her parents were 
reared in Philadelphia. Mr. and Mrs. Fligor became the parents of 
ten children — sis sons and four daughters — three sons and three daugh- 
ters now living— the three daughters now living in Westmoreland 
County, and are named as follows: Nancy, Esther and Sarah. Of the 
sons, Peter is in the grocery business in Arkansas, and Isaiah is a 
farmer in Ohio. The parents of these children are deceased, the 
father dying in December, 1863, and the mother in March, 1888. J. A. 
Fligor was reared on a farm, and left home equipped with a common- 
school education. He began working at the carpenter's trade, fearless 
of the future, confident in his own power to make his own way in life, 
and drifted into the northern part of Ohio, or wherever his fancy led 
him. He was in Cleveland, Sandusky, Springfield and many other 
places, Fremont being the last place. In 1857, in company with Maj. 
Downs and Canfield, he left Ohio for Wyandotte, Kas., and after 
arriving here built one of the first store-houses in the city, just north 
of what is now Dunning' s Hall. He remained here until 1859, and 
then went to Leavenworth, then down to Johnson Countj% but later settled 
in Edwardsville, and is one of the oldest residents. His first advent 
here was to run the post office, and since that time he has made his 
headquarters at this place. He has worked at his trade all over the 
adjoining country, and many evidences of his ability and skill may be 
seen in every direction. He was married Sepitember 2, 1872, to Miss 
M. E. Fray, who was born February 10, 1855, a daughter of Benjamin 
and Eliza Fray. Mr. and Mrs. Fray, who were natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, removed to Doniphan County, Kas., in 1854, Benjamin Fray 
dying in April, 1855. His wife, Eliza Fray, died in the spring of 
1861. The union of Mr. Fligor and Miss Fray, resulted in the birth 
of three children — two daughters and a son: Sarah E. (born March 22, 
1873), Margaret E. (born March 29, 1876), and John F. (born April 18, 
1890, and died July 31, 1890). Mr. Fligor i.s an Odd Fellow, being a 
charter member of Lodge No. 3, the first organized in the county, and in 
which lodge he was the first noble grand. He also helped organize the 



> \ '" 



602 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



State Lodge. He is a Republican in polities, being one of the old Free- 
soil men, and was here through the early trouble on the border. He 
was a delegate to the convention that nominated S. C. Cobb for Con- 
gress. Mr. Fligor has accumulated a fair competency, and is pretty 
well satisfied with the world as revealed in Kansas. 

James E. Fisher one of the old settlers of Wyandotte County, a man 
esteemed and respected for his many good qualities of mind and heart, 
has been a resident of Rosedale since 1872. He was born in Geauga 
County, Ohio, February 19, 1835. When only seven years of age, his 
parents gave uj) farming, and moved to the thriving little manufactur- 
ing village of Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga County, distant about sixteen 
miles from Cleveland, Ohio, the county seat, where he entered into the 
manufacturing of doors, sash and blinds, which gave J. E. ample op- 
portunity to learn habits of industry, and the use of tools and machin- 
ery, which he has never had reason to regret. He attended the schools 
of the village, and there grew to manhood. In 1856 he went to Cali- 
fornia via Nicaragua, and remained in that State nine years, engaged 
in mining most of the time, but his trip was not a success financially, 
and he then returned to Ohio. In 1865 he came to Kansas City, Mo., 
where he operated with his brother Abel, a saw-mill at the foot of 
Fifth Street in the bottoms, where the Linseed Oil Works now stand. 
They cut timber from the bottoms — mostly cottonwood and sycamore, 
though the main dependence was to raft the logs from the Missouri 
River lands, as far up as Leavenworth, and on the Platte River as far 
up as Platte City (in Platte County, Mo.). Having sold his mill in- 
terests in 1872, he bought fifty-four acres of land overlooking and 
joining Rosedale, and turned his attention to fruitgrowing. He im- 
proved by building and otherwise, until he had a fine property. This 
he sold in 1886, and moved to Rosedale, where he has interests, and 
Las made it his home since. He, with others who were interested in 
public schools, organized District No. 39, in 1873. He held the office 
of director until he moved out of the district, with credit to himself 
and satisfaction to the people of the district. On coming here he was 
unanimoiisly elected director of schools. He was elected a member of 
the city council in April, 1890. Mr. Fisher is the son of Abel and 
Ruth (Green) Fisher, his father a native of Massachusetts, and his 
mother of New York State. They immigrated to the Connecticut 
Western Reserve of Ohio in 1818. The father was a farmer by occu- 
pation, and also followed the carpenter and joiner's trade in his younger 
years. His death occurred in Ohio, in October, 1869, at the age of sixty- 



r 









WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 603 



nine years. The mother still living, and makes her home with our sub- 
ject, and although nearly eighty years of age, enjoys good health. Their 
family consisted of seven children, and James E. was the third in or- 
der of birth. Abel, the eldest of the family, was an old settler of Kan- 
sas City, Mo., and Wyandotte County. He was a Union soldier, and 
was captured, but only retained a short time. James E. was married 
January 12, 1870, to Miss Annie Taylor, only daughter of John and 
Sarah A. Taylor, old settlers of Kansas City, Mo., and natives of Eng- 
land. To Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were born five children, all living: 
Kate, Jessie, Allan, Charles and John. Mr. Fisher is a Republican in 
his political views, but prefers for office an honest man, to a corrupt 
scheming politician, of whatever party or profession. 

Frank A. Forsberg. The popular grocery store belonging to this 
gentleman was established in the month of April, 1884, and is one of 
the many tine houses of this city which appeals strongly to public fa- 
vor. Mr. Forsberg was born in Nye Jonkoping Lan, Sweden, August 
20, 1858, the name of his parents being Anders Johnson and Mary 
Stina Johnson, their marriage taking place about 1840, which resulted 
in time in the birth of seven children: Jonas August, Anders John, 
Lena Christina, Mary Louisa, Peter Alfred, Frank Anderson and 
Charles Edward. All the sons came to America and now reside in the 
United States. Jonas August and Anders John crossed the ocean in 
1869, and the former now resides in Scandia, Kas., and the latter in 
Kansas City, Mo. Peter Alfred came to America in 1871, and also 
resides in Scandia, Kas. The two youngest sons, Frank Anderson 
and Charles Edward, came to America in May, 1880, and both now 
reside in this city. The two daughters still reside in Sweden, the 
parents both living there also. The father is a farmer by occupation, 
and is considered one of the leading citizens in the community in 
which he resides. The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood 
in his native land and between the ages of eight and sixteen he at- 
tended school, obtaining a good practical education. In early life, 
when not in school, he worked upon his father's farm, and at the age of 
twenty one years, he served one year in the Government military serv- 
ice. When he came to the United States, he lacked a few months of 
being twenty-two years old. He and his brother Charles left Gothen- 
burg on April 16, 1880, and sailed to Hull, England, thence by rail to 
Liverpool, where, on April 21, they embarked on the steamer '' Repub- 
lic," which reached New York on May 1. They came at once to Kan- 
sas City, Kas. , which place they reached on May 8, and here have re- 



i) '>y 



604 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



sided ever since. During the first three and a half years of his res- 
idence he was in the employ of the Armour Packing Company, and for 
the five succeeding months he acted as bartender for his brother John. 
Since the month of April, 1884, he has been in business for himself 
and his grocery establishment was first located at No. 171 North James 
Street. He has devoted his whole attention to his business since that 
time, and now has one of the finest and most complete establishments of 
the kinel in the city. Since April 1, 1889, he has been established at 
No. 66 North James Street. He has always been very courteous to his 
customers, and as he has always been a gentleman of keen business abil- 
ity, and keeping but the best of goods, his trade has rapidly increased. 
His business for the year of 188U, amounted to over $19,000. In No- 
vember, 1889, he purchased a grocery store at No. 429, Osage Avenue, 
Armourdale, and has since conducted it also. He was married on Au- 
gust 16, 1886, to Miss Matilda Louisa Johnson, who was also born in 
Sweden, on May 22, 1864. Her father's name was John Peterson, 
and he with her mother, still resides in Sweden. She came to Amer- 
ica in 1883, and has borne her husband one child, Matilda Christena, 
born on November 15, 1888. Mr. Forsberg is a member of the Scan- 
dinavian Society, and in politics is a Republican. He is one of the 
honorable business men of the city, and is in every respect worthy the 
success he has attained. 

James Fitzgerald is a well-known market-gardener of this county, 
and makes a specialty of raising potatoes, from thirty to thirty-five acres 
being annually devoted to this crop. He does general farming also, 
and owns about forty acres of land, upon which are a good residence 
and barn. He was born in the "Emerald Isle," in the month of 
April, 1828, and, after remaining there iintil he attained to man's 
estate, he determined to seek a home in the New World, and accord- 
ingly came to the United States, March 1, 1849, and spent two years 
in the State of Massachusetts. He then removed to Illinois, where he 
was engaged in farming, until 1859; then went to Kansas, where he 
has been ever since. He has always been public spirited and enter- 
prising, and has done his full share in the improvement of this section 
of the country, and has always been ranked among its honest and 
trustworthy citizens. The country was almost a wilderness when he 
first came here, and the land on which the present town of Kansas 
City is located belonged to an Indian. Mr. Fitzgerald lived in Kansas 
City, Kas., for seven years, and in 1866 made the purchase of his 
present property, it being then heavily covered with timber and with 



'y 
t 



% 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 605 



no road leading to it. In 1867 Mr. Fitzgerald was married to Miss 
Ellen O'Connell, of Ireland, their union taking place in Tazewell 
County, 111., and to tliem a family of ten children were born: Mary 
(wife of John Gittons), Honora, Thomas, James, John, Patrick, Mor- 
ris, Michael, Edward and Joseph. Mr. Fitzgerald is independent in 
politics, and in local politics votes for the man irrespective of party. 
He has been a member of the school board for seven years; has held 
the office of supervisor, and he and his family are members of the 
Roman Catholic Church. 

Dr. T. Fitzhugh, physician, Armourdale, Kas. The professional 
minds of physicians may be divided into two separate classes, aptly 
designated the perceptive and the memorative. To one class belongs 
those whose medicinal knowledge and perception depends upon mem- 
ory; to the other, those who depend chiefly upon their own conscious 
resources and mingle them with their own judgment. To those ac- 
quainted with Dr. Fitzhugh it is unnecessary for us to state to 
which class he belongs. He was born in Middlesex County, Va., in 
March, 1836, and is the son of Phillip and Mary (Aylett) Fitzhugh, 
natives of King William County, Va. The Fitzhugh family is de- 
scended from Lord Fitzhugh, of North Ireland. Three younger 
brothers emigrated to America, in 1642, and two settled below Alexan- 
der, Va., and one near Hagerstown, Md. The family took very little 
part in the Revolutionary troubles. The paternal grandfather raised 
a company in Caroline County, Va., and made his son, Phillip, cap- 
tain of the company, in 1812. The latter served through the war. 
The Grandfather died in Virginia where he had followed farming. The 
father of our subject was also a farmer, and also died in Virginia, as 
did the mother. They were the parents of ten children, eight of 
whom grew to maturity: Patrick H. , John H. , Phillip A., La Fayette 
H. , Edgar R., Mary E. and Lucy. Four are now living. Dr. T. 
Fitzhugh, the youngest child now living, attained his growth in Vir- 
ginia, received his education in Richmond, and at an early age began 
the study of medicine, graduating from that well-known and far- 
famed institution, the Virginia Medical College, at Richmond, in 
1859. He then began practicing in Matthews County, Va. , and there 
remained until the breaking out of the war in 1861. He immediately 
enlisted in Matthew's cavalry as a jsrivate, was soon after elected 
lieutenant, and served on Gen. D. H. Hill's staff, afterward Riply 
staff. Subsequenty he was promoted to the rank of captain of Com- 
pany F, Fifth Regiment, and was mustered out of service with the 



^ *|^ 



!2L 



606 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



title of major. He was -wounded at Culpeper by a gun-sbot in the 
right leg, and his brother, Patrick H. , was killed in front of Petersburg. 
At the close of service the Dcctor returned to Accoruack County, Va. , re- 
maining there engaged in the practice of his profession until 18S3, when 
be came west and located in Indianapolis, Ind. From there he went 
to Texas, and in 1887 be located in Kansas City, Mo. In 1888 be 
removed to Armourdale, Kas. , and there be has since remained 
engaged in an active practice. He is a first-class physician and sur- 
geon, and has an extensive practice. He was a member of the Texas 
Medical Society, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. To his 
marriage have been born three children: Edgar H., John G. and Lula 
K. The Aylett family, of which the mother of our subject was a de- 
scendant and granddaughter of Patrick Henry of Revolutionary fame, 
is among the old an representative families of Virginia, and none were 
more highly esteemed. Indeed the family may claim, by inter-mar- 
riage, connection with all those of prominence in Virginia. The 
Aylett family claim to be descendants of a companion of William the 
Conqueror, sons of whom obtained lands in Cornwall. The etymology 
of the name of Aylett is a sea-cow or Cornish chough, from their hav- 
ing three Ayletts on their shield, and thus they obtained their name. 
Robert Aylett, master in chancery, was educated at Trinity Hall, 
Cambridge, -where in 1614 he commanded LL. D. He published some 
works in London from 1822 until 1854. Capt. Aylett, according to 
the accounts kept in the family, was lord of Magdalene Lanor, and 
suffered severely for King Charles. He spent £700 per annum in that 
service. He acted as one of the commanders at Colchester, at the 
siege, and was sentenced to be shot, but escajaed in female disguise. 
However, he was recaptured but purchased his own life from the 
Parliament for £460, and was pardoned. Charles II. commissioned him 
to surprise Chepston Castle, and to be governor of the same. Here he 
was betrayed and made prisoner until the restoration made him free. 
In 1656 Capt. John Aylett, from Essex County, England, came to Vir- 
ginia, and was appointed to survey his county in Virginia, in 1660. 
The King afterward awarded him a large tract of land in the North- 
ern Neck, and it was also ascertained that bis descendants inter-mar- 
ried with the Lees, Washingtons and Custer families. In 1684 Charles 
II. granted him a patent of 20,000 acres of land in what is now King 
William County, Va. , and his son William went to reside on it in 
1686, that it was inherited by bis son. William, represented King 
William County, in the House of Burgesses, in 1723 and 1726, and his 



\ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 607 



wife was called Lady Aylett and kept a sumptuous establishment. 
Col. William Aylett, assistant commissary-general of Virginia, in the 
Revolutionary War, furnished supplies to the army, such as blankets, 
clothing, etc., from his own private means to the amount of about 
S80,000, giving bis individual bonds io payment, the settlement of 
which after his death exhausted his estate. The general Government 
assumed the indebtedness, which has never been reimbursed. 

Mrs. Augusta (Steinbeck) Frank, the widow of George S. Frank, 
and a lady of culture and refinement, is now a resident of State Ave- 
nue, Wyandotte County, Kas. She was born in Hanover, Ger- 
maoy, on August 6, 1836, and was the younger of two children, the 
sister, Minnie, now deceased. Her father was a very wealthy gentle- 
man and was retired. He is now deceased. The mother, who was 
also a native of Hanover, Germany, is also deceased, and Mrs. Frank 
is the only survivor of her family. She obtained her education in the 
common schools of her native land, and has ever been interested in all 
educational matters. She was united in marriage to Mr. George S. 
Frank in October, 1850, and to them were born two children, a son 
and daughter: George A. (who married Miss Catherine Schack, and is 
a mechanic by tradej, and Sophia R. (who resides in Wyandotte, and 
is the wife of J. N. Frye, a barber by trade). Mrs. Frank has ever 
contributed liberally of her means to all worthy movements, and is a 
friend to the needy and helpless. She lost her dear companion on 
August 13, 1885, after they hadlived together thirty-five hapjjy years, 
and he lies buried in Oak Green Cemetery, where a beautiful and tasty 
monument, erected by his wife, marks his last resting place. His 
presence will ever be sadly missed by his lonely wife and children, for 
he was a good man in every sense of the word. Mrs. Frank has been 
a resident of Wyandotte since 1807, and has witnessed the marvelous 
growth that has taken place in the city since that time. She is the 
owner of a frame residence, a brick place of business on Minnesota 
Avenue, and also quite a number of vacant lots. As far as she knows 
at the present she expects to make this place her future home and 
here, surrounded by her numerous friends and acquaintances, will 
pass the remainder of her days. Mr. Frank was born in Bavaria, 
Germany, and came to America when a mere boy, followed the trade 
of a barber and accumulated considerable wealth. He was a Demo- 
crat in politics, and his aim was to support men of principle and 
honor. He was held in high respect by all acquainted with him. 
He was a lover of secret organizations, a member of the I. O. O. F., 







^1 




also other lodges, aad was very prominent in such organizations. 
He was well educated in the German language, and was an energetic 
and thorough man of business, his relations being of an honorable and 
upright character. 

Burtis L. French is one of the honorable and upright young busi- 
ness men of Kansas City, Kas. , and is at jaresent foreman of the hide 
cellar for Swift & Co. He was born at Stockbridge, AVindsor County, 
Vt., November 21, 1864, a son of Warren L. and Mary E. (Abbott) 
French, both natives of that town and State, the former's birth oc- 
curring in 1835, and the latter's in 1836, their marriage taking place 
in 1857, and resulting in the birth of two sons, of whom Burtis L. 
is the younger. The elder, George F., is foreman of the hide cellar 
foi; Swift & Co , at Omaha, Neb., and is now thirty years of age, his 
birth having occurred on April 1, 1860. Both parents are living, their 
home still being in Stockbridge, Vt., the father being a successful and 
honorable tiller of the soil. Burtis L. French was reared and edu- 
cated in the town of his birth, being an attendant of the schools of 
that place from the time he was seven until he was seventeen years 
old, and being quick to grasp new ideas, and possessing a retentive 
memory, he made rapid progress in his studies, and upon leaving 
school possessed a good practical education. In 1883 he came west 
to Chicago, and at once entered the employ of Swift & Co., and has 
continued with this firm up to the present time, being one of their 
trusted employes. He acted as hide inspector six months, hide 
weigher three years, and in the fall of 1886 was transferred to Oma- 
ha, and was made foreman of the hide cellar at that j)lace for Swift & 
Co., a position he retained until February, 1887, when he was sent to 
Kansas City, and here has since remained. He is a young man of ex- 
ceptionally good habits, and is an earnest and consistent member of 
the Universalist Church. He has always taken a deep interest in 
the political afPairs of the country, and is a stanch member of the 
Republican party. His duties are being discharged to the entire 
satisfaction of his employers, and their confidence in his ability has 
not been misplaced. 

Benjamin Friedberg, of the Electric Light Plant of Kansas City, 
Kas., is a native of Russia, and of Hebrew blood. He came to Amer- 
ica at the age of seventeen years, being then unable to speak the 
English language, and for about six months resided in the city of 
New York. He then sold goods in that State for about a year and a 
half, and although he had but 35 cents on reaching this county, he 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



609 



did fairly well, and had bv that time saved enough to enable him to 
come to Kansas City, Kas", in 1870. He joined a brother here, and 
the same vear they leased a lot, put up a store building, and until 
1874 conducted a dry goods store. They then went to Missouri, 
thence to Chicago, and during the great tire in that city in 1871, they 
lost all they had accumulated. Later they went to Independence, 
Kas., thence to Fort Worth, Tex., and while merchandising in this 
placJ they made considerable money. Their next location was in 
Silver Cliff, Colo., but the place proved to be a failure, and they once 
more lost all their possessions. They then came to Wyandotte Kas., 
with the intention of making this jjlace their permanent abode, and 
up to 1884 they were successful dry goods merchants. Their chief 
business, however, was real estate, and in this Benjamin has been ex- 
ceptionallv successful, and is still engaged in speculating. He biiilt 
the Electric Light Plant, and in September, 1889, opened operations, 
the plant being the strongest for its age in the United States. The 
total expense of the same was about 1132,000, and he has 150 miles 
of wire. He runs both the incandescent and arc lights, and operates 
in nearly all parts of the city. He is one of the foremost men in all 
public enterprises in the city, and having the interests of the same at 
heart he is very liberal with his means and time. He was married in 
New York to Miss Annie Rosenthall, a Prussian belonging to the 
Hebrew race. They have five children: Harry, May, Estella, Frank 
and Edith. 

Charles E. Gabelman. general superintendent of the Keystone 
Iron Works, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Gabelman is another of the many 
prominent citizens of Kansas City, Kas., who is of foreign birth, hav- 
ing been born in Germany, near the old and renowned city of Leipsic, 
Saxony, on May 14, 1847, and he was third in a family of live children- 
four sons and one daughter— who are named as follows: Max (died at 
the age of twelve years), Alexander P. (married and resides in Schuy- 
ler County, Mo., where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising), 
Helen (resides in Eustace, Fla., is engaged in merchandising, and is 
the owner of an orange grove), and Benjamin F. (who died at the age 
of two years). The father was a native of Germany, and is now de- 
ceased. He was an officer in the German army and was a merchant 
during the latter part of his life. His father served in the Eebellion. 
Charles E. Gabelman had very meager advantages for an early educa- 
tion, but he improved his spare moments and prepared himself to enter 
college, of which Prof. George W. Graves was president, and there 



~a "V^ 



. ^t-— _ ^^k. 



610 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



remained almost three years. He is a great friend of education and 
good schools. He commenced life for himself at the early age of 
fourteen years as a farmer boy, and when sixteen years of age entered 
the service of the United States, enlisting at first in Farmington, Iowa, 
in the Home Guards, but in 1863 he entered the regular service as a 
volunteer in Company A, Forty-fifth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, under 
Capt. Edwards and Col. Benyman, and was assigned to the Army of 
the Mississippi Valley. His regiment and company were engaged in 
the following battles : Greensboro (Tenn. ), Memphis, Pleasant Hill and 
Moscow. In this action Mr. Gabelman received a bayonet wound in 
the right leg. He was in the expedition against Forest by Gen. A. J. 
Smith, and was honorably discharged in 1805. A remarkable thing 
about this family was that Mr. Gabelman and his father were side by 
side in the struggle, his brother Alexander, was in the service, and 
his sister Helen was acting as nurse in the hospital. It was unusual 
to see so many of one family in the army, and expresses miich as to 
their patriotism. After returning home from the army Mr. Gabel- 
man engaged in agricultural pursuits, and afterward entered the 
machine shops at Quincy, 111., and there served his apprenticeship as 
a mechanic. In November, 1870, Mr. Gabelman was married to Miss 
Jennie Murdock, a native of Indiana, horn in 1847, and she received 
a good education in the common schools and colleges of Illinois. 
They are the parents of three children, all daughters: Flora (resides 
with her parents and is a graduate of the high schools of Kansas City, 
Kas.), Nellie (is fourteen years of age and is attending high school, 
where she will graduate in 1891; she is a very line musician also), 
and Edna (who is twelve years of age, and is still in the school-room). 
Mr. Gabelman is a Republican in politics, and has always exercised his 
franchise for men of honor and principle. He cast his first presi- 
dential vote for Abraham Lincoln, the martyr President. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. He and Mrs. Gabelman, to- 
gether with their daughters, are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and ardent supporters of the same. Mrs. Gabelman is presi- 
dent of the W. C. T. U. in Kansas City, Kas. They have always 
given liberally to all worthy enterprises, and are esteemed and respected 
by all. They expect to make this city their future home, and here 
surrounded by their many friends, by whom they are respected for 
their sterling worth and integrity, they will pass their declining years. 
Mr. Gabelman is a stockholder in the Keystone Iron Works, known 
throughout the Southwest as the largest institution in the commercial 



^1 



^!V 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 611 




arena, and a prominent business man. He and wife started on the 
voyage of life without a dollar, and what they have is the accumula- 
tion of years, and the result of much hard labor and industry. This 
is an excellent example for those commencinor life with nothing but 
willing hands. 

J. H. Gadd, president of the School Board of Kansas City, Kas. 
In every country and among all civilized nations, education is conceded 
to be the lever that lifts men and women from obscurity to fame and 
fortune, and as the world grows older progress makes rapid strides 
alike in literary and mercantile circles. Mr. Gadd was born in Union- 
town, Penn., August, 1833, being the son of John and Jane (Victor) 
Gadd. The parents were both natives of that State, and the father 
was engaged at the time of his death, in 1857, on the State works in 
Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch continued to reside in his 
native State until the year 1858, receiving in the meantime only a mod- 
erate education, and engaging in clerical work. He moved to Alton, 
111., accepting a situation in a store at that point, and at a later date 
taught school in the surrounding county for two terms. In 1871 he 
moved from Illinois to Kansas City, and was soon employed in the 
Union Pacific shops at Armstrong, as clerk, and has continued to fill 
that position up to the present writing. He is time-keeper in that es- 
tablishment. Mr. Gadd was elected president of the School Board 
in 1887, and again in 1889, and has at all times and in all ways tilled 
this responsible position with great satisfaction to the community at 
large. He was married in the spring of 1858 to Miss Anna E. Gay- 
ton, also a native of Pennsylvania, and to this union was born one son, 
John N. Gadd, who at one time made his home in this city. In 1886 
Mr. Gadd was called upon to mourn the death of his faithful and lov- 
ing wife, and has never married again. He is a member of the Dem- 
ocratic party, and takes an unmistakable interest in public matters. 
He belongs to the Congregational Church, and he is a member of 
Summanduwat Lodge No. 3, I O. O. F. 

Nelson Garcelon is the present commissioner of Wyandotte County, 
Kas. , and has held other positions of honor and trust in the county, 
he is unassuming in his demeanor, and is one of the few men 
whom to meet once is to wish for a more extended acquaintance. He 
was born in the Pine Tree State, November 1, 1831, his parents, 
Moses and Clarissa Garcelon, leaving him an orphan in childhood, 
after which he made his home with his uncle, William Garcelon, of 
Lewiston, Me., with whom he remained until his twelftli year, at 



:f^ 



r 

612 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



which time the son of that uncle, and his cousin, Alonzo Garcelon, 
with whom he had been reared as a brother, was elected governor of 
Maine, on the Greenback ticket. Nelson obtained a good common- 
school education, and that, with one term spent in an academy, con- 
stituted his schooling. At the age of nineteen, he went to Minnesota, 
and for some time resided about 160 miles below St. Paul, and while 
there cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont. After 
remaining in that State, engaged in the lumber business, until 1858, 
he, in company with about sixty people, went across the plains, and 
was in Denver, Colo., when that place consisted of about three houses. 
He prospected in Colorado until the California gulch was opened, 
when he went on to that State, and was engaged in mining that sum- 
mer. He then went south to New Mexico, thence to Colorado, and 
later came east as far as Topeka, Kas. , where he began building houses, 
taking a contract later to build houses for the Indians, in Osage 
County, Kas. For his services the Government was to pay him in 
gold and silver, but a bill was lobbied through Congress making them 
take scrip, which was worth about 25 cents on the dollar. Through a man 
who was furnishing the Government with cattle, Mr. Garcelon became 
interested in that enterprise, and followed this calling for six years, 
after which he purchased some land of the Government, in the Dela- 
ware Reserve, now Leavenworth County, and there made his home, 
until about 1885, when he came to Wyandotte County and was engaged 
in contract business solely, until November 5, 1889, when he was 
elected to his present position, and now, in addition to discharging 
the duties of his office, he still continues to do contracting, although 
not on as extensive a scale as formerly. He is the owner of sixteen 
lots in the town, and is quite well fixed financially. AVhile a resident 
of Osage County, Kas., he went back to Maine, and was married there 
to Miss Amanda A. Purington, a native of that State, by whom he 
has one child, Nelson Edwin, who is a conductor on some Pullman 
sleeping cars. Mr. Garcelon has always been a Republican in his 
political views. 

Allen Garner has devoted his attention to agriculture and horti- 
culture in Wyandotte County, Kas., since the spring of 1872, and al- 
though the farm on which he located was almost a wilderness, it has 
been brought to a fine state of cultivation, and yields large crops. He 
was born in Missouri, in October, 1829, his Ijrothers and sisters being 
as follows: Mary (who resides in Kansas), Hannah (who resides at 
Osawatomie, Kas. ), Louisa (who resides in Franklin, Cou.nty , Kas. ), and 






Harry (>vbo makes his home with his brother Allen). The parents of 
these children were both born in Missouri, and are now deceased. The 
early education of Allen Garner was obtained mostly at night school, 
but it was a meager one indeed. Notwithstanding this fact, he is the 
friend of all educational institutions, and firmly believes in the educa- 
tion of the masses. His marriage, which occurred in January, 18b., 
was to Miss Anna Patterson, a native of Missouri, and to them the 
following family of children were born: William (who died in infancy), 
Allen (aged twenty-six, farming with his father), Frances (who is 
twenty-four, resides with her parents, and is a young lady of excellent 
attainments; her early education was received in the common schools, 
after which she took a course in the graded schools of Kansas City 
Kas and at Lawrence, Kas., and is now one of the successful 
school teachers of the county), Mary (aged twenty-two, and is now at- 
tending the high school of Kansas City), Alma (aged twenty-one) 
James (a^ed nineteen), Lenora (aged sixteen), Lillie (aged fourteen), 
Miranda (aged twelve), Victoria (aged eleven) and Birt (aged eight). 
Mr Garner is a stanch Eepublican, and has always endeavored to 
support men of principle and honor, his first presidential vote being 
cast for Gen U. S. Grant. Mrs. Garner is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and both are earnest supporters of principles which 
tend to elevate mankind, and instill in them the nobler feehngs and 
aspirations. They have always given liberally of their me^ns to 
worthy enterprises, and have ever been found ready and willing to lend 
a helping hand to those less fortunate than themselves. Mr. Garner 
has seen the remarkable growth of Wyandotte County, for although he 
came thither later than a great many, yet the country was compara- 
tively unsettled, and but little cultivation of the land had been done 
Kansas City, Kas., was a town of 5,000, but now contains over 40,000 
souls and remarkable improvements in other respects have been made 
since he located there. Although he and his worthy wife have passed 
through many hardships since emigrating thither, they have on the 
whole been happy, prosperous and contented. He is now the owner 
of sixty acres of land lying within a mile and a half of the city limits 
of Kansas City, and although he has been offered large sums of money 
for it, has invariably refused to sell, for on this place he wishes to 
spend his declining years, with his wife and children. 

Albert Garnier, Sr., horticulturist, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Garnier 
needs little or no introduction to the people of Wyandotte County, for 
he is well and favorably known throughout its length and breadth. 






»' V^ 



•^ 




He was l)orn in Baden, Germany, near tbe city of Strasburg, February 
19, 1830, and was liftli in order of birth of ten children — five sous and 
five daughters — six now living. Tbo mother had been married three 
times, first to Mr. Gamier, then to Mr. Hammaly, and her third 
marriage was to Mr. Kuene. To the first union there are three chil- 
dren living: Barbara (resides in Illinois), Jacob (married and resides 
in Centralia, 111., is a wagon -maker by trade), and our suliject. Of the 
second union two children are living: Anna,and Stephonie (who resides 
in 8t. Louis, and is the wife of Charles Stock, who is a cigar-malcer 
l)y trade). Of the third union only one child is living: Frederick 
(married and resides in Omaha, where he is following the trade of a 
cigar-maker). The father of our subject was a native of Alsace, was 
an officer in the French army, under Napoleon Bonaparte, and was 
present at the burning of Moscow, Russia. He has been dead fifty- 
three years. The mother was a native of Baden, and was a lady of 
education and refinement. The father was a fine brick manufacturer, 
and his place, which was quite extensive, was torn down during the 
Kevolution, and on the site a large fort was erected. The largo estate 
was lost during the war, and part was confiscated, while the remainder 
was small indeed for division. The mother died in Centralia, 111. , 
and her remains are interred in the Prairie State. Albert Garnier re- 
ceived his education principally in German schools, and in 1857 he 
emigrated from his native land, landed in New Orleans, La., after a 
tempestuous and terrible voyage of ninety days on a sailing vessel. 
There were ten in his party, and yellow fever took off nine of these. 
He came to Centralia, 111., worked in the Illinois Central Kailroad 
shops for several years, and from Centralia he entered the United 
States service, working three years for Uncle Sam, as a blacksmith on 
board the transports or gunboats on the Mississij)pi River. He was 
honorably discharged, after having served his full time of service. 
After the war ho engaged in business, became the owner of a nice 
tract of laud, but he invested with a dishonest partner, and thus lost 
nearly all he had saved. He emigrated to Kansas City, Mo., in 1800, 
and August 6 of the same year he was married to Miss Johanna Tex- 
tor, in Carlyle, 111., by Rev. Secard, in the German Catholic Church. 
Mrs. (xarnier was born June 24, 18-49, in Minchen, Germany [see 
sketch of John A. Textor |. She is a lady endowed with great busi- 
ness tact, intelligonco and acumen. She is highly in favor of all 
issues which are progressive. She has an excellent mind, and has by 
her industry and frugality aided her husband greatly in accumulating 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



615 



their now largo fortune, most of which thoy have earned by their own 
hard toil, industry and good business management united. Unto this 
marriage have been born seven children — live sons and two daughters: 
Albert J. (resides in Kansas City, Kas. , and is a practical electrician; 
his place of business is 515 Minnesota Avenue; ho is the gentleman 
who had charge of all the princiiial electrical work in the principal 
buildings in Wyandotte and Kansas City, Kas., he is a young man 
of more than ordinary genius as an electrician, and stands on the top- 
most round of the ladder of success in that capacity), Frank (is a 
book-keeper and salesman for William Volker & Co., of Kansas City, 
Mo. ; he is well educated and is a gentleman of business), Elizabeth 
(is a well educated young lady, and is a musician, being well informed 
in this especial accomplishment), William J. (is an apprentice to his 
brother learning the profession of an electrician; he is an able assist- 
ant to his brother, and is also a practical key and locksmith), 
George (who is thirteen years of ago, is attending school), Ernest 
(who is nine years of age, is also attending school), and Rosina (died in 
infancy). Mr. and Mrs. Garnier are great supporters and ardent 
fi-iends of education. In his political views Mr. Garnier affiliates with 
the Democratic party, but he has never been an active politician. He 
has aimed to support men of principle and integrity. Mr. and Mrs. 
Garnier and children are members of the German Catholic Church, 
and they contribute liberally to all worthy movements. As mentioned 
above they came to Kansas City, Mo., in 1866, remained there four 
years, purchased a lot, erected a small house, and with $200 which 
they had saved, were prepared to launch out in life once more. About 
this time the boom came in Kansas City, Mo., and they sold their 
property for $1,400, in trade for the joroperty, that is thirteen acres of 
it, where they now reside, the balance was bought at $50 and $65 per 
acre in 1870. They moved on this when the country was almost a 
wilderness in many portions, and the land consisting of twenty-one and 
one-eighth acres, is now all under cultivation, and very valuable. 
They will not take $1,000, per acre for their home at present, and it is 
only a short time until they will realize much more than $1,000 per 
acre. They have a neat and comfortable frame residence, good out- 
buildings, and they raise the following kinds of fruit: Apples, peaches, 
pears, cherries, Siberian crabs, and plenty of small fruit viz. : Straw- 
berries, raspberries, currants, gooseberries, etc. Of grapes he has 
different varieties, but he has two acres in Concords. They have 
about six acres in line, valuable fruits. Mr. and Mrs. Garnier expect 



^' 



-^^ 



616 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



to makp Wyimdotte County their future home, where they are held in 
the highest regard for their sterling worth and integrity. 

Dr. J. O. Gaskill, druggist, Argentine, Kas. It is to the skill and 
science of the druggist that suffering humanity looks for alleviation 
of pain. The physician may successfully diagnose, but it is the chem- 
ist who prepares the remedy. When, therefore, as in the case of the 
gentleman whose name forms the subject of this sketch, the two pro- 
fessions, namely, that of the physician as well as that of the druggist, 
ai'e combined, how doubly important becomes the establishment con- 
ducted by Dr. J. O. Gaskill. This gentleman was born in Tuscarawas 
County, Ohio, on March 29, 1853, and is the son of Andrew and Su- 
sanna (Lacey) Gaskill, the father a native of England, and the mother 
of Ohio. Andrew Gaskill was a man of fine intellect, and taught 
school in the old country. He died when about thirty-two years of 
age. The mother is also deceased. They were the parents of five 
children. Dr. Gaskill being nest to the youngest in order of birth. 
He was principally reared in Sullivan County, Ind. , where he received 
his education, and began the study of medicine at an early age, gradu- 
ating at liush Medical College, Chicago, in 1881. After this he be- 
gan practicing in Plattsburg, Ind., but only remained there six months, 
although ho practiced his profession in the State until May 1, 1884. 
He then came to Argentine, Kas., engaged in the drug business, and 
this he has since carried on. He carries a full line of goods, and is 
doing a flourishing business. He has retired from his profession, and 
has turned his attention exclusively to the drug business. He selected 
as his companion in life Miss Clara Evans, a native of Iowa, and was 
married to her in 1888. Dr. Gaskill is a member of the City Council, 
and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge. 

Charles J. Gebauer. Among the more recent acquisitions to the busi- 
ness interests of Kansas City, Kas., the drug establishment of which 
Mr. Gebauer is proprietor has taken a place that one might well think 
belonged to an older established house. It was July 15, 1888, that he 
became located at this point, and the stock of goods he carries is only 
to be found in well-kept, reliable stores. His knowledge of the business 
was learned in the city of St. Louis, Mo., where he was born April 25, 
1859, both his parents dying before ho was two 3'ears of age. Thus 
left an orphan he was placed in the family of F. W. Heinig, where he 
had a good home until he reached the age of eighteen years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Heinig, acting as his foster parents, sent him to the Lutheran 
parochial schools of St. Louis, and otherwise cared for him as though 



^. 



^1 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 617 



ho was a child of their own. Mr. Heiaig was a druggist, and in his 
establishment Mr. G6baner clerked, when not at school, from the 
time he was old enough until he was eighteen. At that age, or in the 
fall of 1878, he entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and 
in this institution he completed a full course of pharmacy, graduating 
July 1, 1880. In the fall of the same year he came west and for 
about nine months was in the drug store of Aldrich & Brown, in 
Wichita, Kas., from which place he went toLeadville, Colo., and was 
employed as drug clerk there for al)out nine months. In 1882 he re- 
turned to Kansas, and accepted a situation as a clerk in the drug es- 
tablishment at Topeka of A. J. Arnold, but becoming dissatisfied with 
that location he, at the end of a year, became an employe of the Myer 
Brothers' Drug Co., Kansas City, Mo., five and one-half years being 
spent in their employ. Prior to this he had successfully established 
two drug stores which are still in existence and in a flourishing con- 
dition. He next, as above mentioned, established his present store at 
No. 1612 North Fifth Street, Kansas City, Kas., his place being known 
as the "L" Pharmacy. He has devoted his attention to the drug 
business all his life, and is now one of the most competent pharma- 
cists in the city. His well known knowledge of the business, together 
with his courteous and accommodating manner, has enabled him to 
build up a good patronage, and he has also won a large circle of warm 
friends. He is a purely self-made young man, and owes his success 
to his good habits and his own personal energy. His establishment is 
conducted in a business-like manner, and is one of the best in the city. 
He is a member of the Kansas Pharmaceutical Association, and the 
Missouri Pharmaceutical Association. On October 5, 1887, he was 
married to Miss Louisa Gebauer, of Troy, 111., who, although she bore 
the same name as her husband, belonged to an entirely different fam- 
ily, and was not related to him in any way. Mr. and Mrs. Gebauer 
have a son, Arthur, who was born September 2, 1888. 

Andrew Geiger, fruit-grower, Argentine, Kas. Mr. Geiger, one 
of the prominent fruit-growers of Shawnee Township, came to Wyan- 
dotte County, Kas., in 1801, settled on his present farm in 1866, and 
is now the owner of eighty acres of choice bluff land. On this he 
has planted as follows: 400 apple trees of some of the best varieties, 
30 peach trees, of different varieties, 30 cherry trees. 400 grapevines, 
a great many blackberry and raspberry bushes, one-half acre in straw- 
berries, 10 acres in jjotatoes, one-half acre in cabbage, one acre in 
sweet potatoes, and the balance in meadow and timber. He improved 



V 



^1 



ei8 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



his place very much, erected a nice, comfortable residence, and has 
been unusuUy successful. When he first settled on bis farm it was 
wild land covered with timber, and at one time belonged to an Indian 
family. The farm is now valued at $800 per acre. He associated 
with the Indians for about ten years, and always found them peace- 
ful in their relations. Mr. Geiger is of foreign birth, having been 
born in Germany, on October 23, 1823, and is the son of F. Geiger, 
natives also of that country. Our subject remained in his native 
country until twenty-nine years of age, and then on April 29, 1852, 
he landed in the United States, going direct to Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Later he spent considerable time in traveling from place to place, 
visiting all the important cities, both North and South, and finally, in 
18(il, he settled in this State. On March 4, 1864, he was married to 
Miss Charlotte Borke, a native of Germany, born in 1830. [See 
sketch of brother.] They have three children: August, William and 
Frederick. Mr. Geiger is a Republican in his political views, and 
himself and family are members of the German Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He is an excellent citizen, and like all his countrymen, is 
honest and industrious. 

Joseph Godard is a native of France, and came to the United 
States in 1863, and has been a resident of Wyandotte County, Kas., 
since 1866, purchasing, the same year, his present farm of forty acres 
of Rogers, an Indian chief. This land was well timbered, and Mr. 
Godard immediately set himself to work to improve it, and was en- 
gaged in farming until 1876, when he followed the lead of his neigh 
bors and commenced raising vegetables, making a specialty of pota- 
toes. He has found this a very profitable business, and almost every 
year devotes twelve acres to the Early Ohio, the average yield being 
115 bushels to the acre. One acre is given to the raising of Flat 
Dutch cabbage, which produces about 20,000 heads, and he also raises 
an early variety of sweet corn, and one acre to the Yellow Jersey 
sweet potatoes. Although his farm is small, it is an excellent size for 
the business which is now receiving his attention, and being fertile 
and carefully tilled, it yields a larger annual income than many larger 
farms. Mr. Godard was born in 1835, and was reared to manhood in 
the country of his birth, becoming familiar with farm duties during 
his minority. Before emigrating to this country he was married to 
Miss Madeline Summers, and to them a family of two children have 
been born: Alfred, and Jennie (wife of Joseph Momie). Alfred was 
born on December 18, 1865, on his father's home place in this county. 



^ e 

-^i 



^ 



-" — "k . 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



619 



and here he has attained manhood. He was married in 1888, to Miss 
Irma Godard, and he and his father are liberal in their political views, 
and vote for the man rather than with any party. They belong to the 
Catholic Church at Argentine, and have always been public-spirited, 
charitable and law-abiding citizens. 

C. H. Gordon (colored), one of the prominent and much respected 
citizens of Kansas City, Kas., was originally from Todd County, Ky. , 
his birth occurring near Elkton, in 1834 —a slave. He was nineteen 
years of age when he moved to Clay County, Mo., and after residing 
there for some time, moved to Carroll and then Ray County. He 
came from the last-named county to Kansas, and was a slave until the 
fall of 1863, when he ran away from his owner and joined the army. 
He served until 1866, was in the first battle with Gen. Price during 
the memorable raid in Kansas, was at Bridgeport, Ala., Island 
No. 10, and was on the gunboat, "James White, '" when she sank. He 
was wounded at Island No. 10, and for this reason can do but little 
manual labor. For many years he received a pension of $4 per 
month from the United States Government, but this has been in- 
creased to $6 per month. His last battle was at Nashville. He 
was stationed at Huntsville, Ala., until mustered out of service, was 
a brave soldier, and served his country faithfully and well. Return- 
ing to Kansas City after the war, he started out in life a free man, and 
is now engaged in the real estate business. He has accumulated con- 
siderable wealth, and is now the owner of sixteen or seventeen lots in 
town. His marriage with Miss Rosa Gordon, a native of Missouri, 
who was also a slave at one time, occurred in Kansas City, and the 
fi'uits of this union have been three children: Susan, Gracy and Mamie. 
Mr. Gordon is a stanch Republican in politics, and always votes that 
ticket. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Dr. George M. Gra}' was born in Waukegan, 111., March 4, 
1856, to R. M. and Susan (Doust) Gray, the former a native of Rhode 
Island and the latter of Massachusetts. They are now residing in 
Quindaro, Wyandotte County, Kas., whither they moved in 1858. 
Dr. George M. Gray is the third of their four children, all of whom 
are living, and since his second year he has been a resident of Wyan- 
dotte County, Kas. , and is therefore well known to its citizens. His 
early education was acquired in the public schools, and at the age of 
nineteen years he secured the position of clerk in T. J. Eaton's drug 
store in Kansas City, Mo., but at the end of two years he began the 
study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. E. W. Schauffler, 



1 I S 



620 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



remaining with him three years, during this time completing a course 
in the Kansas City Medical College, then known as the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons of Kansas City. He graduatefl in March, 
1879, and in the fall of ihat year entered the Bellevue Hospital Medi- 
cal College, of New York City, from which he was graduated in 
March, 1880. He at once located in Kansas City, Kas. , where he has 
since devoted his time and attention to the practice of his profes- 
sion, and of this city he is now a leading physician. He was mar- 
ried, November 21, 1881, to Miss Carrie E. Harlan, a native of Mar- 
shall, 111., and is a daughter of Howard and Minerva Z. (Byers) Har- 
lan, and their marriage has resulted in the birth of four children: 
Alfred H. , a son that died in infancy, Mary A. and Kuth M. Of 
Ihcse named Alfred H., is also deceased. The Doctor is an Odd Fel- 
low, a Republican, and has served one term of two years as coroner of 
"Wyandotte County, and for five years has been county physician, 
being now the incumbent of the of&ce. He is a member of the East- 
ern District Medical Society, the Kansas State Medical Society, and 
is one of the surgeons to St. Margaret's Hospital. 

David J. Griest is a well-known lumber dealer and a prominent 
and honored citizen of Kansas City, Kas. He was born in Chester 
County, Penn. , January 24, 1836, to Jacob and Eebecca (Weaver) 
Griest, their births also occurring there, he being the fourth of six 
children born to them, four of this family being now alive. The mother 
of these children died in 1841, and their father afterward married 
Miss Mary Phillips, her death occurring in 1871, and his in 1869. 
David J. Griest spent his youth and early manhood in his native State, 
his siimmers being devoted to farm labor, and his winters to attending 
the district school near his home. Upon attaining his fourteenth year 
he hired out as a farmer's boy, but at the age of sixteen years he 
began learning the carpenter's trade, and served a three-years' ap- 
prenticeship under AVilliam Koss, of Lancaster County, Penn. For 
one year after his apprenticeship was completed he worked at his 
trade, under instruction, in the State of Maryland, but in 1856 came 
west, to Warsaw, HI., and was there' engaged in working at his trade 
until after the close of the presidential campaign of that year, when 
he went to Memphis, Tenn., and in that jalace and vicinity he spent 
about eight months. In 1857 he returned to Illinois, and made his 
home in the town of Bloomington until the spring of 1859, at which 
time he went to Pike's Peak, Colo., and during the nine years which 
followed he was chiefly engaged in the freighting business throughout 



^ 



*-^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 621 



Colorado, Utah, Montaaa and California, at the same time giving some 
attention to mining. In the latter part of 1867 he returned to his old 
home in Chester County, Penn.. and was there married, on New 
Year's day, 1868, to Miss Sarah Mathews, an old sweetheart. Soon 
after this event he removed to Leavenworth, Kas., and during a two 
years' residence there was engaged in stock dealing. In 1870 he re- 
moved to Jefferson County, Kas., where he tilled the soil until 1872, 
then formed a partnership with Robert Garrett, of Leavenworth, in 
the lumbei; business, and from that time until 1881 their interests were 
in Winchester, where they operated a first-class yard, and did a good 
business. Since the last-named date he has been a resident of Kansas 
City, Kas., and the firm, which is composed of himself and Robert 
Garrett, has one of the best and most successfully conducted lumber 
yards in the city. Their business partnership has existed for about 
eighteen years, and their relations have always been most amicable 
and harmonious. Mr. and Mrs. Griest are the parents of seven chil- 
dren: Harry, Jessie, Sue, Edith, Frankie, Chester and Jennie. Mr. 
Griest is a stanch Republican, is a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and socially, belongs to the A. F. & A. M. and the I. O. O. F. 
He has always devoted his attention strictly to the management of his 
business affairs, and has been correspondingly prosperous. He pos- 
sesses excellent habits, and is highly respected by all. 

G. M. Griffin is the proprietor of the Club Stables of Kansas City 
Kas. ; was born in Blue-Grass soil, October 5, 1858, and until he 
was thirteen years of age, his home was in his native State, his parents 
then moving to Newton County, Mo. , where they made their home for 
six years, then returned to Kentucky and took up their residence at 
Bardstown Junction, in Bullitt County, and here G. M. Griffin made 
his home until he attained his majority. Prior to his thirteenth year, 
he had attended the schools of Danville, but that was all the school- 
ing he received. The father, Cary A. Griffin, was a Virginian, but 
after he had attained his eighteenth year he removed to Kentucky and 
settled in Greene County, where he followed the occupation of a 
farmer and tobacco raiser, being also a merchant of the latter, and 
pressed nearly all the tobacco raised in that section of the State. 
Cary A. Griffin, the father of George M., lost his fortune by embark- 
ing in the cotton business, just prior to a time which proved disas- 
trous to all who had means largely invested in that staple. The age 
of sixty-five years found himself penniless, or nearly so, with a fam- 
ily of four sons and four daughters. He then came west, locating in 



' >f i 



-.^ 



V^f 



622 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Newton County, Mo., but the separation from his old friends and the 
hardships of the West were so detrimental to his health that his family 
took him back to Kentucky, but he only lived a year and a half. Dur- 
ing this time G. M. Griffin and his brother, E. M. , had the care of 
the family, but after the death of their father, they again came West 
with their mother, four sisters and one brother, and for three years 
made their home in Dade County. Mo. G. M. Griffin was fortunate 
in raising a large crop, but sold it and went to Chicago with his sisteri 
who secured employment with the Bradstreet Mercantile Company, and 
he acted as shijjping clerk for Iveson, Blakemon, Taylor & Co., remain- 
ing with them twelve months. Shortly after, he came to Kansas City, 
then went to Texas for a grain commission company, and was in that 
State two years. He then left them to take charge of Vale, Minor & 
Co.'s stage line, from Caldwell, Kas. , to Fort Reno, Indian Terri- 
tory, and had charge of the same duiing the star-route troubles. After 
following this occupation for thirteen months, he built a stable in Fort 
Reno, and after conducting the same with success for two years, he 
came to Kansas City, where he has since lived. He was in the employ 
of the Kansas City Cable Railway for eighteen months, the " L" Rail- 
road for fourteen months, and has since devoted his attention to 
his present business, which is prospering. He has over fifty boarding 
horses, besides sixteen head of his own, and all are in excellent condi- 
tion, and are ever found ready for use, and his conveyances and vehi- 
cles correspond. He is a painstaking, energetic and enterprising gen- 
tleman, and under his supervision there is little doubt but that his. 
establishment will be even more popular than it already is. His mar- 
riage, which took place in Kansas City, Mo., in 1880, was to Miss 
Maggie P. Gentry, and by her he has two children: Ella and George 
M. , Jr. His wife is a Kentuckian, and is a member of the Gentry 
family, well known in that State and in Missouri. Mr. Griffin's great- 
grandfather was born in Wales, and at an early day came to America 
and settled in Virginia. Mr. Griffin is a Democrat. 

Mrs. Annie Marthall Grinter, subject of the present sketch, is the 
widow of Moses R. Grinter, who departed this life in the year 1878. 
His remains rest in Grinter' s Chapel Cemetery, and his grave is marked 
by a beautiful and costly monument, which was erected to his memory 
by his loving and devoted widow. Mr. Grinter was a Democrat in poli- 
ties, and a strong supporter of Jefferson ianism, casting his first presi- 
dential vote for Gen. George B. McClelland. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Grinter were devout and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal 

-C (S r- -^ S, >y 



I^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 623 



Church, Sout.h, and have at all times and in every possible way aided 
religious causes. They passed about forty years of married life to- 
gether, and VFere equally popular and highly respected in the com- 
munity where they resided. Since death has deprived her of the loved 
companion, Mrs. Grinter resides in her elegant brick residence, and 
being in good financial circumstances lives happily and quietly, sur- 
rou.nded by a host of admiring friends and her children. She is gen- 
erally held in high esteem, and loved for her kindly disposition and 
beautiful character. Her present residence is in Wyandotte Town- 
ship, Wyandotte County, Kas. She was a member of the Delaware 
tribe, and was born on January 8, 1820, in Miami County, Ohio. Her 
father was a trader in Indiana, and to her parents were born eight 
children — four sons and four daughters — viz. : John M. (deceased), 
Anna (the subject of this sketch), Jane (deceased), Samuel (deceased), 
Polly (widow of H. Tiblow, and lives in Indian Territory), Samuel 
(who died in early infancy), William (who died in early manhood), 
Rosanna (who makes her home in Perryville, Kas., and is the wife of 
James C. Grinter, a farmer by vocation. She is the youngest child of 
the family. The subject of this sketch received her educational train- 
ing in the Osage Mission, but is exceedingly liberal in all her views, 
and a ready supporter of all schools, and a willing contributor to pub- 
lic matters of merit. She was married to Moses R. Grinter in Janu- 
ary, 1886, and to this union were born ten children — four sons and sis 
daughters — six of whom are dead. Those living at the present writ- 
ing are Frances C. (wife of John C. Grinter, and resides in Wyandotte 
Township; they have had seven children, two of whom are dead, 
and live living), Mary Jane (widow of A. P. Defries, and who makes 
her home in Wyandotte County), Martha V. (resident of Nebraska 
City, Neb., and wife of H. C. Kirby, who is a Methodist minister), 
C. R. Grinter (who married Miss Elizabeth Sherly, of Penn. , and is a 
farmer by occupation, and resides in Wyandotte County), W. H. H. 
(who is dead; he served in the late war, being at first a private, and 
belonging to Company E, Fifteenth Volunteer Cavalry; he served 
his coimtry faithfully and well and was discharged after fighting nobly 
foi' Uncle Sam). Mrs. Grinter lives upon a historical spot of ground. 
Her husband and his brother, J. C. Grinter, were Kentuckians, and 
kept the ferry that was the place of crossing for the immense amount 
of travel between Kansas City and the mountains. It was at this 
point that Gen. Fremont crossed on his forced march across the great 
plain. They kept here a store and blacksmith shop for the Indians, 



v*- 



k. 



624 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



and it was also a voting precinct. At tlie time when Mr. and Mrs. 
Grinter settled in Kansas it was nothing more than a wilderness, there 
being no trace of civilization to be seen. The great bustling scene of 
enterprise, Kansas City, Mo., was then only a steamboat landing, 
and Kansas City, Kas. , was indeed a dreary spot, without even one log- 
cabin to indicate the great popularity it was afterward to attain. 

C. F. Gilliford is a young gentleman well and favorably known 
throughout Wyandotte Township, Kas. He is a native of this county, 
his birth occurring in June, 1863, and is the eldest of the three children 
born to his jiarents. The next child, George, died at the age of 
eighteen, after receiving a good education at the common schools, and 
Joseph is living at home at the present writing, is twenty-four years 
old, and a farmer by occupation. Mr. Gilliford' s father, Col. Joseph 
Gilliford, was a native of Pennsylvania, was a farmer, and a grad- 
uate from the mercantile and business college in Pittsburgh, Penn. 
The subject of this sketch remained at the paternal home until his 
marriage to Miss Mollie A.. Rearden, of Missouri. She was born in 
1868, and received an education in the public schools. Her parents 
are of Irish descent, and are now residents of this county, the father 
being a successful agriculturist. In politics Mr. Gilliford's sjan- 
pathies are decidedly with the Democratic partj', and he cast his first 
vote for Cleveland, of whom he is still an enthusiastic admirer. Tak- 
ing an active part in all elections, he has been a delegate to the county 
contentions. Though quite a young man, his principles and convic- 
tions do justice to his judgment, and he is prominent in the afPairs of 
the neighborhood in which he resides. Mrs. Gilliford is a member of 
the Roman Catholic Church, and both she and her husband are always 
willing to aid any just cause, and support worthy institutions. Hav- 
ing resided in this county since his birth, Mr. Gilliford is familiar with 
the numerous and oftentimes wonderful changes that have been made 
here during late years, especially the remarkable booms in 1881 and 
1887. At one time he attended the graded schools and normal school 
in Trenton, Penn., where he laid the foundation for an excellent edu- 
cation, and fitted himself for the practical issues of life. During one 
year of the time passed in Pennsylvania, where he was engaged 
in Alleghany City, and after his return home devoted his atten- 
tion to agriculture, which he intends to make the occupation of 
his life. Possessing an abundant supply of money he will be enabled 
to carry out his ideas successfully, and will at an early date build a 
beautiful home, and locate permanently. Mr. Gilliford is a bright 



t 



^4> 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



625 



young business man, and a has promising future before bim, and a 
sufficient amouut of determination to put ideas into effect. 

Hon. Sanford HafF needs no introduction to the citizens of Wyan- 
dotte County, Kas. , for he has long resided there and has become well 
known throughout this as well as the surrounding counties. He is a 
practical farmer by avocation and is a native of Sanduskj^ County, 
Ohio, whore he was born on September 15, 1837, being the eldest of 
nine children, whose names are as follows: Sanford (the eldest, as 
already stated), Edward (who is a farmer of Michigan and is married), 
Elisha (who is married and engaged in farming in Sandusky County, 
Ohio), Reuben (who is also married and engaged in farming in that 
State), Maliuda (who is the wife of A. J. Lewis, a tiller of the soil of 
Sandusky County, Ohio), Betsey (who is the wife of William Whit- 
taker, a farmer of the above-named county), Fred (who is married 
and farming in Ohio), Belle (who is the wife of D. A. Haff- 
ner, an attorney-at-law of Clyde, Ohio), and Bird (who also re- 
sides in Ohio, is married and is an agriculturist). The par- 
ents of these children were born in New York State, the father 
being an agriculturist by occupation, and he was also a true and tried 
soldier in the Revolutionary War. Ho was a very successful man of 
business, and at his death, which occurred when he was about seven- 
ty-one years of age, he left an e.state valued at about $100,000. He 
was educated in the old subscription schools of Ohio, his wife receiv- 
ing a portion of her education in them also, but afterward finished 
her learning in an academy of Melmore, Ohio. Mr. Haff's early ad- 
vantages were acquired in the old subscription schools, but he later at- 
tended a select school in which he received a higher education, which 
admirably fitted him for the duties of life. He has always been inter- 
ested in the cause of education, and even now is a constant and persis- 
tent reader, keeping thoroughly posted on all the current issues of the 
day. Upon leaving the select school above mentioned, he took a course 
in Oberlin College, Ohio, after which, at the age of twenty-two years, 
he commenced life for himself as an agriculturist. His property at 
this time consisted of eighty acres of land, on which no improvements 
had been made, but he owed $500, so his prospects for the future were 
not at all promising. He, however, possessed much courage and en- 
terprise, and set energetically to work to pay his obligation and improve 
his farm, and so successful was he in this that he was soon out of debt 
and has his farm in excellent condition for successful agricultural 
purposes. He was married in 1860 to Miss Eunice E. Lewis, a native 



sp 



of Ohio, her education being received in an academy of that State, and 
to them three children were born: Millie (who died at the age of fonr 
years), Hiram (aged two at the time of his death) and Jay (who resides 
in Clyde, Ohio, and is making law his profession). Mr. Haff lost his 
wife and his two children by diphtheria, inside of three weeks, and 
they now sleep in a cemetery in Ohio, where a beautiful monument is 
erected to their memory by a loving husband and father. Mr. Haff was 
married a second time, in 1870, to Mrs. Mary (Garrett) Gilliford, a na- 
tive of Wyandotte County, Ohio, her education being received in Kenyon 
Seminary, Ohio, a school for young ladies. She is a refined and high- 
ly educated lady and has proven an excellent wife and a model mother. 
Of the three children born to herself and husband, only one is now 
living, Fred, who is fourteen years of age. Willie, died at the age of 
four years, and Nina at the age of two. In the spring of 1862 Mr. 
Haff enlisted in Company K, One Hundredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
and was mustered into service at Toledo, Ohio, as first Lieutenant, 
being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, his regiment afterward 
being engaged principally in skirmish line work. After being in the 
service about eighteen months he resigned his lieutenancy to a com- 
rade and retired from the service, owing to his failing health. Upon 
returning home he devoted his time to raising forces for the "100 
day" men, after he had regained his normal health and did some ef- 
fective work in this direction. He has always affiliated with the 
Democrat party, and has always upheld the true principles of Jeffer- 
sonianism, and his first presidential vote was cast for Stephen A. 
Douglas. He has held the position of Representative in the Legisla- 
ture three terms in succession, which stamps him as a man in whom 
the people repose the utmost confidence. Some of the successful 
measures which he fully advocated and pressed to a successful issue 
are as follows: The compelling of the railroads to pay full value for 
all stock killed, and the dividing up of the time of paying taxes, which 
greatly benefited all the tax-payers. He read law with Hon. Charles 
S. Glick, a brother of Gov. Glick, and was admitted to the bar. He is 
a Mason,, a member of the G. A. R. , belonging to Burnside Post No. 
28, of Wyandotte, Kas. , in the latter organization, which is in a very 
flourishing condition. Mr. and Mrs. Haff are supporters of all laud- 
able enterprises, and are among the best of the county's numerous 
worthy citizens. In the spring of 1868 Mr. Haff came to this county, 
and although the prospect was not very promising to early settlers, his 
worldly goods have continued to increase, and he was at one time the 



^^ 



>?-. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 627 



owner of 142 acres of land, but sold 105 acres for 1450 per acre, but 
still owns 37 acres of valuable land. Mrs. Haff was the widow of Col. 
Joseph Gillitord, of Pennsylvania, by whom she had three sons: For- 
rest (the eldest, is a farmer, is married), George (died at the age of 
eighteen years), and Joseph (who is single, resides at home and is fol- 
lowing farming for a living). Mrs. Nancy Garrett, a relative of Mrs. 
HafF, came with the Wyandotte Indians from Ohio to Wyandotte 
County, Kas. , in 1843. Her father, William W^alker, was born in North 
Carolina, and was taken prisoner by the Delaware Indians in 1776, at 
the age of eight years, and was sold by this tribe to the Wyandotte 
Indians at Detroit, Mich., and with this tribe he continued to reside 
imtil his death in 1825, marrying after reaching maturity, one of the 
tribe. He is the father of all the Walkers that settled in Wyandotte 
County, Kas. 

Henry Hafner, of Kansas City, Kas., was born in Prussia, Ger- 
many, in 1841, a son of Henry and Hannah (Ismirt) Hafner, the former 
of whom was a butcher by trade, and is still following that occupation. 
The mother is deceased. By this wife the father had two children, 
but after her death he married again and became the father of twelve 
children. Henry Hafner came to America when he was twenty-eight 
years old, at which time he could not speak the English language, 
although he had received an excellent education in German, and had 
learned the French language, while residing in that country for some 
time. He was in the war of 1869, against Austria, taking part in the 
noted battles of Hennerwasser and Keoinggreatz, and served until the 
close of that war. He had previously served in the regular army of 
the country, but had gone to France to escape further service, re- 
maining in that country from 1866 to 1869. Upon reaching the United 
States, he located near Buffalo, N. Y. , and was there married, two 
months later, to Miss Ametia Ismert, who was born in New York, but 
her death occurred in 1874, after having borne two children: Julia, 
and Eugene. Soon after his marriage Mr. Hafner came to Kansas 
City, Kas., and for fifteen years followed the trade of a butcher in 
this city, at which he made considerable money. In 1875 he espoused 
Miss Kate Stewart, and five children have blessed their union: Georgia, 
Albert, Fred, Elna and Helena. Mr. Hafner purchased considerable 
property while in business, upon which he built houses at different 
times and sold them, and this has proved a very profitable enterprise, 
making him a wealthy man. He is recognized as one of the solid busi- 
ness men of the city, and his views are shrewd and intelligent. He 

h4, _ ,> 

^6 1- ^* e > 



^ 



A 



628 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



is a Democrat, politically, and is an earnest member of the Koman 
Catholic Church. He belongs to the Catholic Mutual Benefit Associa- 
tion, and at all times supports the measures of this order. 

O. D. Hall is vice-president of the American Land Trust Company 
of Kansas City, Kas. He is a man possessing many sterling business 
principles, and may be said to be making a success of his life. His 
birth occurred in Rush County, Ind., in 1856, but in 1870 he came 
with his parents to Kansas, located in Marshall County, and was there 
reared and educated, and save all but birth, is a purely western man. 
He received the advantages of a high-school education, although his 
parents had a hard time to make a living the first few years after their 
arrival here, but he assisted them in their farming operations in every 
way that he could until 1878, then moved to Waterville, Kas., and be- 
came a clerk in a bank, a position he retained six years, after which he 
was promoted to the position of cashier. Soon after, he assisted in 
organizing the Commercial Bank of Waterville, and after acting as 
cashier of the same for some time, he purchased out the other stock- 
holders, and finally became proprietor of the whole establishment. 
His salary on first starting out in business was $30 per month, but 
from time to time he invested his earnings in real estate, and is now 
one of the wealthy men of the county. He sold his bank in 1888, and 
until he came to Kansas City, Kas. , he was in the loan business. Since 
then he has been a member of the present firm, having previously been 
associated with his partners in the land business for many years. 
The members of this company control all the stock in the Husted 
Minnesota Avenue Building Company, and have the entire con- 
trol over 100,000 acres of Texas lands, in the northern and central 
portions of the State, and sell to actual settlers. Mr. Hall was mar- 
ried in early manhood to Miss Katie Rodacker, a native of Ohio, and 
two children have been born to their marriage: Lyman A. and Carl. 
Mr. Hall's parents were born in Indiana, the mother being a Kelly, 
and of Irish descent. The father speculated in stock and provisions 
during the war, which he furnished to the army, but was only in the 
ninety days' service, being then honorably discharged. Mr. Hall, the 
subject of this sketch, began life a poor boy, and by superior business 
management he has been more than ordinarily successful, and is now 
a member of one of the leading land and trust companies in the 
county. 

Edward H. Hambee. There is nothing so markedly shows the 
strength and prosperity of Kansas City's trade as the number of large 



f 



.^^~- :±=lhL, 



1 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 629 



concerns engaged in handling the necessaries of life, and prominent 
among them is the grocery establishment belonging to Mr. Hambee, 
located at No. 274 North Seventh Street, and was erected in 1888. 
Mr. Hambee was born on a sailing vessel upon the North Sea, between 
Sweden and England, May 31, 18-48, his father being Edward Ham- 
bee, and his mother Charlotte Lofstedt, whose marriage occurred 
about 1846. To them a family of seven children were born, three of 
whom are now living: Hulda C, Ida H. and Edward H., the former 
being a resident of Sweden, Ida H. being the wife of Otto Bank, the 
English consul at Helsingborg. Edward Hambee followed the calling of 
a sailor, and for as many as twenty five years was captain of various sail- 
ing vessels, many of which he owned. He was skipper and part owner 
of the vessel upon which his son, Edward H. , was born, and in early 
manhood, before his marriage, he had come to America on a prospect- 
ing tour, and went as far west as California. After spending two 
years in this country, he returned to Sweden, and throughout his 
whole life his home was either in or near the city of Kalmer. He 
held high rank in the Masonic order, and was a member of the Swed- 
ish Lutheran Church. He died in August, 1860, his widow, who is 
still living, making her home in Kalmer, Sweden. The subject of 
this sketch spent his boyhood chiefly upon the sea with his father, but 
when he had attained his twelfth year his father died, and he com- 
menced fighting his own way in life as a cabin boy, and thias con- 
tinued a year and a half. He then returned to his home in Kalmer, 
and during the winter of 1862-63 went to school. From the spring 
of the latter year, until the fall of 1865, he sailed on the vessel "Os- 
car " upon the waters bordering the shores of Europe, serving during 
this time as an able seaman, but upon his return home at the end of this 
time, he again entered school, energetically pursuing his studies during 
the winter of 1865-66. In the spring of the latter year he again 
went to sea, and from that time until December, 1869, he sailed con- 
stantly upon British, German and American vessels, and made two 
trips around the world, the first being in 1866-67, and the last in 
1868. He was three times shipwrecked, and upon one occasion only 
himself and one other of the crew were saved, this being in the Eng- 
lish Channel in 1866. In December, 1869, he once more returned to 
his home, and from that time until the following May he took a course 
in navigation in a school in Kalmer, after which he returned to sea 
once more, and for two months acted as chief officer on the sailing 
vessel " Svalan," which sailed upon the Baltic Sea, and of which his 



— « — shv 




uncle was captain and owner. The succeeding three months he acted 
as captain of this vesssel, but in the fall of 1870 he came to America, 
and the following December put to sea from New York as second offi- 
cer, but the vessel caught fire and burned after being out at sea two 
days. Of the twelve who composed the crew six were drowned, the 
remaining six, among whom was Mr. Hambse, drifted for four days in 
an open boat. They were finallj^ rescued by a passing vessel, but 
not until two of the number had frozen to death. Mr. Hambee and 
his three surviving comrades were taken to New York, where the for- 
mer soon shipped as second officer upon another vessel, which was 
used to transport negroes from the United States to Africa, and with it 
he made two trips to that country. In 1872 he shipped as second 
officer from New York upon the vessel " Resolute," to the West In- 
dies, but at San Domingo the vessel was converted into a Cuban man- 
of-war, and its name was changed to " Pioneer." On June 6, 1872, 
he was appointed a gunner in the naval service of the Cuban Repub- 
lic, and during the following months the " Pioneer" was used in the 
interests of the Cuban independence. Mr. Hambee returned to New 
York in August, 1872, and for two years was captain of a barge on the 
Hudson River. Later on he was captain of a canal-boat on Erie 
canal a few months, and still later he ran a canal-boat of his own for a 
few months in New Jersey. Selling his boat, he, in the fall of 1874, 
engaged in the grocery business in Brooklyn, N. Y. , but in the spring 
of 1875 sold out and came west as far as Chicago, and during the fol- 
lowing summer sailed on the great lakes. The winter of 1875-70 he 
conducted a saloon in Chicago, but in the summer of the latter year he 
once more became a sailor on the lakes. For a year following this he 
was a contractor of painting in Chicago, but this business he abandoned 
in the fall of 1877 to go to the Black Hills, where he was engaged in 
mining for three months. He then went to Leadville, Colo., where he 
followed the same occupation until 1879, in the fall of which year he 
came to Kansas City, Mo., and in 1881 to Kansas City, Kas. , dur- 
ing which year and the succeeding one, he was in the employ of Deer, 
Mansuer & Co., carriage and implement dealers. In 1883 he entered 
the employ of Trumbull, Reynolds & Allen, implement manufacturers 
and dealers, and remained with them three years, one year acting as 
foreman, and the two years as contractor of paint work. The year 
following this he was a contractor of house painting, but this calling 
he gave up in the fall of 1887 to open a grocery establishment on 
North Seventh Street, where he now has one of the neatest and hand- 



rrv^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 631 



somest groceries in the city. In connection with this establishment 
he also acts as agent for several steamboat lines. He was married 
May 8, 1880, to Miss Mary Peterson, a native of Sweden, who came 
to America in 1878. and to them three children have been born: Ed- 
ward Hugo, Ida Jjynea and Victor Herald. Mr. Hambee is a member 
of the I. O. O. F., also a Swedish society called Nordens Venner, of 
which he was one of the founders, and is now secretary. He is an in- 
telligent and upright citizen, and although his career has been a some- 
what varied and checkered one, he is now entirely willing and con- 
tented to spend the remainder of his days at his present business 
in Kansas City, where he and his wife have many warm personal 
freinds. 

Hans Hanson is a native of Denmark, born in Skalund June 6,1836, 
there receiving a fair education in his youth, and learning the trade of 
a carpenter. He was very skillful in the use of tools, and after some 
time began contracting and building, purchasing his lumber by the 
ship load, and selling the same by wholesale to dealers, this occupation 
receiving his attention until he came to America in 1879. His first place 
of residence in the United States was at Racine, Wis., his employment 
here being that of a fireman in a factory, a jiosition he filled for three 
years. At the end of this time he went to Kansas City, Mo., and 
started a wholesale sash, door and blind establishment, and this he 
successfully conducted for three years, when he was so unfortunate as 
to be burned out, his loss amounting to about |3,000. He then gave 
up this business and opened up a grocery at Lathrop, Mo., and here he 
also shipped grain to Chicago, in which business he did well. He nest 
returned to Kansas City, Mo., and became associated as a contractor 
and builder with a Mr. Funk, a connection which lasted five years, 
they in the meantime putting up a wholesale warehouse, but he after- 
ward gave up this business to engage in real estate, contracting and 
building, and house building for himself, and has done so remarkably 
well that he is now the owner of forty-seven houses, among which may 
be mentioned Hanson's Opera House and the Hanson House, besides 
other valuable property. Upon coming to this city he purchased so 
much valuable property, he was supposed to be a syndic from Germany. 
He is well known for his honorable, straightforward system of doing 
business, and has secured the confidence of all with whom he has had 
business transactions. He has been phenomenally successful, and is 
now worth at least $300,000. He was married in Kansas City, Kas., 
but his wife only lived about one year, leaving at her death a daughter 



i 



632 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



■who is named Katie N. Mr. Hanson is a Republican, and a member 
of the Lutheran Church. 

S. E. Harness, general manager of the Wyandotte Coal & Lime 
Company, Kansas City, Kas., was born in Illinois on June 15, 1859, 
and there remained until twenty-three years of age. He received a 
good practical education, and took a one year' s course in the Commercial 
College at Valparaiso, Ind., graduating in the class of 1878 and 1879. 
After this he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for one year, was 
then in the milling business with his father until 1883 when he sold out 
and came West. He settled in Kansas City, Kas. , in November, and 
was connected with L. H. Wood in the real estate business until the fol- 
lowing J uly when he engaged in the coal business for the firm of Har- 
ness & Co. This firm was changed to Robinson & Harness and thus 
continued until September 1, 1885, when it was merged into the Wy- 
andotte Coal Company, S. E. Harness being treasurer of the same. 
He held this position until February 1, of the following year, when the 
title was changed to Wyandotte Coal & Lime Company, and he was 
elected general manager, which position he holds at the present time. 
Of this enterprise J. B. Wood is president; J. B. Scroggs, vice-presi- 
dent; S. E. Harness, general manager; S. C. Garrett, auditor; N. V. 
Widener, secretary, and W. P. Overton, treasurer. In polities Mr. 
Harness is closely allied with the Democratic party. He is a member of 
the K. of P. and the K. of H., Elk Lodge of Kansas City, Mo. He 
was married to a young lady of Crawford County, 111., and to 
them has been born one child — Glen, a girl. The Harness family 
is of German origin, and the father of our subject was born in 
■ Cross County, Ohio. He had been a flatboat man, but followed 
milling for thirty years. He died in this county. The mother is still 
living and makes her home with her son, S. E. She is a member of 
the Christian Church, of which the father was also a member. Mrs. 
S. E. Harness is a member of that church also. Mr. Harness is a 
wide-awake business man, and has the confidence and respect of all. 
William T. Harris, Pomeroy, Kas. Mr. Harris is one of the sub- 
stantial and progressive citizens of Pomeroy, and what he has accumu- 
lated is the result of hard work and economy since eleven years of age. 
He was born in Spartanburg County, S. C, in 1850, and was second 
in a family of sis children born to William and Martha Harris,inatives 
of South Carolina. At the early age of eleven years William T. was 
obliged to start out in life for himself, and as may be imagined, his 
educational advantages were not of the best. In 1870 he came to 



-' Is 



^ul 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 633 



Wyandotte County, and here he has since resided. He was married 
in 1875 to Miss Hesentine Turner, daughter of Thomas G. and Mary 
(Whorton) Turner, both natives of South Carolina. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Harris were born five children, who were named as follows: Bertha 
E., Myrtle E., Gracie L., Frank E. and Ross E. When Mr. Harris 
first came to Kansas he was but a boy, and although his educational 
advantages were not of the best, he read a great deal, observed more, 
and is to-day a well-informed man on almost any subject. He is a 
stanch Democrat in politics, and always exercises his franchise. He 
is active in all educational matters, and supports all worthy move- 
ments. He has held responsible positions in the township where he 
resides, and is at present clerk of the school board of Pomeroy, a 
genial, hospitable man and one meriting the esteem of all. 

Mark Harris, a member of Harris' well-known clothing house, at 
Kansas City, Kas. , is a young man of exceptionally fine business 
qualifications, and gives every promise of making a brilliant success 
of his life. He was born in Chicago, HI., in 1859, but when quite 
young was taken from that city and was reared principally in North- 
east Missouri. After reaching manhood he returned to his native city, 
and after following the occupation of a clothier there for about seven 
years he came directly to Kansas City, Kas. , and here established a 
clothing house, his establishment being opened to the public in 1885, 
first in one room. His business increased so rapidly that he soon 
found that one room was not sufficient to accommodate his business, 
and he had a wall removed, and now occupies No. 500 and 502 Min- 
nesota Avenue. He carries the largest stock of clothing in the city, and 
makes a specialty of gents' furnishing goods, and his house has 
achieved a wide celebrity as being one among the leaders of gentle- 
men's fashions in the place. The place is fitted up with neatness, and 
carefully arranged, and Mr. Harris is regarded as a thorough-going, 
enterprising business man, and a much- esteemed citizen. Employ- 
ment is given to six men. He was one of the organizers of the Elec- 
tric Light Company, of Kansas City, and is also a stockholder and 
vice-president of the same, being a stockholder in the Exchange Bank 
also. He is doing much for the city in which he lives, and in his 
business dealings he has been consistently honorable and upright, 
and he is one of the highly esteemed citizens of the place. 

E. Lee Harrison, superintendent of the store department of the 
Armour Packing Company, Kansas City. Beyond a doubt the warp 
and woof of life is made up of strands of good and evil fortune, 



\v 



44^^ — ^ -^ — ^^ 

634 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



here light, there dark, yet to him who regards it with Christian faith, 
it is a gladsome whole. Day after day the same ceaseless rouad of 
labor goes on, some giving attention to professional duties, some buy- 
ing and selling in commercial headquarters, and still others managing 
large business interests committed to their charge. To this latter 
class belongs Mr. Harrison, who for many years has held positions of 
trust, and always given thorough satisfaction. As storekeeper at 
Armour's, he has charge of a stock valued at over $30,000, and man- 
ages this large department so satisfactorily, that it has been under his 
charge for nearly five years. He has been in the employ of this firm 
since 1884, commencing as a special police, and afterward promoted 
to his present po.sition. Mr. Harrison's birth occurred near Clarks- 
ville, Tex., on June 2, 1863, and his parents were Benjamin Berry 
and Frances P. (Thomas) Harrison, natives of Missouri and Tennes- 
see, respectively. The father was, in his early life, a merchant in Leb- 
anon, Mo. , where he built the first store and hotel in that city. He 
called the embryo town Wyota, and afterward Lebanon. Here he ac- 
cumulated a tine fortune, which he lost during the war. He was born 
January 20, 1819, and died in his sixty-eighth year. The mother was 
born May 31, 1827, and at the present writing is still alive; she is a 
daughter of a prominent lawyer in Tennessee, and descendant of Gen. 
Proctor. The Harrison family, of which there are several members 
living in the twin Kansas Cities, is one of the oldest and most dis- 
tinguished in America. It sprang from some of the best blood in 
England, and has given to that country and America several of their 
most celebrated characters. John Benjamin and Thomas Harrison 
were sons of English nobility, and born in the town of Feuby, York- 
shire. John was born in 1693, and became a great inventor. Among 
his inventions were a chronometer and gridiron. He also invented the 
pendulum for clocks, for which the British crown paid him £20,000. 
He died in Ked Lion Square, London, in 1776. Benjamin Harrison 
was born in 1694. He had two sons: Benjamin and Robert. The 
former was the father of Hon. Benjamin Harrison, one of the signers 
of the Declaration of Independence, and who was the father of Gen. 
William Henry Harrison, President of the United States of America, 
who was grandfather of Hon. Benjamin Harrison, our present Presi- 
dent of the United States. Eobert Harrison was the father of Hon. 
Robert Harrison, the great jurist. Thomas, the younger brother of 
John and Benjamin Harrison, was born in 1695. He married Hannah 
Morrison, of England, by whom he had six sons: John, Benjamin, 



*:?1i 



-» 'V 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 635 



Thomas, Jr. , Samuel, Daniel and James, all of whom came to America 
after the death of their parents, and settled in Maryland. When the 
Revolutionary War began, they all enlisted in the American army, 
and John and Thomas were soon promoted, the former to the rank of 
captain, and the latter to that of colonel. The other four brothers 
were killed, and each left families, of which we have no account. 
Capt. John Harrison married a Miss Malone, of Maryland, and settled 
in Botetourt County, Va. He had six sons: Thomas, Samuel, John, 
Benjamin, Daniel and James. Col. Thomas Harrison never married. 
He was a shrewd business man, and made a great deal of money while 
in the army, most of which he invested in lands in the valley of Vir- 
ginia, and at his death left his property to his nephew, Thomas, son of 
Capt. John Harrison. This nephew married Miss Billops, of Virginia, 
they raised a large family and moved to Callaway County, Mo. Their 
eldest sons, James and John, enlisted in the War of 1812, and John 
was promoted to the rank of major. He moved with his brother James 
to Saline County, Mo., in 1817. James removed to Boone County in 
1819, where, in 1821, he married Rebecca Crockett. In 1830 he settled 
in Audrain County, and the following year was appointed presiding 
judge of the county court, by Gov. Boggs. He was justice of the 
peace for many years, and elected to the Legislature three times. He 
died in 1875, at the age of eighty years. John and Daniel, sons of 
Capt. John Harrison, of the Revolutionary War, married and settled 
in Alabama, and Samuel and Benjamin married and settled in Missis- 
sippi; their brother James married Lovisa Duncan, of South Carolina, 
and settled in Washington County, Mo., in 1819. Their children 
were John B. , Robert B., James Pryor, William D., Pamelia M. , 
Mariah, Benjamin Berry, Jackson, Polly and Thomas J. All were 
prominent citizens of Missouri, where they lived and died. Polly 
being the only survivor. She married Dr. J. H. Robertson, who was 
twice a member of the Legislature, and judge of Laclede County, Mo., 
where she now lives. John B. was a wealthy merchant at Lebanon. 
Robert B. was many years clerk of Pulaski County Courts. James P. 
was an M. D., and left a fortune to his only daughter, Laura. Thomas 
J. retained the old Harrison homestead and store at Arlington, and 
left a family and estate at his death; he was twice elected to the 
Legislature. Benjamin Berry first married Miss Dodson, by whom 
he had Lucie E., Lycurgus L. and James B. He next married Miss 
Thomas, by whom he had Robert T. , Penelope, John M. , Joseph E., 
E. Lee, Frank P., Ellen M. and Hugh. Lucie was the first child born 



-^ 



[V^ 



^ 



'^^ 



636 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



at Lebanon, and taught school many years. Lycurgus is a farmer. 
James B. is a lawyer and judge at Rolla. Robert S. is an M. D. and 
dentist at Iberia, and Frank was his partner in dentistry. John M. 
is a Christian minister. Joseph E. and Nellie are teachers at Iberia, 
where the mother still lives. All are living except Lucie, Penelope 
and Frank. Hugh is with Lee in the employ of the Armour Packing 
Company. Mr. Harrison, the subject of this sketch, reached his man- 
hood in Lebanon, where he received an academic education, and after 
completing his studies, engaged in teaching for two years in Saline 
County, Mo. After attending Commercial College in St. Louis, he 
commenced his business career as a telegraph operator and agent on 
the Iron Mountain Railroad. Coming to Kansas City, Mo. , he at- 
tended a course of lectures at the medical college, and continued read- 
ing medicine, even after accepting his present position. He is a 
member of the Democratic party, also a member of Kaw Lodge No. 
272, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a charter member. Mr. Har- 
rison married Miss Lizzie F. Vaughan, of Grand Pass, Mo. To their 
union have been born two children, viz. : William Harper and Lela 
Grace. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are identified with the Christian 
Church of this city, and are at all times interested in the aflFairs of the 
community in which they reside, and have so many warm personal 
friends. 

Patrick Harte is a native of Londonderry, Ireland, where he was 
born February 11, 1861, and is now foreman of the sheep department 
for the packing-house of Swift & Co., of Kansas City, Kas. His par- 
ents, William and Margaret (Dillon) Harte, were also born in the 
"Emerald Isle," and were there reared and married. At the age of 
ten years Patrick accompanied an uncle to America, and for some eight 
years he made his home with him in the city of St. Louis, Mo., his 
attention during this time being given to attending a private school 
and working in a slaughterhouse. At the age of eighteen years he 
came to Kansas City, Kas. , and for one year was employed by Atistin 
Davis and the Armour Packing Company, three months with the 
former and nine months with the latter, and during all this time had 
charge of the sheep department. In February, 1880, he went to 
Boston, Mass., where he spent four years in the Brighton Abitour, a 
large slaughtering concern, and during one of the four years he worked 
for Austin Davis, named above, whose home is in that city. For two 
years and a half he was with the Kelley Brothers, and six months in 
a slaughter-house owned by George Sawyer, of Brighton. The subse- 



Ml 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



637 



quent sis mouths were spent in a slaughter-house at Holden, Me., for 
Hollis & Co., then spent two months in New York for Eastman, an 
extensive shipper. At the end of this time he returned to Boston, and 
entered the employ of Abraham Gunsenheiser, and worked in a slaugh- 
ter-house with him for six months, after which he re-entered the em- 
ploy of George Sawyer, with whom he remained three months. He 
then came west, to East St. Louis, and for one year was foreman of 
the sheep department for the East St. Louis Dressed Beef Company, 
after which he went to Chicago, and was with Swift & Co. for cne 
year, returning at that time to New York, but only remained a short 
time. He next came to Kansas City, Kas., which was in October, 
1888, and has since been in the employ of Swift & Co., his services 
being employed in the sheep and calf department, of which he was 
made foreman in Jime, 1889. He is an honorable and upright young 
man, and being the possessor of many worthy characteristics, he is 
sure to make a success of his life. His marriage to Miss Agnes C. 
Butler took place November 29, 1888, she being a native and resident 
of St. Louis, Mo. They have one child, Marguerite (born October 
13, 1889). Mr. and Mrs. Harte are members of the Catholic Church. 
Stephen Hayes, one of the early settlers of the city of Argentine, 
and a prominent worker in the political field, was born on May 1, 1848, 
in the town and county of Tipperary, Ireland. He was the youngest 
son born to Martin and Margaret (Mahon) Hayes, natives of the same 
county and country. The father was in the transfer business, and 
carried this on in his native country until his death, in 1872, when 
sixty-four years of age. The mother died the same year, when sixty- 
three years of age. Stephen was given a good common-school educa- 
tion in the county of his birth, and when sixteen years of age, he emi- 
grated to the United States, landing in New York City. From there 
he went to Chicago, and not having learned a trade, he took the first 
job offered, and carried a hod for two years. After this he drove a 
team for W. J. Owen & Co., and remained with them over twelve 
years. In the spring of 1881 he came to Kansas City, Kas., and in 
the fall to Argentine, where he has since made his home. He em- 
barked in the mercantile business, and as a man of business is most 
favorably quoted in the community. He is energetic and thorough, 
is highly esteemed, and has been very successful. On September 10, 
1881, he was married to Miss Delia Winters in Chicago. She was 
born in Ireland, and died January 20, 1889. On January 9, 1890, he 
married Miss Mary Swarfield, native of Chicago, and of Irish parent- 



^^f- 



j!^i 




age. Mr. Hayes is a Democrat in his political views, and is one of the 
county's strongest supporters of that ticket. He and wife are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church. 

Herbert M. Herrold, Ph. G., is a prominent druggist and well- 
known citizen of Kansas City, Kas. He was born in Philadelphia, 
Penn., receiving the advantages of the public schools of that city. 
He was married there in 1887, his wife being at that time a student in 
the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, from which she gradu- 
ated as an M. D. in 1883. Shortly after graduating, she and her 
husband removed to Leavenworth, Kas., and there she began prac- 
ticing her profession, and her husband engaged in the drug busi- 
ness. In 1886 Mr. Herrold entered the Kansas State University at 
Lawrence, in which he completed a full course in pharmacy, graduat- 
ing in 1888. In the fall of that year, he and his wife removed to 
Kansas City, where the latter, who is known as Dr. Maude M. Herrold, 
has been an active and successful practitioner. She has become well 
known and popular, her practice, which is confined exclusively to ladies 
and children, is very large and lucrative. She has met with such em- 
inent success, that a brilliant career as a physician is before her. She 
has also been able to give special care to the health and moral culture 
of their child, Herschel, a bright, healthy, happy boy, eleven years of 
age. Since removing to Kansas City, Mr. Herrold has given his whole 
attention to the drug business, and in the spring of 1889 established 
the Model Pharmacy of James Street, which has since had the dis- 
tinction of being the finest drug store in that part of the city. He 
managed this establishment very successfully until the following Sep- 
tember, when, preferiing to locate in another part of the city, he sold 
out, and the following month, which was October, 1889, he and Mr. 
George A. Gamble opened a drug store at No. 1901 North Fifth Street, 
which is known as the Junction Pharmacy, one of the finest and hand- 
somest places of the kind in the city. Mr. Gamble being a stenogra- 
pher by profession, the entire care and management of the store has 
developed on Mr. Herrold, but he has conducted affairs in an admir- 
able manner, and has proved himself a courteous and accommodating 
gentleman. He is desirous of pleasing all, and the excellent patron- 
age he has acquired speaks louder than words can do, as to his success 
in this respect. He is now completing arrangements to establish an- 
other store at a point where the " L " road crosses Thirteenth Street, 
which will be known as the Valley Park Pharmacy, and which is being 
fitted and stocked in the most modern style. His partner in this latter 



SI 



'-^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



639 



enterprise is Dr. V. L. Todd, a youag physician of this city, who has 
recently graduated with honors from the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons of Baltimore, Md. Mr. Herrold is a member of the Kansas 
State Pharmaceutical Associatiou, also of the American Pharmaceutical 
Association. The fittings of the Junction Pharmacy are among the 
most tasteful in the city, and the stock consists of everything that can 
be found in a well-appointed drugstore. Mr. Herrold is a young man 
of excellent habits, and possesses in an eminent degree those qualities 
which go to make a successful business man. He and his wife are re- 
spected and esteemed by all who know them, and among their large 
circle of fi'iends they are deservedly popular. 

H. M. Herr is a native German, his birth occurring October 11, 
1S51, and he is the eldest son of Michael and Louisa (Puelhart) Herr, 
the former of whom is an extensive carriage builder of his native land 
— Germany. H. M. Herr, the immediate subject of this memoir, re- 
mained in the land of his birth until his seventeenth year, but prior 
to this devoted his time and attention to acquiring a good common- 
school education, and learning the carriage-maker's trade of his father. 
He came to the United States in 1809, landing at New York City, and 
afterward spent two years in Kochester, N. Y., where he followed his 
trade with Mainhard & Co., of that city. From this place he went to 
Stratford, Canada, to visit some relatives, but after a short time re- 
moved to Berlin, where he began learning the barber's trade, a call- 
ing he continued with George Debus for eighteen months, then began 
working at this trade on his own responsibility in Seaforth. Nine 
months later he went to Port Hope near Lake Ontario, where he re- 
mained for over four years. Going thence to Oshawa, Ontario, he had 
a barber shop and tobacco store for eighteen months, then returned to 
Rochester, N. Y., and the following nine months were spent in work- 
ing for a man named Miller. In 1881, hearing of the advantages of- 
fered in the West, he started for Kansas City, Mo. , but only remained 
there a short time, when he went to Rosendale, where he purchased a 
shop of a Mr. Higgins. Not liking this location, he after a residence 
there of nine months came to Argentine, Kas. , where he has since 
made his home and has gathered about him a host of friends. In 
18S-t he was elected police judge on the Citizens' ticket, a position he 
filled two years, at the end of which time he was elected justice of the 
peace, and has discharged the duties of this oflice up to the present 
date. The case of Brady, who was sent to the penitentiary for two 
years for assault with intent to kill, also John Stover for killing Ed 



M'- 



640 HISTOBY OF KANSAS. 



Mullen, and David Uffendell and Pat McTague for highway robbery, 
came up before him and numerous others, and up to January 1, 1891'. 
he had given judgment for 385 cases, only three of which were taken to 
the district court. He has proved an exceptionally efficient officer fiir 
he is possessed of far more than the average intelligence, and is strictly 
honorable and conscientious in the discharge of every duty. He was 
married on November 2, 1874, to Miss Louisa McCarty, a native of 
Canada, born March 10, 1857, a daughter of James and Margaret 
(Welsh) McCarty, natives of Cork, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Herr have 
three children: Flo.ssie (died in February, 1890, at the age of fourteen 
years), Carl Valentine and Frank Theodore. Mr. Herr has been a 
Democrat ever since comi ig to this country, and he has ever taken an 
active part in the county elections, being one of the leading members of 
his party. He is a member of the K. of L., in which he was master 
workman for three years, and during the smelters' strike in 18S7, which 
lasted for sixty days, he effected many compromises, which greatly 
benefited the employes. He was a member of Cincinnati Lodge No. 
91, of the K. of P., and the L O. O. F., holding his membership in Can- 
ada. He also took one degree in the A. F. & A. M. , and in the Ger- 
man Sick Benefit Association of Argentine. In 1886 and 1887 he was 
appointed deputy United States marshal under Maj. Jones. 

Andrew Hescher, manufacturer of cigars, Kansas City, Kas. Among 
the enterprising business establishments of this city, whose operations 
are worthy of record in a work devoted to the interests of Wyandotte 
County, is that of Mr. Andrew Hescher, manufacturer of line cigars. He 
has been established in this city since 1870, and is doing a large busi- 
ness in local trade. He makes a specialty of five and ten cent 
cigars, and during the late months he employed three men, making, on 
an average, 25,000 per month. .In consequence of the excellent and 
standard quality of the cigars here prepared, Mr. Hescher has es- 
tablished a good trade. He came to Kansas City, Kas., from West 
Baden, Germany, where his birth occurred on March 8, 1840, and is 
a son of Henry and Mary (Sack) Hescher, both natives of Germany. 
The father followed the occupation of a harness-maker, at which he 
made quite a fortune. He died in 1849, at the age of forty-five. The 
mother came to this city with her sons, and made her home with Andrew 
until her death, which occurred in 1880, at the age of seventy-three 
years. There were ten children in the family, Andrew being seventh 
in order of birth. He and his brother Philip came here together, and 
the latter died in 1883. Now only Andrew and his brother Henry are 



^-^ 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 641 



residing in this county. The former was reared to manhood in his 
native country, and was married there in 1805, to Miss Helena Sharp, 
a native of Germany. They became the parents of nine children, one 
dying in infancy. Those living are Julius, Helena, Anna, Ateladt, 
Louise, Henry, Charles and Lotta. The two eldest were born in Ger- 
many. Mr. Hescher served six months in the German army before he 
left his country. He received a good German education, and is a man 
well posted on all the current topics of the day. He is a non-partisan 
in politics, and supports enterprises that will benefit his city or county. 
He is a member of the K. of P., Fellowship Lodge No. 41, and is also 
a member of the German L O. O. F. 

L. P. Hewitt is a successful small-fruit-grower of Wyandotte 
County, Kas., and also makes a specialty of raising early potatoes, 
thirty-live acres being annually devoted to their propagation. Seven 
acres are given to the raising of the Capt. Jack and Crescent Seedling 
raspberries, three acres to strawberries, and also has 700 apple trees, 
the most of which are the Ben Davis, although he raises the Early 
Harvest and Maiden Blush for summer use. He also has one hundred 
Wild Goose plum trees and fifty trees of Black Murrillo cherries. He 
was born in Steuben County, N. Y., February 27, 1847, while his 
mother was on a visit to relatives in that State, otherwise he would have 
been the first white child born in Wyandotte County, Kas. He is the 
youngest living of a family of seven children born to Kichard and Han- 
nah (Parker) Hewitt, natives of Ohio and New York, respectively, and 
in this and Jackson County, Mo., he was reared to manhood. His 
father was connected with the agency of the Wyandotte Indians, and 
in 1845 came West, spending the rest of his days in this and Jackson 
County, dying in 1879. He was a practicing physician throughout life 
and was very successful. L. P. Hewitt, the subject of this sketch, 
was married in 1871 to Miss Rebecca J. Hawkins, a daughter of David 
and Hannah Hawkins, natives of the Blue-Grass State and Virginia, 
respectively. He and his wife became the parents of seven children: 
William, Frank, Warren M., May, Ida, Luella and Alma D. Mr. 
Hewitt is a member and treasurer of the Farmers' Alliance, and in his 
political views is a Democrat, holding the office of school director in 
his district. He is an honorable, upright citizen, and has long been 
an earnest member of the Baptist Church. His brothers and sisters 
are as follows: Eldridge E., Jane A. (wife of Cyrus Austin, of Califor- 
nia), Richard, Louisa (wife of Charles Lovelace), Rozie (wife of War- 
ren Lindsay), and Experience (wife of William Rice). 



-®(^ 



^^ — ^ ^ — ^ \4^ 

642 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



J. B. Hippie was born at Lancaster, Penn., February 3, 1857. He 
was educated in the public schools of that county, and farmed and 
taught school himself for six successive years, abandoning the pro- 
fession when he was principal of one of the soldiers' orphan schools of 
the State. Then he became a member of the editorial stafP of the Daily 
Lancaster Examiner. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Hippie resigned his 
position, and established the Sun at Manheim, Penn. At the solicita- 
tion of friends in Kansas City, Kas., Mr. Hippie came West, and in 
August, 1889, started the Weekly Press, a newspaper which has been 
a paying enterprise from the start. 

Thomas J. Hinton, the subject of the present sketch, has been very 
successful through life, being the happy possessor of both energy and 
perseverance, two traits that united in the same person can not fail to 
bring about a good result. From early childhood he has had a strong 
tendency toward the occupation of a mechanic, and after thirty years 
of active experience, and having learned it thoroughly under H. B. 
and J. J. Eobinson, Fulton Street, New York, is well qualified to fill 
any position in his line of work most satisfactorily. He is at the 
present writing in the employ of the Armour Packing House, being 
foreman of the cooper department in their mammoth establishment in 
Kansas City, Kas. Previously to accepting this position, he held a 
similar one with J. S. Ward, in Brooklyn, N. Y. , for over nineteen 
years, but concluded to follow Horace Greeley's advice, and camo 
West to grow up with the country. Throiigh the past few years this 
city has made truly wonderful progress, and is generally conceded to 
be most enterprising and thrifty. Mr. Hinton' s birth occurred in 
Canada, during the year 1841, but while still a child of seven sum- 
mers, he moved with his parents to New York City, and continued to 
make his home in that city and in Brooklyn until 1882. In the year 
1861, when Abe Lincoln called for the first 75,000 men, he was one 
of the first to respond. The position he holds with Armour is a re- 
sponsible one, he being in charge of fifty-two men, and turning out 
from 1,200 to 1,500 packages daily. On January 8, 1863, Mr. Hin- 
ton was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Brennan, who, like 
himself, came from the East, having been born in New York City. 
Their union has been blessed with one child, viz., Emily. As a 
public-spirited man, and a wide awake, progressive business man, the 
subject of this sketch has made numerous warm friends, both among 
his associates in the mercantile world, and in social circles. 

Hon. R. W. Hilliker, is a native of the " Empire State," and like 



^IV 



^: 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 643 



all New Yorkers he possesses many sterling business, as well as social 
traits of character. He was born in Datchess County, April 7, 1830, 
his parents, Henry I. and Tina (Syble) Hilliker, being born there and 
in Germany, respectively. The subject of this sketch was left mother- 
less when he was a small lad, and at the age of seven years he accom- 
panied his father to Oxford County, Upper Canada, and there he was 
reared to manhood, educated, and learned the carriage-maker's trade, 
which he successfully conducted for several years. In 1860 he re- 
turned to the United States, and after following the calling of a rail- 
road contractor for several years in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, 
he, in 1865, came West and located in Kansas City, Mo. , continuing 
the same occupation there. He became a member of a firm which 
erected over 4,000 buildings in that city, and this firm at one time 
employed over 200 men. In 1881 he engaged in the loan and bank- 
ing business in Kansas City, Kas., and when the Central Bank of this 
place was organized in 1884, he was made its cashier, a position he 
has held ever since. In 1883 he was elected mayor of Kansas City, 
serving one term, and he was one of the men who set the movement 
going which led to the consolidation of the three cities in 1886. 
While tilling the position of mayor, he was instrumental in having the 
James Street viaduct erected. In short, it may be said, that there has 
not been a single public improvement either in Kansas City, Kas., or 
Kansas City, Mo., daring the past quarter of a century in which he 
has not been conspicuously identiiied. While a resident of the latter 
place he served as a member of the citj' council several years, and for 
two years was chairman of the committee of public works. He has been 
police commissioner of Kansas City, Kas., for three years, and his whole 
aim and entire energies have been bent upon the improvement of the 
two cities. He is a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and while 
he has never sought political honors, he has frequently been importuned 
to accept nominations at his party's hands to some of the choicest posi- 
tions within its power to grant. In 1885 his friends set on foot a move- 
ment which came within nine votes of nominating him for Congress, 
of a convention of the Second District of Kansas. He is one of the 
most distinguished citizens in this section of the State, and especially 
in the city in which he resides, and is at present president of the city 
council, being a member from the Fifth Ward. His first wife was 
Miss Sarah A. Durkee, whom he married on October 9, 1850, but she 
was called from the scene of her earthly labors September 16, 1873, 
leaving a family of three sons and three daughters to mourn their loss. 



Til 



^ 






64i HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



On December 24, 1886, he was married to his present wife, Miss 
Martha W. GrifiSn, of Kansas City, Kas. 

AVilliam J. Hill is the efHcieut chief of the iire department of Kan- 
sas City, Kas., but was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., December 24, 1844, 
a son of John and Elizabeth E. (Chambers) Hill, the former of whom 
was born in Ireland, and the latter in Beaver County, Penn. The 
father came to America and was married here to Miss Chambers, 
and by her became the father of nine children: Jennie, William J. and 
David R. (twins), Mary C, Belle and Edith H. , who are living, and 
Alexander, Elgen and Hazel, who are deceased. The father passed to 
his long home in 1885, but the mother is still living, and resides in 
New Castle, Penn. William J. Hill removed with his parents from 
New Castle to Pittsburgh, when he was ten years of age, and in early 
manhood, he learned the trade of a machinist and engineer, and the 
pursuit of that calling received his attention until 1876. He was mar- 
ried in New Castle, Penn., to Miss Emma C. Kennedy, who was 
born in St. Louis, Mo., a daughter of James and Anna (Kirkpatrick) 
Kennedy, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, and the 
latter in Iowa. In 1873 Mr. Hill came with his family to Kansas 
City, Mo., and in the spring of 1875 he returned to his native 
State and there remained two years, when he again decided to 
come West. This time he located in Kansas City, Kas., and here, 
in 1884, was made chief of the iire department in Old Kansas 
City, a position he held for two years. He then resigned and re- 
sumed his trade, and in 1887 superintended the construction of the 
waterworks building at Kinsley, Kas. During the year 1888 he acted 
as collecter for the isacking firm of George Fowler & Son, and in June, 
1889, made chief of the fire department in Kansas City, Kas., and is 
now tilling that position in a very creditable and acceptable manner. 
As a fireman he is thoroughly familiar with every feature and branch 
of the business, having followed it more or less for eighteen years, 
and he is the inventor of several different contrivances and appliances 
for the use of firemen, upon five of which he has received patents: A 
patent cellar nozzle, a patent sheet nozzle, a combination water tower, 
a harness hanger and a combination nozzle. Under his able manage- 
ment the service has greatly improved, and it is now in perfect 
working order in all its departments. It consists of twenty- four men, 
and eight others will soon be added. He and his wife are the parents 
of four children: Mabel, Percy J., Frederick W. and Carrie, who died 
when about four months old. Mr. Hill is a member of the K. of P. 



-k. 



^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 645 



and the A. O. U. W. During the Rebellion, in 1864, he served for 
nine months as a member of Company E, Fifty fifth Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteer Infantry. 

Dr. Russell Hill, physician and coroner, Armourdale, Kas. This 
successful practitioner owes his nativity to Philadelphia, Penn., his 
birth occurring on February 22, 1858, and is a son of Joseph and 
Mary (Singer) Hill, the father a native of England and the mother of 
the Keystone State. The father was but six years of age vrhen he 
emigrated vrith his parents to the United States. They located in 
Philadelphia, and there he grew to manhood, receiving a liberal edu- 
cation in the schools of that city. Joseph Hill was a cotton and 
woolen manufacturer in Philadelphia and carried on an extensive busi- 
ness, being unusually successful. He died in that city, but the mother 
is still living and makes her home there. She is seventy-six years of 
age and is still quite active. The father was a member of the com- 
mon council of Philadelphia, and held several other important offices. 
To his marriage were born ten children, eight now living, of whom 
our subject is third youngest. The latter passed his boyhood and 
youth in the city, receiving a good education, and was around his 
father's factory until about sixteen years of age. He then began the 
study of medicine, attended the Academy of Natural Science of 
Philadelphia, and later, or in 1880, entered the Jefferson Medical 
School, graduating from the same in the class of 1882-83. He 
began practicing at Jenkintown, Penn., near Philadelphia, and in the 
fall of 1883 he came West, locating at Armstrong, now Kansas City, 
Kas., where he has since been in practice. He now resides in Ar- 
mourdale and has a large and rapidly increasing practice, being classed 
a No. 1 physician. He was elected coroner in 1889, and is a member 
of the staff of St. Margaret's Hospital. He was at one time in the 
Government geological surveys of States and Territories. He is a mem 
ber of the East Kansas Medical Society. He was married, in February, 
1886, to Miss Agnes G. Fulton, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and they 
have two children: Frank and Margaret. The Doctor is a member of 
the K. of P. and the A. O. U. W. 

Henry T. Hoffman (deceased). Mr. Hoffman was one of the early 
settlers of Shawnee Township, and a man universally respected and 
esteemed. He was born in Maryland on June 4, 1828, and was the 
third of four children liorn to Daniel and Mary (Picken) Hoffman, na- 
tives also of Maryland. The father attained his growth in his native 
State, followed the occupation of a farmer, but in 1831 he emigrated 



I^ s r- —I » " 

T 



646 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



to Ohio where he received his final summons. There the mother died 
also. Henry T. was reared in this State, and like his father tilled the 
soil. In 1867 he left Ohio, emigrated West and settled on a farm now 
owned by his widow, and near where he met his death on May 28, 
1868. While swimming in the Kansas Eiver, was taken with the cramps, 
and before assistance could arrive he was drowned. He was a man 
respected and esteemed by all acquainted with him, and his death was 
the occasion of universal sorrow. He was married in 1850 to Miss Mary 
Sigler, a native of Boss County, Ohio, born on August 22, 1826, and 
the daughter of John and Amelia (Bogard) Sigler. She came with her 
husband on his western trip and has remained here caring for the chil- 
dren until they are now able to take care of themselves. She has at- 
tended to the farm of 100 acres, has made many improvements, and 
now has an excellent farm. The bottom land is rented out to corn and 
potato growers, and the blufF has on it 175 apple trees, 50 peach 
trees, a few plums, and a number of cherries, and has all the best 
varieties of each. She also has about two acres in blackberries and 
the rest in pasture and timber. Mrs. Hoffman bore her husband three 
children: Florence (wife of Samuel Beattie), Albert C. and Alice 
(deceased). Albert C, the only son, has managed the farm for his 
mother and has been successful. He is enterprising and industrious, 
is posted in the affairs of everyday life, and a man of true worth and 
ability in this community. In politics he is a Democrat, and socially 
he is a member of the Alliance and the Horse League. He was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church. 

Edward Hollecker resides within one mile and a half of the city 
limits of Kansas City, Kas., and is a practical horticulturist. He was 
born in Kansas City, Mo., November 11, 1862, and was the third of a 
family of nine children, four of whom are living: Caroline (resides in 
Kansas City, Mo., and is the wife of Herman Long, who is a con- 
tractor and builder), John (resides in Kansas City, Mo., and is a plas- 
terer by trade), and William (who is the youngest of the family and 
who resides in Kansas City, Mo.). The father was a native of the 
province of Alsace, Germany, and the mother was born in Hesse- 
Darmstadt. She died July 1, 1890. Edward Hollecker received a 
good education in the schools of Kansas City, Mo., and this has fitted 
him for the practical life he leads. He began for himself when 
twenty-four years of age without a dollar, and emigrated to Wyan- 
dotte County, Kas. , in 1874, when the country was new and unsettled. 
There he was married January 28, 1885, to Miss Mary Gellhonson, a 



__ Is 



^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 647 



native of Germany, born July 28, 1863. She was educated in the 
common schools of Kansas, and is a lady of refinement and culture. 
Their union has been blessed by the birth of two living children, a 
son and daughter, Eddie, four years of age, and Minnie, one year of 
age. They lost one daughter, Caroline, at the age of three years. 
Mr. Hollecker has adhered closely to the Democratic party, and 
his tirst presidential vote was for Gen. W. Hancock. He has ever 
been a strict partisan, and has always aimed to support men of prin- 
ciple and honor. He has been a delegate to his county convention at 
difFerent times, and is now a delegate. He has been tendered offices 
in his township, but has modestly declined each and every one. He 
and Mrs. Hollecker are members of the German Catholic Church, and 
have always contributed to all worthy movements. When he first 
came to this county Mr. Hollecker found that real estate was worth 
$50 per acre. He is now the owner of twenty acres of the most val- 
uable land in the vicinity of Kansas City, Kas. At one time, during 
the boom of 1885, Mr. Hollecker's mother was offered $1,800 per acre, 
and Mr. Hollecker would not sell for less, and in fact does not care to 
sell at all. Every foot of it is cultivated, and their tine residence, good 
outbuildings, etc. , make a valuable and pleasant home. Mr. Hollecker 
raises the following kinds of fruits: Apple, cherry, j)each, raspberries, 
strawberries and different varieties of grapes. He and Mrs. Hollecker 
are comfortably fixed, and surrounded by their many kind friends and 
neighbors will make their future home here. Mrs. Mary Hollecker 
(deceased), mother of our subject, was the wife of Gall Hollecker, and 
first located in Wyandotte County, Kas., in 1874. She purchased the 
present farm of twenty acres, and on the old homestead she passed the 
remainder of her days. Her farm was very valuable, as is mentioned 
before she refused $1,800 per acre for it. She was afflicted with liver 
trouble in the month of April, and after severe suffering she passed 
away July 1, 1890. Her remains are interred in Quindaro Cemetery, 
where a beautiful monument rests at her head, sacred to her memory, 
erected by her loving children. Mrs. Hollecker was a grand and 
noble woman, and one who was held in the highest respect by her 
children and her many warm friends. Her presence will be missed in 
social gatherings as well as the family circle. 

Henry G. Hollox, farmer and fruit-grower, Vance, Kas. Mr. Hollox 
is another old resident of the county, having made his advent here 
from Davenport, Iowa, in 1866, twenty- four years ago, and located 
where he now lives, on thirty-three and one-third acres of land, when 




ll^ 



there were but few acres under cultivation. The land is divided as fol- 
lows: ten acres in apple, four acres in peach trees, two in blackberries, 
one of raspberries and one of grapes. The remainder is principally in 
grass. Mr. Hollox has resided ever since on this place. He was born in 
Norfolk, England, on October 13, 1831, and is a son of John Hollox, a 
farmer, who came with his family to America in 1841 or 1842, and 
located in Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained about fifteen years. 
Later he engaged in market gardening, and in 1856 moved to Daven- 
port, Iowa, buying a farm ten miles out from the city, where he en- 
gaged in tilling the soil. There his death occurred in 1866. His 
widow survived him until 1888, her death occurring at her son' s. They 
reared a family of four children — two sons and two daughters — Henry 
G. the only one now living. The latter was quite young when his 
father left England, and was the recipient of a good common-school 
education, attending the high school in Cleveland. He then left school 
to assist at home, and later clerked for some time in a store in Cleve- 
land. He then went to Davenport, Iowa, continued agricultural pur- 
suits, but just before leaving Cleveland he was married to Miss Ellen 
S. Akins, who bore him eight children — six sons and two daughters — 
only two now living: Jonathan (married and resides with his father), 
and Erminie. Mr. Hollox resided for about ten years in Iowa, and 
then, thinking that the new State of Kansas afforded better inducements 
for money making, he came here. Politically he is a Republican, but 
is not an active party worker, but finds jslenty to claim his attention at 
home. 

W. H. Hooker, fruit-grower and farmer, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. 
Hooker, who is numbered among the substantial and representative 
citizens of eastern birth in Wyandotte County, came originally from 
New York State, where his birth occurred on August 1, 1822, and is 
the son of Chillis Hooker, who was a native of Massachusetts, and a 
miller by trade. The latter reared a family of five children, of whom 
W. H. is second in order of birth, and he was called into service at 
one time during the War of 1812, but ere reaching the scenes of war 
was discharged, peace being declared. W. H. Hooker reached man- 
hood in his native State, attended the common schools, learned the 
same trade of his father, and when about twenty years of age, his 
father having sold out, he came with the latter to Winnebago County, 
settled, and turned his attention to farming. There the father died 
at the age of fifty-three years. His widow survived him until 1889, 
having lived to the ripe old age of ninety-three years, and they lie 







side by side in the cemetery at Eoekton. W. H. Hooker remained at 
home until about twenty years of age, as above stated, and then went 
to Jackson County, Iowa, where he engaged in the milling business. 
There he resided until the last year of the war, after which he went to 
Illinois and there remained for three years. In 1867 he came to Wy- 
andotte, made his home there until 1878, and then he moved on the 
place where he now resides, consisting of about fifty acres. He was 
married in Illinois in January, 1852, to Miss Lydia W. Baron, and 
they have four children, all dau^ghters: I. D. (widow of Judge Stough- 
ton, and now resides in Kansas City, Kas.), Clara (wife of H. L. Judd, 
resides also in Kansas City, Kas.), Mary E. (resides at home), and Fan- 
nie M. (wife of J. K. Goodwin, resides in Clinton, Iowa). Aside from 
his farm Mr. Hooker is also the owner of considerable property in 
Kansas City, Kas. In politics he is a Republican, and socially he is 
a member of the I. O. O. F. 

Christian F. Horstman, farmer and gardener, Kansas City, Kas. 
It is owing entirely to the industrious and persevering manner with 
which Mr. Horstman has adhered to his present occupation that he 
has risen to such a substantial position in farm affairs in this county. 
Born in Prussia, May 16, 1841, he is the son of Christopher 
and Anna Maria Elizabeth (Von Behren) Horstman, natives, also, 
of that country. Their family consisted of five children — two 
.sons and three daughters — all, excejit one brother, Louis Albert, 
now residing in this township. He is living in Olathe, Kas. In 
185i the father moved his family to America, led by the de- 
sire to increase his worldly goods, and to make a better home for 
his children. He left the land of his birth, all the old associa- 
tions, and landed in New Orleans early in the summer of 1854. He 
then came by river to Cincinnati, Ohio, resided there three years, and 
then carried on agriculture, within nine miles of that city, for six years. 
Later he went to Decatur County, Ind. , near Greensburg, and there 
with his son. Christian, bought eighty acres of land. After residing 
there for about four years and a half, he sold out and came to Kansas, 
in 1871, our subject having preceded him by about a year and a half. 
That fall he had the misfortune to lose his wife, and he afterward 
resided with his son. In 1875 Christian F. purchased fifty acres of 
land, and in the spring of 1877 he moved on the farm. Here the 
father's death occurred, in Jiine, 1880. Christian F. Horstman was 
married, in 1869, to Miss Mary Jansen, a daughter of William and 
Mary Jansen, early settlers of this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Horst- 



l^ 



Ai 



650 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



man were bora nine children: Mary (wife of Charles Sorter, a son of 
Elisha Sorter, who was one of the old settlers), Louise, Ida, Cather- 
ine, Rose, William, Henry, Ernest Edwin and Alfred Newton, all 
of whom are living, except Ernest E. , who died December 7, 1886. 
Mr. Horstman is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is now 
serving his fifth term of townshij) trustee, and in politics is a Re- 
publican. 

George U. S. Hovey, postmaster, general merchant and farmer of 
White Church, Wyandotte County, Kas., owes his nativity to Ulster 
County, N. Y., his birth occurring on July 19, 1842, and is now one 
of the representative men and prominent citizens of his adopted county. 
He was the eldest of three children born to Alfred and Elizabeth (Un- 
derhill) Hovey, natives of England and New York, respectively. Mrs. 
Hovey was a direct descendant of old Capt. John Underbill, who made 
a record in the old country as a soldier about the time of the Pilgrims. 
He assisted in the Indian wars of his time, and finally moved to New 
York, settling with the Dutch in that State. Alfred Hovey moved to 
New York City, where his children graduated in the high schools, and 
finished their education in Elmville Seminary. About 1859 Mrs. Ho- 
vey died of consumption, and after this our subject, becoming desirous 
of viewing the West, boarded a steamer and landed in San Francisco 
in the fall of 1863, where he remained for seven years, engaged in 
different mercantile pursuits. Then becoming tired of the extreme 
west, he returned to his home in New York, where he remained for a 
year or so, and then followed his brother's example in 1870, by emi- 
grating to Kansas. Here he has since remained, and has endured the 
many privations and hardships incident to pioneer life. He has been 
prominent in the development of the county for the last eighteen years, 
twelve years of which time he served as justice of the peace, and six 
years as county commissioner, holding the position of chairman of that 
body for five years. During that time the county made some rapid 
and important strides, among the most important being the grading 
of all roads at a cost of $500,000; the introduction of iron bridges and 
stone culverts, the cost of which amounted to 1270,000; the erection 
of the new sheriff's residence and jail, improvements that were made on 
the court-house, the erection of a fire-proof vault for the county rec- 
ords, and the erection of the county poorhouse, which is a fine struct- 
ure. Mr. Hovey was instrumental in carrying the bonds which 
brought the North- Western road through, and was also one of the 
originators of the town known as White Church, of which he is the 



l!^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



651 



postmaster. He has built a handsome residence and ojood store-rooms, 
is also the owner of 135 acres of land, and is one of the representative 
citizens of the West. He is a stanch Eepublican in his political 
views, is quite prominent in politics, and is a power at the polls. He 
is president of White Church Alliance, and is treasurer of the County 
Alliance, and is a member of White Church, Delaware Lodge No. 96, 
A. F. & A. M. , of which he is treasurer. He was married on Febru- 
ary 10,1870, to Miss Ella Jane Jones, a native of New York City, born 
November 24, 1843, and the adopted daughter of John P. Jones. 
Eight children were born to this union, the following being the only 
ones now alive: Ella Jane (bjrn November '21, 1870), John P. J. 
(born September 24, 1872), Josephine B. (born September 28, 1876), 
Anna L. (born June 6. 1879), A. Clement (bora April 15, 1882), and 
Mr. Hovey is the guardian of his brother Andy's son, George C, whose 
birth occurred on October 25, 1882. 

Charles E. and Frank P. Howard, dairymen, Kansas City, Kas. 
These brothers are substantial, enterprising and progressive young 
men, and are among the successful business men of the county. They 
started in their present business in 1887, and are now running two 
vyagons in Kansas City, Kas., and Kansas City, Mo. They are the 
owners of forty cows, mixed stock, and have some very tine Jersey and 
Holstein cows, among them. Charles E. Howard has charge of the 
route, and Frank P. does the feeding and milking. Charles E. was born 
in Syracuse, N. Y. , December 17, 1860, and Frank P. owes his nativ- 
ity to Fond du Lac, Wis., where his birth occurred September 1, 
1864. The parents, Cyrus and Celia (Fitch) Howard, were natives of 
New York, and both died in Fond du Lac, Wis., the father in 1876, 
at the age of forty-five years, and the mother in 1880, when forty 
years of age. The former was a farmer by occupation, and moved 
from New York to Wisconsin, in 1872. There, in connection with 
agricultural pursuits, he cajried on stock-raising. He was of English 
descent. Both Charles E. and Frank P. were educated in Wisconsin, 
and the former begaa farming for himself after the death of the father. 
At the age of eighteen year.s he went to Stutsman County, N. 
Dak. , on the Northern Pacific Railroad, where he entered land, and 
began tilling the soil. This he continued until 1886, and then came 
to Kansas City, Kas., and he and his brother embarked in the dairy 
business. They started without means, but with their energy and 
push have accomplished much, and now have a prosperous business. 
They reside at Twelfth and Washington Streets, and their farm. 



•L^ 




which they rent, and which consists of eighty acres, is managed by D. 
S. Young. In politics the brothers differ, Charles E. affiliating with 
the Democratic, and Frank P. with the Republican party. 

W. J. Huffaker, fruit-grower, Quindaro, Kas. Mr. HufPaker was 
born near Jacksonville, Morgan County, 111., on November 11, 1835, 
to the marriage of Jacob M. and Elizabeth Huffaker. The father was 
born in Wayne County, Ky., his father was born in Virginia, and his 
grandfather was among the first settlers of Jamestown, Va. At the 
early age of eighteen, W. J. Huffaker moved with his father into 
Texas, in the year 1854. Four years after, he went to the mountains 
to improve his health and purse; at Pike's Peak he concluded to go to 
California. Arriving at Salt Lake City, he met with some Mormon 
relatives, who persiiaded him to stay for a season. Eemaining in the 
mountains for nearly four years, he returned with his father, who was 
coming from Colorado, where he had been to examine the country. 
While traveling around through Kansas, in order to view the prospects 
for a home, they stopped a few days at Lawrence (soon after the 
Qnantrell raid), where information came to them that they must not 
leave the city without the consent of the authorities. After several 
days the chief of police appeared and asked if some authentic paper 
could be shown that would indicate that the Huffaker' s were not from 
Missouri. Finally there was found a demit from a Masonic lodge at 
Sherman, Tex., when they were dismissed without prejudice. The 
father, Jacob M. , after two years, went home to Texas, where he soon 
after died. W. J., the subject of this sketch, settled in Wyandotte 
County, in the year 1863, joined the Kansas State Militia, and was 
commissioned first lieutenant, but on account of the captain being de- 
tailed for another post, he was compelled to command the company 
against old " Paja " Price, as he was usually called in the West. Mr. 
Huffaker and his company were placed on post of honor to guard the 
right of the Leavenworth battery. His firet business engagement was 
keeping a boarding-house on the first forty miles of railroad built in 
Kansas. He then engaged in the manufacture of brick, in the then 
city of Wyandotte (now Kansas City, Kas.), but the place being too 
young to support a brick-yard, he afterward bought land in Quindaro, 
and went into horticultural pursuits, combined with a grocery and 
dry-goods store, and was also postmaster under Grant's administration. 
Mr. Huffaker was married in 1868, to Miss Jennie Seales, who bore 
him five children, two of whom only are now living: Nellie W. and 
Leroy Harper. Of the other children two died in infancy, and one. 



Frank T., at the age of seveuteen years. Mr. Huffaker is a Master 
Mason and a member of the Christian Church. la politics he is a 
stanch Republican. 

Harvey G. Hughes, horticulturist, Kosedale, Kas. Mr. Hughes, 
one of the leading fruit men of the West, has been a resident of 
Wyandotte County since 1875, and was engaged in the nursery busi- 
ness and the growing of small fruits up to 1889. Mr. Hughes 
makes a specialty of growing fruit, and had twenty acres devoted to 
that particular line. From 1875 to 1879 he was in the employ of 
Anthony Sauer, now deceased, who was the owner of a green-house— 
one of the largest west of St. Louis -consisting of sis houses, with over 
5.000 feet of glass. Mr. Hughes was manager of this green -house for 
three years, after which he started out in business for himself, con- 
tracting with his employer for forty acres of land, with only his hands 
and a good reputation to pay for it. He kept oaly twenty acres (the 
other twenty going back to the former owner), but this he set in fruit, 
later sold one-half of it, and has now only ten acres, which is all in fruit. 
Of apples he has planted thirty varieties, but for commercial purposes 
would only plant a few varieties, selecting the Ben Davis, Jonathan, 
Willow Twig, Winesap and Missouri Pippin. In peaches he has over 
thirty varieties, but would not plant so many again. In cherries the 
Early Richmond, Ostime and English Murillo, are the most profitable. 
The sweet cherry will not do well in the western country. Pears he 
does not consider a profitable fruit for Kansas. In raspberries, he 
has the Gregg. Souhegan, Hopkins and Shafer's Collosial. Snyder is 
the reliable blackberry with him. In strawberries, out of the many 
varieties, he has selected. Crescent, Downing, Wilson, Capt. Jack, 
Jessie and Bubach, as the best all-around berries. Mr. Hughes con- 
siders Wyandotte County adapted to fruit, especially the grape, and 
the best county in the State owing to the good market, having a good 
market in the two Kansas Cities. Mr. Hughes was born in Delphi, Carroll 
County Ind., on July 7, 1853, and is the third in a family of eleven 
children, born to Thomas C. and Harriet (Knight) Hughes. His 
father, a native of that State, was born in 1812; he was a carpenter by 
trade and erected some of the important buildings in Delphi. The 
mother was born in Ohio in 182(3, and was reared in Delphi, Ind. Our 
subject remained in his native State until sixteen years of age, and 
then came to Independence, Mo., in 1869, and in the following April 
he went to Lees Summit, where he worked for Blair Bros., nursery- 
men doinc^ their first planting. He remained with this firm for five 



Vi« — ^ 




^•Vl' 



654 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



years, or until 1874, when he came to this county and worked for Mr. 
Sauer until 1879, after which he started out for himself. Since the 
sale of jDart of his land, he has purchased eighty acres within twenty 
miles of Kansas City, in Johnson County, and intends making a fruit 
farm of this. "While at Lees Summit he paid particular attention to 
budding and grafting, making the best record of such ever known in 
the State. He is a member of the Missouri Valley Horticulture 
Society, and is an ardent supporter of political reform, but never 
aspires to office. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. 

John A. Hurley was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1S61, being the son 
of Henry and Eosanna Hurley, who were also natives of that State. 
The father was engaged in the rolling-mills, and possesses quite a con- 
siderable amount of mechanical genius that the son undoubtedly in- 
herits. In the year 1884 he married Miss Mary McCarty, whose birth 
occurred in Pennsylvania, and their union has been blessed with three 
children, viz. : James, Elizabeth and John. Mr. Hurley takes an active 
part in politics, voting at the local elections for "the best man," and 
the one he believes most capable to fill the desired office. He is 
thoroughly enterprising and industrious, as is clearly proven by his 
success in mercantile circles and the confidence he has won. At pres- 
ent he is employed as chief engineer in Engine House No. 3, at Ar- 
mour's Packing House, in this city. He commenced working for said 
firm in 1881, as a steam-fitter, and such was his faithfulness and abil- 
ity that he was advanced to his present responsible position in 1885, 
having in the meantime studied the construction of engines in the 
machine shops. He is able to repair any part of the machinerj' of 
which he has charge, some of the engines being the largest in the 
world, and several of them being built at a cost of $25,000. Kansas 
City has made long strides in progress during the last few years, and 
is generally conceded to be both a large business center and a most 
desirable place of residence. The world is so crowded with people 
ready and waiting to embrace every passing opportuuity for money- 
making that to fill and hold a desirable position is a real compliment 
to a man, and one of which he may be justly proud. There is no 
class of men to whom, as a nation, we are more indebted for satis- 
factory results than to those capable of managing a large department. 

James D. Husted. Mention of James D. Husted deserves a conspicu- 
ous place in this work among the histories of those who have brought 
Kansas City, Kas. , to that commercial position to which it has attained 
as the metropolis of the State, famous the world over for the energy 



^^ 



'!}^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 655 



and business activity of its people. Born in Clarksfield, Huron County, 
Ohio, September 20. 1857, be was educated in the district schools of 
his native town, and afterward learned practical telegraphy, and as an 
operator and dispatcher vyas employed for several years in railroad 
work. He earned and received successive promotions, and at length 
was placed in charge of the supply department of the Kansas Pacific 
division of the Union Pacific Railroad, with headquarters at Arm- 
strong, now a part of Kansas City, and he has resided continuously in 
Kansas City since 1878. In 1881 he engaged in the real estate busi- 
ness. He was personally so popular, and the results of his transactions 
were so satisfactory to both buyers and sellers, that his business in- 
creased rapidly and steadily. In 1880-87 he organized a syndicate 
that erected the First National Bank Building, which, until the com- 
pletion of the beautiful Husted Building, was the most costly and com- 
modious business structure in the city. The offices in this building, 
occupied until the present time by Mr. Husted and his businesses, 
were convenient and elegant. The offices in the Husted Building, 
now occupied by the Husted Investment Company, rank with the 
finest in the West. Besides his connection as president with the 
Husted Investment Company, which is one of the strongest con- 
cerns of the kind in the Union, doing an immense business, extending 
to nearly all parts of the country. Mr. Husted is identified officially 
with numerous corporations of importance, of many of which he is presi- 
dent. He is also president of the Fidelity Savings Bank, and vice- 
president of the First National Bank, all of Kansas City, Kas. The 
success of Mr. Husted has been remarkable, and would do credit to 
any man of twice his years and thrice his exf)erience. Beginning ab- 
solutely without capital and in the humblest way as a real estate com- 
mission broker, he has developed into one of the leading real estate 
dealers and investors in the West, the honored head of several corpora- 
tions, which have done no small work in hastening improvement and 
general development throughout a wide territory, and one of the most 
extensive owners of landed property in his city and its vicinity, notably 
along the lines of the Inter- State Consolidated Rapid Transit (Elevated) 
Railway, where he owns and controls considerable tracts, which in a 
few years, as the city expands, as it inevitably must, will be filled with 
factories, business houses and dwellings. While Mr. Husted has been 
in charge of commercial and financial transactions of great magnitude, 
he has not neglected the higher responsibilities of a Christian man- 
hood, nor lost any opportunity to aid his fellow men. He is a mem- 



■!^ 






656 HISTOBY OF KANSAS. 



ber of the Presbyterian Church, which he has served as elder and as a 
member of the board of trustees, and to all the financial and charitable 
interests of which he is a ready and liberal contributor. In early life 
he identified himself with the Young Men's Christian Association, to 
the practical work of which throughout Kansas he has given a marked 
impetus, and much good has resulted to the organization from his 
efforts in its behalf as chairman of the State executive committee, in 
which capacity he serves that body, and is an earnest, personal worker 
in the dissemination of the truths of Christianity. Mr. Husted is a 
man of untiring activity, and when he feels the need of recreation and 
change of scene he does not seek it in a season spent in indolence at 
some seaside resort, but in the manly pursuit of the noble game and 
fish found in the fastnesses and streams of the far Northwest. He is 
an enthusiastic hunter and a successful one withal, and his home and 
office walls and floors are adorned with numerous trophies of his ex- 
ploits by forest and stream. Those who know Mr. Husted best speak 
most enthusiastically of his many good qualities, his business capacity 
and his conspicuous success in the career he has chosen. He is per- 
haps more widely known then any other man in his city. No one 
doubts his integrity and his word is literally as good as his bond, 
which, on account of his well-known wealth and high-commercial char- 
acter, would be accepted anywhere in the country. Mr. Hnsted's par 
ents were O. J. and Mary W. (Hurlbutt) Husted. His father was a 
well-to do farmer, who possessed the confidence and respect of the 
community in which he dwelt. His mother was an exemplary 
Christian woman, the result of whose excellent training is manifest in 
the bent of Mr. Husted's mind and in admirable personal qualities, 
which have made him warm friends wherever he is known. Mr. 
Husted was married to Miss Jennie L. Thorpe, of Kansas City, in 
September, ]88], and his domestic relations are of the happiest. 
ThoTigh by birth an Ohio man, he is in all else a patriotic be- 
liever in the destiny of Kansas Citj' and the Middle West, and an 
earnest advocate of all the interests, commercial and moral, that per- 
tain thereto; ever liberal and helpful toward any project tending to 
the greatest good to the greatest number, and alert to promote the 
advancement of every worthy cause. He belongs to a class of men 
such as every community needs more of, and who quietly and without 
ostentation in doing for themselves benefit thousands of others whom 
chance has thrown within the range of their influence. The com- 
munity having them, is fortunate indeed. 



^=4^ 




Alexander D. Jacks is well known to the people of this i-egion, and 
is now residing on a good farm in Wyandotte Township, and although 
o"Tn Platte County. Mo., March 5, 1846, he has been a resident of 
W andotte County, Kas.. since the fall of 1861. He was the young- 
st of a family of thirteen children, the following six of whom are l.v- 
;l WilliamV farmer of this county), Eichard (w^o has been a^es.^ 
dent of California since 1850, and is engaged m gold mmmg) Elms 
who i! following the same business in that State), Warden Thomas 
who is a farmer of Wyandotte County), Cathenne (widow of J. H. 
Masterson, who was accidentally killed while hauhng g-m inJ889 
she is now managing the farm of 120 acres on which she is now liv 
S) and Alexander!), (the subject of this sketch). Tbe pareMs -re 
b.rth Kentuckians, the father's birth having occurred on Maj 4, IbU 
He was a soldier throughout the Mexican War, could remember inci- 
denrs connected with The War of 1812, and throughout Me was an 
agriculturist and stock-raiser, being the owner of 800 acres of fine land 
af the time of his death. His wife died at the age of ^^fy-^^fjf 
both were worthy members of the Christian Church. Alex-de. R 
Jacks received his early training in the old subscription schools, bu 
as the war came up whilst he was in attendance, it greatly inteife red 
with his education. Notwithstanding this he is possessed of a la ge 
fund of useful information, which admirably fits him for the active lie 
which he pursues. He has always been the friend and patron of e^u^ 
cation, and, in truth, supports all institutions which tend o develop 
the ri ing generation. He commenced life for himself at he age of 
wentv-fiv;years,and being the youngest member of the family the 
sole care of which devolved upon his shoulders, and for a long time 
his ups and downs in life were many. His marriage, which oc- 
curred on December 13, 1871, was to Miss Martha A. Chandler a na^ 
tive of Missouri, her education being received in her native State and 
in Kansas, but their union took place in Wyandotte Coun y, of the lat- 
ter State, and has resulted in the birth of the following children: Marj , 
Minnie (aged fourteen), Jennie (aged nine), Grover (aged five) and Les- 
ter (Who died in infancy). Mr. Jacks has always supported the meas^ 
ures of Democracy, and is a gentleman who has always used his right 
of franchise intelligently, and has cast his vote for men of honor and 
integrity. He has never aspired to office, much preferring to till his 
land for he finds it much more profitable, and the "glory of hold- 
ing public office has no charms for him. He is a member of the 
Farmers' Alliance, an organization which he thinks will accomplish 



la. 



658 



HISTUEY OF KANSAS. 



much for the farming element if the members will stand firmly by 
their princiiales. He is one of the old and sturdy pioneers of this re- 
gion, and has seen the county of Wyandotte developed from its prime- 
val state to the garden spot of Kansas. Kansas City, Kas. , contained 
a population of 1,500 inhabitants, but novp boasts a population of 40,- 
000 souls, and has the largest pork and beef-packing interests in the 
Southwest. Upon his arrival in this county land was worth $2. 50 
to 11 '2 per acre, but now, land surrounding his place has sold for 1100 
per acre. He has a tine farm of 120 acres, with 100 under cultiva- 
tion, and he has a handsome farm residence, and commodious and 
substantial outbuildings. Mrs. Jacks is a worthy member of the 
Christian Church, and she and her husband have abundant means with 
which to make their declining years happy and comfortable. 

William Jacks is well known to the citizens of Wyandotte County, 
Kas., and is a' native of Missouri, born on April 2-t, 1824, in which 
State his early education was obtained, he being an attendant of the 
old log school- houses of pioneer days, and for some time an attendant 
of a select school. He relates many amusing anecdotes and reminis- 
cences of his early school days, and although he has since made a 
success of his life, he has often felt the need of a better education, 
and for many years past has been a liberal patron of educational in- 
stitutions of all kinds. In fact, he gives liberally of his means to all 
worthy enterprises, and has shown that he has the interest of the 
county at heart, and is highly public spirited in every respect. He 
commenced life for himself as a merchant, amongst the whites, and 
Delaware and Wyandotte Indians, but as he had scarcely any capital 
to begin with, he relinquished his hold on business in the year of 
1850, and went to the Pacific slope to try his fortune in the placer 
gold diggings, where he remained off and on, for some fifteen years. 
He well remembers the time when the present site of San Francisco 
could have been purchased for 1300, and was well acquainted with a 
young man who purchased a lot for $5, for which he was offered, after 
San Francisco began to build up, the sum of $75,000. He also re- 
lates the following thrilling incident, which took place in his journey 
across the plains: When the caravan came near the famous "Sink of 
the Humboldt River," in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the whole 
country was a sandy desert, and while there he counted from 500 to 
1,000 dead cattle which were famished for want of water, there being 
also numerous wagons left desolate and abandoned with inscriptions 
written on them something like the following: "Take all that you see, 



ITH 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 659 



we are (Jone with wagons and all that you see on this desert plain." 
Men, women and animals were famished and many were dead. His 
company saved the lives of many emigrants who had endeavored to 
cross the great plains and see the Golden Gate. These, as well as 
many other incidents, are related' with great accuracy and vividness 
by Mr. Jacks, and would be of great interest to any one interested in 
the progress and development of the far West could he hear or read 
them. He was married to Miss Mary McDaniel on the same day of 
Grant's first election to the presidency, his wife being, in all prob- 
ability, a native of Missouri, in which State she was educated. Mr. 
Jacks was in California from 1850 to 1806, during the Rebellion, and 
has always been a "Simon pure" Democrat, and has supported and 
upheld the true principles of JefPersonianism. He is a gentleman of 
honor "and integrity, and has endeavored to exercise his right of 
franchise in a proper manner. He is under the impression that he 
cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce. He has held the 
office of township trustee for several terms and the important position 
of county commissioner also, which shows that the people have re- 
posed the utmost confidence in Mr. Jacks' ability as a man of sterling 
business acumen. He is at present justice of the peace in his town- 
ship, and is a gentleman who will fully support the principles of jus- 
tice and right and an equalization of rights in the Farmers' Alliance, 
of which he is a member, prospectively. He is not an arbitrary per- 
son, who usurps the rights of others, but does all in his power to pro- 
duce harmony at all times. He is well posted upon the current topics 
and issues of the day, and his views on all matters of public interest 
are sound, and show that he keeps fully apace with the times. In 
1866 he emigrated from California to Wyandotte County, Kas., and 
when he first knew Kansas City, Mo., it was a boat landing, and only 
eight or ten houses were visible from the river. Old Parkeville, ten 
miles west of Kansas City, Mo., was the Kansas City of the West or 
next to St. Joe, which fact goes to show what an early pioneer Mr. 
Jacks was in this section of the country. Kansas City, Kas., was un- 
known at that date, and Westport was a stopping place for supplies 
on the overland route to Santa Fe. When Mr. Jacks came to his 
present home it was a perfect thicket and wilderness, the Indians being 
the principal proprietors of the land at that time. He paid at first 
$14 per acre for forty- nine acres, and shortly after bought sixty acres 
at $'25 per acre, which land now lies within five miles of the city limits 
of Kansas City, Kas., and is now valued at $300 per acre, which value 



J, 



6G0 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



will be greatly enhanced when the great manufacturing plant of the 
Southwest is erected. He was present at the "Great Corn Feast," 
the last held by the Wyandotte Indians, two and one-half miles west 
of Wyandotte, Kas., near the Old Indian Spring, so well known to 
early settlers, and heard the speeches delivered by the principal chiefs, 
both in the Indian and English languages. Gov. Walker, who was of 
the Wyandotte tribe, spoke in both languages and Chief Gray Eye, of 
the Wyandotte tribe, also orated before the tribes in his native tongue. 
Mr. Jacks is held in high esteem by his neighbors for his sterling worth 
and integrity, and he and his wife expect to spend the rest of their 
days on their present farm, surrounded by everything to make life 
comfortable and pleasant. In addition to their home farm they own 
eighty acres of valuable land in Platte County, Mo. 

W. F. Jaques is foreman of the shipping department of Armour's 
Packing House, and has been in the employ of Armour for the past 
five years. He was born in Illinois in 1855, and acquired his early 
education in the public schools of Geneseo, and afterward engaged in 
teaching for four years, after which he emigrated to Ellis, Kas., and 
began the publication of a newspaper. After editing the Ellis Head- 
light for three years he sold out, and for three years was employed as 
a cleru in the Union Pacific Railway offices at Ellis, Kas. At the end 
of this time he came to Kansas City, Kas. , and entered tlie employ of 
Armour as a clerk, but at the end of two years was promoted to fore- 
man of the lard department, and one year later was given control of 
the shipping department, a position he has tilled ever since. He was 
married at Geneseo, 111., in 1881, to Miss Jennie L. Paul, a native of 
Illinois, born in 1858. They have one child, a boy, Ewart Paul, born 
November 22, 1888. Mr. Jaques is a warm Republican in his views, 
and being a young man of many sterling principles his future pros- 
perity is assured. He is the owner of some property in Kansas City, 
and his home is at No. 746 Sandusky Avenue. His parents, W. C. 
and Eliza A. (Beers) Jaques, were born in Pennsylvania. The father 
is now living in Geneseo, but the mother died in 1880. During the 
time Mr. Jacques was engaged in publishing a newspaper at Ellis, 
Kas., he also read law in the office of Lawyers David Rathbone and 
M. M. Fuller, and was admitted to the bar, but has never engaged in 
the practice. 

August F. Jasper, coal and feed merchant, Argentine, Kas. Mr 
Jasper is one of the oldest settlers of this county, having made his 
first appearance here in 1803, and is a prominent and popular bus- 



^rr 



iness man. He was born in Leipsic, Germany, April 18, 1855, and is 
the fifth in a family of nine children born to Herman and Minnie Jas- 
per, natives also of Germany. The parents came to the United States 
in 1859, located first in Osage County, Mo. (1860), and later moved to 
this county, where the father was engaged in farming and teaming. 
When they first located here the land was a wilderness and heavily 
timbered, and the father and his sons did a great deal to clear the land 
of the heavy timber. Their earliest neighbors were Indians, living 
with them in perfect peace, and West Kansas City was all under brush 
and heavy timber. Our subject has seen the first laying of the dif- 
ferent railroad tracts through the city, and all the other large improve- 
ments. Up to the last few years he has devoted his attention to potato 
growing and fruit raising, but in the fall of 1888 he started his coal 
and feed store, in which he has been very successful. He started with 
a very limited capital, but meeting with success he is now able to sup- 
ply them in any quantity. Mr. Jasper is single, and has taken care 
of his mother since the death of the father, who died November 25, 
1889, when in his seventy-ninth year. In politics Mr. Jasper is a 
Republican, and was road overseer of his township for four years and 
six months in succession. He is a member of the Argentine Associa- 
tion. In his religious views he is a German Lutheran. 

Mrs. Sarah Johnson, of Kansas City, Kas., is a daughter of Joseph 
R. and Nancy (Parish) Farrar, who were born in Kentucky, but were 
married in Indiana, where the father followed the occupation of a 
farmer, and there reared his children, all of whose births occurred in 
that State. After the mother's death, which occurred in that State, 
the father came West, and about 1855 settled in Leavenworth, where 
he resided until his death, which occurred when he was about fifty- 
eight years of age. His father, William Farrar, was a native of Culpep- 
er County, Va. , but spent the greater portion of his life, and died, in 
Kentucky. He was the father of seven children, of whom Joseph K. 
was the eldest. His youngest son, Andrew Jackson Farrar, still sur- 
vives, and resides with Mrs. Johnson. The Farrars are of Scotch - 
Irish descent and Mrs. Johnson, who was born in 1831, like her broth- 
ers and sisters, was reared to maturity in Indiana, and was married 
there and had become the mother of three children before her removal 
West. She and her husband settled in Leavenworth, Kas., in 1862, 
and there made their home for about six years, when they came to 
Kansas City, Kas., where Mr. Johnson purchased a large farm at $11 
per acre, selling it afterward for $00,000. They then moved to Wy- 



i, Vy 



JSI 



662 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



audotte, and here Mr. Johnson's death occurred, April 1, 1888, at the 
age of seventy-lwo years. He was twice married, and by bis first 
wife became the father of nine children, his last wife bearing him 
the following family: Thomas, Jennie (wife of Scott Odor), Ellen 
(wife of Chris Austed), Belle (wife of William Smith), Ulysses, Ben- 
jamin, Willie, and four deceased. Mr. Johnson was a Henry Clay 
Whig, afterward becoming a Republican, and for many years served 
as one of the county commissioners, being a popular official and use- 
ful citizen. He was, as is his widow, a member of the Christian 
Church, and is now sleeping his last sleep in Oak Grove Cemetery. 

Charles B. Johnson, real estate dealer, Kansas City, Kas On 
April 30, 1840, in Tompkins County, N. Y., there was born to the 
union of Henry L. and Ocee Ann (Brown) Johnson, a son, whom we 
now take as the subject of this sketch. Charles B. was educated in 
the common schools, and when quite young began learning the har- 
ness-maker's trade. He was reared on a farm in Ohio, whither his 
father had moved in 1846, and followed his trade in West Bedford for 
some time. Later he went to New Castle, the same county, and car- 
ried on his trade there until June, 1861. He then volunteered in the 
United States Army, Company K, Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, under Capt. Givens, and entered the service on June 1, 1861. 
He went into camp at Camp Burt, Coshocton County, Ohio, and after 
remaining there a month went to Camp Chase, Ohio. Thence, in July 
of the same year, he went to Bellaire, Ohio, from there to Pittsburgh, 
Penn., and later was ordered to Washington, but the order was coun- 
termanded. He was then sent back to Clarksburg, W. Va., but was 
there taken sick with chronic diarrhea. He was taken to the hospital, 
but the treatment being ineffectual, he, with some companions, escaped 
from the hospital, and followed their company through the mountains, 
camping in the very lines of the Confederates. After joining his com- 
mand at Cheat Mountain Summit, W. Va., Mr. Johnson assisted in 
erecting a fort and barracks, made of logs, with port holes. In Sep- 
tember, 1861, they were surrounded by the enemy, for seven days had 
some lighting, and were then relieved by other troops. They re- 
mained there for some time, and then went to Greenbrier, where they 
were defeated, but afterward retreated to their old fort at Cheat Mount- 
ain Summit, W. Va. A month later they were ordered to Clarks- 
burg, W. Va. , thence to Louisville, Ky. , under Gen. Wilson, and from 
there into winter quarters at Camp Wyeliffe, in Kentucky. In Feb- 
ruary of 1862 they were ordered to Bowling Green, Ky. , to go into 



■^S 



It^ 



lI^l 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 663 



the tigbt, marcbed ou the enemy, fired on them, and caused them to 
retreat. After this the command was ordered to West Point, Ky., and 
from there they went by boats down the Ohio River to Padiicab, under 
Gen. Nelson. From there they went up the Cumberland River to 
Fort Donelson, expecting to assist in the tigbt, but did not reach there 
until the morning of the surrender. From there they went to Nash- 
ville, Tenn. , were there at the surrender, and at that place Mr. John- 
son was again taken ill, being in the hospital at Nashville for some 
time. After recovering he was detailed as clerk, and served in that 
capacity for nine months and twenty seven days. He was then dis- 
charged on a surgeon's certificate of disability — for heart and lung 
trouble. Returning home to Ohio, he remained in Coshocton County 
for some time, and then went to Mount Vernon, Knox County, of the 
same State. There he worked at his trade with George Hawk for nine 
months, after which, in 1864, he moved back to Bladensburg. From 
there he went to Roscoe, carried on a shop there for two years, and in 
the fall of 1867 moved to New Castle, Coshocton County, Ohio, where 
he made his home until 1886. In 1874 he patented the Diamond Trace 
Buckler, for which he received $1,000, and while a resident of that 
city he held the office of justice of the peace, resigning that position 
after serving a few months on his fourth term. He was also proprie- 
tor of the Union Hotel, New Castle, for live years, and made considera- 
ble money at this. Mr. Johnson has been twice married, his first 
union being with Miss Martha Baltzall, a native of Bladensburg, Ohio, 
on March 7, 1863. She was the daughter of Joseph and Lydia Balt- 
zall, and died on July 12, 1865. The fruits of this union were two 
children, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Johnson's second mar- 
riage was on July 7, 1867, to Miss Charity E. Fulkerson, a native of 
Coshocton County, Ohio, and to them were born four children — two 
now living: George W. and Robert M. Blanche died at the age of 
thirteen years, and another (Mabel) died at the age of eighteen months. 
The eldest son is now in the laundry business with his uncle, M. J. 
Fulkerson. Mr. Johnson sold his property in Ohio in 1886, moved to 
Kansas City, Mo., and there remained for nearly two years. He then 
crossed the line to Kansas City, Kas., and engaged in merchandising, 
which he carried on for a year. He began dealing in real estate shortly 
after coming here, and has owned three farms, besides considerable 
real estate in both Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kas. He also 
owns property in Guthrie, Ind. T. He has been quite fortunate since 
locating here, and is a prominent business man. He gets $24 per month 



~® ^V 



664 HISTORY OF KANSAS. f 



pension, is a member of the G. A. R. , and althoiigli formerly a Re- 
publican, is now a Democrat, and believes in tariff reform. In 1874 
he invented the Brace Collar, patented it, and made over 15,000 out of 
it. He is quite an inventive genius. The parents of Mr. Johnson 
were natives of New York, were married there, and in 1846 moved to 
Ohio, where the father carried on farming and basket-making. He 
was a member of the Baptist Church, and in his political views was a 
Republican. Grandfather Johnson was a native of Ireland, and was 
a Revolutionary soldier on the side of the colonists. 

James R. Johnson was born in Oldham County, Ky. , on July 10, 
1843, and is a son of James T. and Matilda A. (Twistler) Johnson, the 
former born in Kentucky, February 21, 1816, and the latter in Penn- 
sylvania. The father was reared in his native State and Indiana and 
about 1857 came to Kansas, and besides farming, followed various oc- 
cupations near Leavenworth for two years, when he came to Kansas 
City, pui'chasing some land near Armourdale, which he afterward 
sold for $800 per acre. He soon after moved to Kansas City, and here 
passed from life on April 1, 1888. A more complete history of his life 
may be found in the sketch of Mrs. Sarah E. Johnson. James R. 
Johnson grew to manhood in Kansas, and there received State of Indi- 
ana common- school advantages, remaining with bis father until he en- 
tered the army, which was on September 9, 1861, and received his 
discharge on October 7, 1865, during which time he served in Com- 
pany F, Seventh Kansas Cavalry, Army of the Cumberland, and took 
part in the battles of Corinth, Tupelo, Kossuth, Baldwin, Hamburg 
Landing, and a number of minor engagements. He followed Price 
on his raid, also Van Dorn. After the war Mr. Johnson followed 
various pursuits, and at one time filled the position of deputy marshal, 
and for six or seven years was a policeman at Kansas City, and had 
charge of the night force at that time, and is also serving as bailiff 
of the courthouse. He was wounded by a gunshot at Kossuth, Miss., 
on August 27, 1862, and also received a sunstroke about July 1, 1804, 
and since 1871 has received a pension of 18 per month for these inju- 
ries. He is now a member of the G. A. R., the U. V. U. , and in his 
political views is a stanch Republican. He has just returned from 
Boston, and besides this place, during his trip East, he visited New 
York, Baltimore, also Washington Cincinnati and St. Louis. He 
was married in Wyandotte County to Miss Helen E. Dilley, by whom 
he has one child, Charley L. His wife's people were Virginians, but 
she was born in Ohio and inherits both French and German blood 



'-^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. H65 



from her aucestors. Mr. Johnson is one of the well-to-do residents of 
this section and is an honoratile and upright man in ever)' worthy par 
ticular. 

Dr. Thomas H. Johnson (colored), a prominent physician as well as 
a worthy citizen of Kansas City, Kas. , was born in Alhemarle County, 
Va. , July 4. 1844, being a son of Dr. Robei-t and Eliza Johnson, who 
were also natives of that State. He spent his early life in his native 
State, receiving the advantages of the common schools, and in 1866 
went to Washington, D. C. , where he remained about two or three 
years, giving his attention to the shoemaker's trade, which he had 
learned in his boyhood. His next place of residence was Syracuse, 
N. Y. , but a year later went to Springfield, Mass. , and at the end of 
six months to Boston, Mass., his attention during all this time being 
devoted to his trade. In 1871 he determined to take Horace Greeley's 
advice and '"go west," and his first location was made at Junction 
City, Kas. In early life he had resolved to fit himself for the practice 
of medicine, and during all the subsequent years, which he spent at 
his trade he still held to this resolution, and his leisure moments were 
devoted to the study of medical works. Being a first-class workman 
at his trade, he gradually accumulated means, but this calling being 
insufficient to satisfy the cravings of his nature he determined to aban- 
don it, not however, iintil he had resided in the following places: Abi- 
lene, Lawrence, and lastly in Kansas City in 1877, The following 
year he returned to Lawrence and labored as actively in the practice 
of his profession as he had previously done at shoemaking, and won 
quite a reputation for himself as an able practitioner. In the fall of 
1878 he removed to Leavenworth, Kas., but from that place, in the fall 
of the following year, he returned to Kansas City, which place has 
since been his home. He took his first course of medical lectures in 
the Medical Department of the Nebraska State University at Lincoln, 
during the fall of 1S78, and in the spring of 1874, but during the 
years of 1886-87 and 1887-SS he attended the California Medical Col- 
lege, formerly of Oakland, but now of San Francisco, and was graduated 
from this institution as an M. D. in the spring of 1887. He made a 
specialty of the treatment of chronic diseases, and he has built up a 
reputation for himself which extends beyond the limits of the State. 
He has, in the past, traveled quite extensivly while practicing his pro 
fession, and he now has patients in some of the remotest parts of the 
United States. Dr. Johnson possesses a fine intellect, and as he has 
devoted many years of his life to his calling, he is known to be an 



^ £ r~ ■"* 8 V 



^\b — - -^ — "L^ 

666 HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



able practitioner, and is now in possession of a large and lucrative 
practice. He is the owner of valuable property at No. 818 Minnesota 
Avenue, which he bought and improved in 1883. He is a man of 
pleasing and agreeable manners, and he and his estimable wife have a 
large circle of fi'ieiids and acquaintances. He is a devoted member 
of the Republican party, and socially is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity. He belongs to the Kansas State Medical Society, the Cali- 
fornia State Medical Society, and he and Mrs. Johnson are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married October 27, 
1871, to Miss Georgia A. Payne, a native of Virginia. 

Henry F. Johnson (colored), is a prominent ex-grocer of Kansas 
City, Kas., and the property of which he is now the owner has been 
acquired by ceaseless industry, united with a strong and determined 
effort to succeed in life, and the result of his labors have far exceeded 
his expectations, although fully deserved. He is a native of New 
Orleans, La., his birth occurring there on July 19, 1848. In August, 
1803, he enlisted in the war, becoming a member of the Seventeenth 
Louisiana Infantry, but the following February, was honorably dis- 
charged on accoiint of physical disability, and immediately following 
the war began working at the carpenter's trade in his native State, a 
calling he continued to pursue there until 187'.). In that year he 
removed to Kansas City, Mo., where he remained two years, removing 
in 1881 to Kansas City, Kas., where he engaged in the grocery biisi- 
ness, meeting with the best of success. He did an extensive and pay- 
ing business until Feliruary, 1890, when he retired from active life. 
He has by economy and judicious management accumulated consider- 
able property and his attention is now chiefly given to its successful 
management. He is the owner of an express line consisting of four 
teams, and this enterprise nets him quite a nice little sum annually. 
In his political views he is independent, and has served one term as a 
member of the city council. Socially, he belongs to the A. F. & 
A. M. _ and the I. O. O. F. , and as a man and citizen he commands 
the respect and esteem of all, for he has always proved himself honor- 
able in every particular, an enterprising, an industrious, and a law-abid- 
ing citizen. Miss Mary A. Lewis, a native Louisianian, became his 
wife in September, 1870, and their lives since that time have been 
happy and contented. 

Solomon J. Jones, foreman of the car department of the Fort 
Scott and Gulf .shops, was born in Penmark, South Wales, May 17, 
1837, being the son of David Jones. The father was a Welshman, 







and a sawyer by profession. He married Mrs. Yoratb, aiul to tljis 
anion was born the subject of this sketch. The mother by her lirst 
nuirriage had eleven children. While Solomon was in his eleventh 
year, his father died, being a good Christian man, and a member of 
the Baptist Church. Thus the responsibility of his early training fell 
upon the mother, who exhibited great force of character and performed 
her duty nobly. At an early age Solomon commenced to work, first 
finding employment that paid very little, but taught him habits of in- 
dustry and perseverance, and so litted him for the battle of life in after 
years. He first oiled machinery, next learning the wagon-making 
trade, and after the family moved to Aberdare, worked in a carpent(H- 
shop. Borrowing money, Solomon went to London, England, landing 
in that great city with only 15 in his pocket, but in a short time se- 
cured work in the suburbs. He then moved to Stratham, where he 
remained nine years, and about this time he found his trade exceed- 
ingly useful, and soon raised himself to the position of foreman. 
Seeing the advertisements from Kansas City, and being well pleased 
l)y the prospects held out, he came to the United States, landing in 
Kansas City, May 10, 1870. His first employment was work on the 
Lindel Hotel, and sent to London for his family. He next commenced 
to work for the Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, and in 1886 he was given 
his present position in the shops. Mr. Jones married Miss Amy Stand- 
ing, of London, March 16, 1862, and to this union have been born 
three daughters and a son, viz. : David (who is running a switch en- 
gine in the yards at Kansas City), Ann Eliza (the wife of C. H. Gates, 
grocer at Kansas City), Emma (wife of Charles Spencer, blacksmith), 
and Margaret (who resides with her parents). Mr. Jones is an un- 
compromising Prohibitionist, but in local matters votes for the man he 
thinks most capable of filling the desired office. He owns a comfort- 
alDle home in this city, and is held in high esteem by his many friends. 
He was elected to the council in 1887, and again in 1890, and has been 
a member of the school board for the past three years, and at the 
present time is treasurer of this body. He belongs to the Masons, 
Odd Fellows, Foresters, K. of P., A. O. U. W., and the Degree of 
Honor of the K. of U. \V., and Knights of Pythias Grand Lodge of 
Kansas. 

Charles J. Jones, who is at the present time one of the leading con- 
tractors and builders of Kansas City, Kas. , was born at South Brooks, 
Waldo County, Me., Decemloer lU, 1844, being the son of Israel P. 
and Sarah E. (Honson) Jones. His parents were both natives of Maine 



^. 



^fV 



'-\^ 



668 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



and of Quaker descent. The Jones family has been in the United 
States since 1500, tracing their ancestry back to Thomas Jones, who 
was a Welslimau. Israel Jones was a ship builder and carpenter, and 
thus his son naturally inherited a taste for that trade. The subject of 
this sketch passed his childhood and early youth in his native State, 
and learned his trade in the city of Boston, working there and in 
other Eastern cities until he enlisted in the late war in 1864. He was 
in Company A, Massachusetts Cavalry, under Col. Lowell, doing guard 
duty at Harper's Ferry and other places in the Shenandoah Valley. 
He was mustered out of service in 1865, and remained in Massachusetts 
until 1868, at which time he moved West, settling first at Omaha. Neb., 
and afterward going through the States of Nebraska and Iowa, con 
tracting, he finally locating in Sioux City, where he continued to live 
six years. In 1876 he came to Kansas City, and has contracted for 
and built many of the handsomest business houses and residences in this 
city, giving at all times entire satisfaction and gaining the confidence 
of all who know him. He has been for the past three years in the em- 
ploy of the Lovejoy Planing Mills. He has built among other well- 
known houses, two large residences for Gen. Bowman, the packing- 
houses of Dold & Son, and for the American Dressed Beef Company. 
He also superintended the building of the Beloit, Kas. , High School. 
Mr. Jones was married on June 4, 1885, to Miss Mary Gunn, of Beloit, 
Kas., whose native place is Massachusetts. He is a member of the 
Republican party, and is a very public-spirited man, evincing great in- 
terest in all matters that relate to the advancement of this community. 
He belongs to the Summonduwott Lodge, I. O. O. F., and also of the 
Burnside Post, G. A. R. 

Charles H. Jones, general superintendent of the Armourdale Foun- 
dry, is a gentleman of large experience, and one who is thoroughly 
skilled in his business. He is a native of the Keystone State, his birth 
occurring August 1, 1850, and was the second of six childi'en born to 
his parents. The father was a native of England, born in 182], and 
was a boot and shoe maker by trade. He is residing in Pennsylvania at 
the present time. The mother, who was a native of England, born in 
1821, is also living in Pennsylvania. Mr. Jones started out to fight 
life's battles for himself at the age of twenty years, but previous to 
this, when fifteen years of age, learned the trade of molder in Tama- 
qua, Penn. He was foreman of the foundry in Danville, Penn. , for a 
year and a half, and then went to Wesley, Ala., where he remained 
four years as foreman, and where they employed about sixty men. 



l^ 



^t 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 669 



Subsequently he went to Moberly, Mo., was foreman of a foundry in 
the Wabash Raih'oad shops for three years, with a force of about 
seventy-five men. He has held many important positions, and filled 
thera all in a very satisfactory manner, being molder and foreman of 
some of the principal foundries in the different parts of the United 
States. He then engaged with another firm in Moberly Mo. , remained 
with this for two years, and then went to St. Louis, Mo., where he 
engaged with the Malleable Iron Company. After remaining there 
a year as foreman he engaged with the St. Louis Car Wheel Com- 
pany, and continued with the same for nearly three years. Later he 
came to Kansas City, Mo., was with The Kansas City Car Wheel 
Company for two years and eight months, and then, crossed the line 
to Kansas City, Kas. , where he is at present the general superintendent 
of Armourdale Foundry. Mr. Jones obtained his education in the 
public schools, and was married to Miss Dora Sheldon, a native of 
Brooklyn, Iowa. They are the parents of four children — three sons 
and a daughter: Rodney (eleven years of age, and is attending the 
public schools), Lulu (aged nine years). Earl (five years of age), and 
Kenneth (two and a half years old). Mr. Jones has affiliated with the 
Republican party, but is not a strict partisan, supporting men of 
principle rather than party. He is a skilled artisan in his profession, 
and as far as he knows at the present time, will make Kansas City, 
Mo. , his home. He is thoroughly conversant with every detail of his 
business, and is well known in all the mechanical circles with which 
he has been associated. He is a valuable man, and has the entii-e 
good will of his subordinates. 

Hon. David E. Jones, ex-mayor of Rosedale and manager of the 
Western Iron Company's interests, at the above-mentioned place, is 
another citizen of foreign birth in this county deserving of special 
prominence. He was born in Wales October 13, 1855, and is a son of 
John E. and Ann Jones, natives also of Wales. The parents emigrated 
to the United States in 1863, located at Cleveland, Ohio, remained 
there about a year, and then went to Chicago, where they remained 
until 1873. From there they went to Pittsburgh, Penn., remained there 
until 1875, when Mr. Jones brought his family to Rosedale, and he 
went to Topeka. He was foreman for the Kansas Rolling Mills for 
some time, but in recent years has been in Argentine. He is now sixty- 
four years of age, has been in the iron business all his life, and is a prac- 
tical iron man. He is highly educated and writes for Welsh papers 
under the nom de plume of Abloan. The mother died in Rosedale, in 



"Fl^ 






=4^ 



t)7(l HlSTOliY OK KANSAS 



187S. when tifty-four years of age. She wiis connected with the Baji 
tist Church for many years. J Mr. Jones belongs to the A. O. U. W.. 
the K. of P., and in politics adheres to the Republican party. He 
is the father of si.K children, four now living: Ivor (located at Toledo, 
Ohio), Moroydd (wife of \Villiam McGeorge, mayor of Argentine and 
ex-mayor of Rosedale), and Urien (druggist, at Rosedale). David E. 
Jones received his education 'in the ward schools of Chicago, and in 
the ^\'estern University "of Pittsburgh, Penn. When eleven years of 
age he commenced work in Chicago, and continued this until 1S7H. 
when he went to Pittsburgh, and attended school. He then commenced 
keeping books for William Boyd & Son. and later accepted the posi- 
tion of chief clerk of the rolling-mills, in whose employ he has re 
mained ever since. In 1881 he was appointed assistant superintend 
eut of the works, and since closing the works Mr. Jones has had 
charge of the business here. In ISSl'he was elected mayor of the city, 
and served five terms, was clerk of the -school board one year and city 
treasurer one term. In 1881 he was united in marriage to Miss Leon 
ora Mathias, daughter of David Mathias, and they have one son. Leu 
D. Socially Mr. Jones is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being 
junior wai-den of the lodge, is a K. P., a member of the Grand Lodge 
K. of P. of Kansas, the A. O. U. W. , a member also of the Grand Lodge 
A. O. U. W. , and is a member of the Foresters and Degree of Honor. In 
politics he is a Republican, was president of the Republican Club dur- 
ing the last campaign, and was chairman of the Central Coinmittee. He 
has ever been prominent in politics. 

John L. Jones has been connected with the grocer's trade in Kan- 
sas City, Kas. , since January 22, 1886, and his establishment is one 
of the most popular ones in the city, for he not only sells his goods at 
reasonable rates, but is courteous and accommodating to his customers, 
and shows that it is his earnest desire to please them. He was born 
near Lima, Allen County, Ohio, April SO, 1861, being a sou of Will 
iam H. and Margaret (Jenkins) Jones, the former of whom was born in 
Montgomeryshire, Wales, and the latter in Lima, Ohio. William H. 
Jones was a son of .John and Elizabeth (Hughes) Jones, and at the 
age of seventeen years came to America and settled in Butler County, 
Ohio, in which State he spent the remainder of his life. He almost 
immediately entered upon his trade of wagon-making, and made this 
his chief occupation through life. . He was an exceptionally well-in- 
formed man and was a graduate of a Cincinnati College and being of 
a studious turn of mind he aci)uired a very tine education. In his 



^r^ 



>. 




early days he taught school eight years, the famous journalist, Mu^ 
rat Halstead, being one of his pupils. Throughout the latter part of 
his life he gave his attention to farming, and having proved himself 
thorooghlv honorable in every walk in life he had the esteem and con- 
fidence of' all. He died December 24, 1882. His wife was a daugh^ 
ter of Evan Jenkins, a native of Wales, who on coming to the United 
States, located in Alien County, Ohio, where he spent the remainder 
of his life. He was a tiller of the soil, and his farm, which compri^s 
eighty acres, is now occupied by a iK)rtion of the town of Lima. The 
subject of this sketch is the third in a family of nine children, all of 
whom are living, and his youth and early manhood were spent m Al- 
len Countv Ohio, his educational advantages being very good. After 
attaining his majority he went to Delphos, Ohio, and clerked for two 
vears in^a grocery st<;re, but in 1883 came to Kansas City, and here 
has made his home ever since. After clerking for two years for the 
grocery firm of Erickson & Wheeler at Xo. 247 James Street, on Jan- 
uary '^''> 1880. Mr. Jones purchased Mr. Erick.on's interest, and the firm 
of Wheeler ic Jones continued for two years and five months, where- 
upon Martin Myers became associated with Mr. Jones. On Octo^r 8 
188S they removed to the large two-story bi-ick at the corner of Sixth 
Strpet and OrvUle Avenue, and here they have since conducted an ex- 
ceptionally large and well-appointed establishment. His estimable 
wife was formerly Miss Marv E. Morgan, an old school-mate of his in 
Allen County, Ohio. They have one child, Walter M., who was born 
on Autmst 3 1888. ^tfr. Jones has always been a stanch member of 
the Re'publican party, and is at present a member of the city council, 
bavin- been elected in April, 1800. He belongs to the K. of P.. 
having joined that order in Ohio on his twenty-first birthday, or in 

Apriiri882. ^^ ^,.^ „ 

John Reefer. Among the many industries m Kansas City, Kas.. 
that call for special notice in a work of this kind is that which deals 
in the necessaries of life, principal amonglwhich is that of groceries. 
Kansas City contains some first-class stores in this line of business, 
principal among the number being that of Mf. Keefer, who has been 
established in this business since the fall of 1887. He was born in 
Chicago, 111.. September 12, 1859. to John and Ellen (Hams) Keefer, 
who were native Germans, but who came to America single and were 
married in Chicago about 1852. Of a famUy of nine children born 
to them-tive were sons and four danghters-of whom two sons and 
three daughters are now living. Their names in order of birth areas 



*% 



>>. 




follows: Mary, Peter, John, Joseph, Ellen, Anna, August, Peter and 
Katie. Mary, John, Joseph, Ellen and Katie are living. The mother 
of these children died on May 29, 1882, but the father is still living 
and makes his home in Chicago. The subject of this sketch spent 
his early life in his native city, and received a very good early eduea 
tion, and at twenty years of age he became employed in an oleomar- 
garine factory, and at the expiration of six months he was made fore- 
man of the same, continuing in that capacity for about two years. On 
June 16, 1882, he came from Chicago to Kansas City, Kas., and a 
few days after his arrival he entered the employ of the Armour Pack- 
ing Company and remained with it about four years, all of which 
time, with the exception of one month, he was foreman of the oleo 
margarine factory at this place also. In the fall of 1887 he engaged 
iu the grocery business on his own responsibility at No. 1922 North 
Third Street, but about two months after starting, the building iu 
which his business was conducted caught fire, and although it was 
not entirely destroyed, it was rendered unfit for further use, and the 
stock of goods was severely damaged. The rooms above his store he 
occupied as a residence, and had a short time before gone to consider- 
able expense to furnish them nicely, but, as the insurance was small, 
the loss was severely felt. He removed his family to a residence far- 
ther up the street, that stood on the ground now occupied by hi.s 
present business Ijuilding, and in the course of two months be had 
again opened a store at his old stand, the building having been re- 
paired. Here he continued to remain until August, 1888, when he 
traded his stock for a vacant residence lot on the corner of Sherman 
Avenue and the Quindaro Boulevard. Meanwhile, in January, 1884, 
he had purchased a lot 54x120 feet. No. 2018 North Third Street, 
and upon it, in the fall of 1888, he erected the business building he 
now occupies. It is an excellent room. 22x48 feet, and is well situated. 
Here, in September, 1888, he opened a lirst-class grocery and meat- 
market, and has conducted it very successfully ever since, for he is 
accommodating, genial and honorable iu his dealings with the public, 
and this, together with his desire to please his patrons, has enabled 
him to build up a substantial lousiness. He now has one of the best 
retail groceries on Third Street, and it is recognized by the public as 
a iirst-class place to trade. His residence is located upon the south 
half of his lot, its number being 201t). Mr. Keefer was married, 
February 6, 1883, to Miss Lena Anna Kuhr, who was born in Chi 
cago on March 5. 1862, she being a daughter of Adam and Mary 



;ir 




(Riplinger) Kuhr, who were both born in Germany, and accompauied 
their respective parents to America, the former at the age of sixteen 
and the latter when fourteen. They were married in Chicago about 
1844, and of a family of thirteen children born to them Mrs. Keefer was 
the ninth. The names of the family are as follows: John, Kate, 
Adam, Lena A., George, Peter and Maggie. Those deceased are 
Michael, Anna, two named Mary, and another daughter that died 
very young. The mother of these children died in February, 1S84. 
hut the father still resides in Chicago. The marriage of Mr. and 
Mrs. Keefer resulted in the birth of three children: Matthew (born 
January 19, 1884), Mary (born February 22, 1886, and lived only a 
few hours), and John (born March 5, 1887). Both Mr. Keefer and 
his wife are members of the Catholic Church, and are accounted 
among the foremost and intelligent citizens of Kansas City. 

John Kern has been a resident of Wyandotte County, Kas. , since 
1869, and during this time he has identified himself with the farming 
and stock-raising interests. He has become well known for his habits 
of industry, perseverance and integrity, as well as for his exceeding 
liberality in the support of worthy enterprises. His birth occurred in 
Baden, Germany, April 27, 1831, and he is the third child born to Se 
bastian Kern, who was also born there. He remained in his native 
land engaged in farming until 1869, when he crossed the ocean to 
America, landing at New York City, and the same week came West and 
settled in Wyandotte County, Kas., where he purchased a fertile little 
farm of eighty acres, a considerable portion of which was covered with 
timber. He set to work immediately to improve his land, and now has 
it well improved with a good orchard, residence, barn and other out- 
buildings, and has an abundant amount of stock with which to suc- 
cessfully conduct the same. In 1861 he was united in marriage to 
Miss Teresa Schooren, who has proved a true helpmate in their en- 
deavors to secure a home in the West. They are thrifty, like all their 
countrymen, and have thus far proved valuable residents of Wyan 
dotte County. Mr. Kern is a Democrat in his political views, he and 
wife are members of the Catholic Church, and the children that have 
been born to them are four in number: Emma, Mary (wife of Oscar 
Smith), Anna (wife of Decatur Durham) and Joseph (who assists his 
father in the care of his farm). 

Charles E. Kern, fruit-grower and gardener, Kansas City, Mo. 
This prominent business man emigrated from Ohio to Wyandotte 
County, Kas., in 1882, engaged in his present business, and is the 



^ 




owner of thirteen acres. Mr. Kern spends a great deal of his time 
gardening, and his home is surrounded by a large lawn which he has 
planted with many choice and beautiful flowers and shrubbery, mak- 
ing it one of the most attractive adjoining Kansas City. He has also 
devoted considerable time and expense to winter gardening, using about 
300 sashes and making about 7,200 feet of glass. He has been 
unusually successful in business. Mr. Kern was born in Tyler County, 
W. Va. , on August 19, 1854, and is the only child born to the union 
of W. B. and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Kern, natives of West Virginia 
and Belmont County, Ohio, respectively. The father was a merchant 
in Bridgeport, Ohio. In 1866 he moved to Bridgeport, Ohio, where 
Charles E. was reared to manhood and educated in the common 
schools. But for an accident in boj'hood he would have taken a col- 
legiate course. He remained at Bridgeport until 1882, and then came 
West, where he purchased his present place of L. Walgamot. Mr. Kern 
was married on November 12, 1878, to Miss Eliza V. Lowry, daughter of 
Malcom and Mary Lowry, natives of West Virginia. Mrs. Kern was born 
in the Buckeye State on September 28, 1859. To their union the follow- 
ing children were born: Elizabeth L. and Mabel. Mr. Kern is a Repub- 
lican in his political views, and has held the office of school director 
several terms. He is active in his support of all worthy enterprises. 
Although he started without means he has accumulated a comfortable 
living for future days. 

H. N. Kerr is a pioneer of Wyandotte County, Kas. , and has been 
a resident of the State since 1859. He was born in Miami County, 
Ohio, September 9, 1820, and there grew to manhood, and was edu- 
cated in the common schools, but also received considerable instruction 
under West Lake, and also at bis home. He commenced for himself 
a poor boy, and after his marriage, which occurred on December 31, 
1840, to Miss Sarah Morris, he rented land for about ten years, then 
purchased 242 acres, but afterward sold his lease for $1,000. About 
this time he was taken with the measles, which so impaired his health, 
that his doctors ordered him to the West, and he soon after went by 
stage to Urbana, Ohio, thence to Illinois, and purchased land near 
Bloomington, and here moved his family March 5, 1855. He contin- 
ued to reside and farm in Illinois until 1859, then removed with his 
family to Kansas, and rented land with the intention of seeing how he 
liked the country before he made a purchase. Being much pleased 
with this section, and predicting that a great city would .spring up, 
where Kansas City now is, he determined to locate here, and time has 



*^' 



nv 



^shown the soimdness of bis judgment, for be is now woU-todo in 
worldly goods. He purcbased a farm bere in June, 1859, and until 
April 4, 1864, was engaged in raising stock on the same, after which 
he purchased the land on which he is living at the present time, con- 
sisting of lOoi acres. He bought, sold and traded land, until he now 
has 38O5 acres, Chelsea Park being on a portion of his farm. He gave 
money to the amount of about $60,000 for the founding of a college 
near his place, and donated and built the building on the base-ball 
park, .Chelsea Park, ten acres to a cable line, and has otherwise assisted 
in building up Kansas City to its present admirable proportions. Ho 
has a tine home on his property, and here he has reared his six chil 
dren: Sarah A., J. Wayne. Laura L., C. W., Emma L. and H. L., 
who all have excellent homes of their own. Mrs. Kerr is still living, 
and is live months younger than her husband. Mr. Kerr's parents, 
James and Sarah (Thompson) Kerr, were born in Ohio, the former a 
native of Warren Covxnty, and both died in their native State. Kerr 
is a Scotch name, and was formerly spelled Ker. The paternal grand- 
father was a spy for the colonists during the French and Indian War. 
C W. Kerr, real estate agent, Kansas City, Kas. The almost un- 
paralleled growth of Kansas City, Kas., and the rapid increase in 
population in Kansas, have opened up a wide and important field of 
enterprise in the line of real estate. Among the prominent men in 
the city who are engaged in this business is Mr. C. W. Kerr. He 
was born in Bloomington, 111., in 1857, and came to this State with his 
father when he was four years of age. Here he has been reared and 
educated, first attending the common schools, and later the business 
college in Kansas City, Mo. He then followed tilling the soil for a 
certain length of time, and then embarked in the commission business 
in Denver, Colo., where he remained two years. He then returned to 
Kansas, and has been in the real estate business since, under the firm 
title of Cox & Kerr. They first did business chiefly with their own 
property, but now they do a general broker business also. That which 
has contributed largely to their success has been the thoroughly re- 
liable and methodical business principles which have governed their 
dealing with this, community, and established for them a popular fa- 
vor which strict probity alone can secure. In his political views Mr. 
KeiT is a Democrat. He was married to Miss Anna Armentrout, and 
by her became the father of two children: Edna and Willie. Mr. 
Kerr has ever taken a lively interest in all that concerns the city, and 
is an enterprising citizen. He is proud to say that he is a member of 



> \ 



4t 



676 



HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



uo secret organizations. [For sketch of parents see biography of H. 
N. Kerr.] 

James W. Kerr is an Ohioan by birth, but was reared in the State 
of Kansas, and since his residence in AVyandotte County has identified 
himself with every interest. His birth occurred in January, 1848, 
and he is the second of the following family of children: Sarah (whose 
husband is a farmer and horticulturist of this State), James W., 
Laura (who is also married, her husband being an agriculturist and 
fruit -grower of this region), Emma (whose husband is in the same bus- 
iness), Corydon (who is a real estate dealer of Kansas City, Kas.), and 
Lester (who is a farmer by occupation, but is now on a tour in the 
Rocky Mountains). The parents of these children were born in Ohio, 
and are still living, the father being a farmer by occupation. James 
W. Kerr attended the common schools of Ohio, and has since been a 
warm friend of education and believes in the employment of compe- 
tent teachers, and especially teachers who do not make the calling a 
stepping-stone to some other profession. He started out in life for 
himself at the age of eighteen years, a poor boy, but by the industry, 
perseverance and prudence which have ever characterized his disposi- 
tion he has made a success of his life. He was eight years of age when 
his parents came with him to Wyandotte County, Kas., at which time the 
country was almost a wilderness, inhabited by the Wyandotte Indians 
and various wild animals. Kansas City, Kas., had hardly 100 houses, 
and as the '" Border Warfare" had just come to a close, the country 
was in a very lawless condition and the prospect for the early settler 
was indeed a dismal one. All the trouble, vicissitudes and hardships 
he has passed through have been inadequate to quell his energy, and 
although the grasshopper scourge destroyed all the crops, yet Mr. 
Kerr's faith in the future prosperity of the country did not waver. 
The land around Kansas City, Kas., could be purchased for $12 or 
$15 per acre, and where Mr. Kerr now resides it was worth only 15 
or $6. The wonderful growth and prosperity of the country is in a 
great measure owing to just such men as Mr. Kerr, who had the hard- 
ihood to stay and make a home for his family, notwithstanding the 
many obstacles he had to surmount, and he has lived to see his farm of 
13'2 acres, for which he paid $40 per acre, reach a value of $800 per 
acre. He raises a large amount of fruit, such as apples, peaches, pears, 
cherries, grapes, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries, to which he 
devotes thirty acres of his land. His residence is pleasant, neat and com- 
modious, and on this farm, which they have toiled so hard to win, he and 



"^ 



his wife expect to spend the rest of their days. His marriage to Miss 
Elizabeth Johnson took place April 5, 1880, and to them have been 
born four children: Hanford (aged ten years), Fowler (aged eight), Ma- 
bel (aged three), and an infant. Mr. Kerr is independent in his polit- 
ical views, and always endeavors to support men of principle and 
honor. He has always been liberal in the support of worthy enter- 
prises, and is a man who commands the respect of all who know him. 
G. W. Killmer, merchant, Argentine, Kas. Well directed energy 
and honorable dealings always tell in business, as indeed, in every thing 
else. Mr. Killmer has conducted a very prosperous business in Ar- 
gentine since 1885, and during that time his trade has advanced by 
rapid strides, until to-day he is in the enjoyment of perhaps the finest 
trade in the city. He owes his nativity to Lebanon County, Penn., 
where his birth occurred on November 7, 1851, and is a son of John and 
Catherine (Arrants) Killmer, natives also of that State. The parents 
emigrated to Indiana in 1853, located in Fulton County, where the 
father, mother and one daughter died. Emma L. Killmer died Jann 
ary 12, the mother February 17, and the father March 19, 188U. Of their 
ten children, eight are now living, but are married and scattered in differ- 
ent parts of the country: Mrs. Scharff (resides in. Logansport, Ind.), 
James M. (city mayor of Rosedale, Kas.), Charles (in Kewanna, Ful- 
ton County, Ind.), John (Monticello, Ind.), Frank E. (Muscatine, Iowa), 
Mrs. Alice Graud (of Logansport, Ind.), and Henry (of Frankport. 
Ind.). All the sons are in business of their own. G. Wi. Killmer was 
educated in the common schools of Fulton County (his parents be- 
ing among the pioneers), and conned his lessons seated on the old fash- 
ioned slab benches. In 1873 he went to Terre Haute, Ind., was em- 
ployed by the Howe Sewing Machine Company, and remained with this 
company for about two years at Logansport and Terre Haute. He fol- 
lowed this business for various companies for fourteen years, and 
then in 1881 started out as an auctioneer in Terre Haute, and traveled 
throughout the country. Resettled in Rosedale, Kas., in July, 1882, 
embarked in the mercantile business, and was about the first merchant 
of that place. He continued business here until the rolling-mill 
failed in 1884, and in March of the following year moved to Argen- 
tine, where he has since carried on business very successfully. He is 
the present assessor of Argentine, is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, charter member of K. of P. lodge, A. O. U. W., Select 
Knights, Eastern Star, Iron Hall, Degree of Honor of A. O. U. W. 
He was married in 1877 to Miss Katie C. Lawrence, of Vigo County, 



^. 



-K »|^ 



^ 




Ind., and three children are the result of this union: Edith, Stella 
and George E. The father of our subject was a merchant all his life. 

James M. Killmer, mayor of Rosedale and a successful merchant 
of that place, owes his nativity to Schuylkill County, Penn., where he 
was born on October 13, 1845, and is a son of John and Catharine Kill- 
mer. He passed his boyhood and youth in Kewanna, Ind., whither he 
had gone with his parents when a child, and was reared on his father's 
farm. On January 24, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, Eighty- seventh 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until July, 1865. He was with 
Sherman on his campaign from Chattanooga, Tenn., to Atlanta, Ga. , 
and during all thattiiue was never wounded or taken prisoner, although 
in some very close places. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ky. 
He then returned to Kewanna, Fulton County, Ind., where he engaged 
in general merchandising with his father, remaining in business there 
until 186y, when he emigrated to Kansas and located in Topeka, and 
was there busy contracting in V)rick and stone, erecting some of the 
largest buildings in the city at that time. Five years later he removed 
to Great Bend, Kas., where he continued contracting for four years, and 
then carried on the same business at different places in Colorado. In 
1882 he came to Rosedale, bought an interest in a general mercantile es- 
tablishment, located here, and here he has since remained. He is a suc- 
cessful business man and practices those principles of fairness and liber- 
ality, which are bound to hold and make more custom. Mr. Killmer's 
father before him was a merchant, and died at Kewanna, Ind., where 
the mother also died. Both were natives of Pennsylvania and of Ger- 
man descent. The father was a member of the A. F. & A. M. and the 
I. O. O. F. , and in politics was a Republican. James M. Killmer was 
elected city clerk in 1883, and served in that capacity until elected 
mayor in April, 1890. He was married January 1, 1884, to Miss Mary 
Stadler of Rosedale, and two children are the fruits of this union: 
May and James. Mr. Killmer is a member of the A. F. & A. M. , belong- 
ing to the Chapter. He is an Odd Fellow and also an A. O. U. W. 
In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Killmer is one of six sons: Charles, 
John, George. Frank and Henry, all merchants, and he also has four 
sisters, two now living: Mary and Alice. 

Fields Kindred, farmer and stock-raiser, Edwardsville, Kas. 
Among the representative families of this county none are more fa- 
vorably known or highly respected than that to which the subject of 
this sketch belongs. He was originalh' from the Blcie-Grass State, 
his birth occurring in Madison County, in 1825, and was the sixth of 



^^ 



_ la ^ 







twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity, born to the marriage of 
William and Mary (Garland) Kindred. William Kindred was also a 
native of Madison County, Ky., his birth occurring about 1794, and he 
was one of eight children: Nancy, Polly, Elizabeth, Nathaniel, 
Martin, David and John, born to William Kindred and wife, both 
natives of England. William Kindred, Sr., came to America at 
an early day, and served under Washington in the Revolutionary War. 
His brother Edward was a Baptist preacher, and though he became 
blind, still continued to preach. The brothers and sisters of our sub- 
ject are named as follows: Permelia Garland, Anderson, Sarilda, Syl- 
vester, Elzira, Joshua, Julinia, Caleb and Daniel B. Fields Kindred 
passed his boyhood and youth in Kentucky, and was married in 1852 
to Miss Margaret A. Prather, daughter of John M. Prather, of Fayette 
County, Ky. , by whom he bad seven children, live of whom are still 
living: Mary E. (wife of James Wilson, of Raytown, Mo.), Mildred 
(wife of H. H. Saunders, of Platte County, Mo.), John W. (of Emmet, 
Wyandotte County, Kas. ), Charles (of lola, Allen Count3',Kas. ), and Lu- 
ther P. (also of lola, Kas.), Mr. Kindred came to Jackson County, Mo., 
in November, 1859, and resided in Clay County, Mo., until 1870, when 
he located on his present farm, consisting of 180 acres of good tillable 
land. Mrs. Kindred is a member of the Christian Church. Socially 
Mr. Kindred is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and also the F. M. 
B. A. at Edwardsville. 

Joseph E. Kinsella is foreman of the hog- killing gang for Swift 
& Co., at Kansas City, Kas. He was born in Muscatine, Iowa, April 
21, 1857, being a son of John and Catherine (Carroll) Kinsella, both 
of whom were born in Waterford, Ireland, their marriage taking place 
in their native land about 1846. In 1849 they emigrated to America, 
and after residing in Chillicothe, Ohio, for a number of years, they 
removed to St. Louis, Mo., and in 1856 to Muscatine, Iowa, going in 
1859 to Memphis, Tenn., and in 1861 returning to St. Louis. Two 
years later they removed to Chicago, where the father died September 
1, 1888, and the mother September 21, 1889. Joseph E. Kinsella 
accompanied his parents to the above named cities, his early education 
being chiefly obtained in the city of Chicago. In 1869, or at the 
early age of twelve years, he entered the Kreigh Packing House, but 
at the end of three years became employed in a like establishment, 
owned by Small Bros., and two years later entered the services of 
John Morrell & Co., pork packers, i-emaining with this company for 
one year. In 1872 he came to Kansas City, but a week later returned 

1-^ ' "^ ^ 






Al. 




to Chicago, and went to work for the packing firm of Ciilbertson & 
Blair, three months later becoming an employe of Philip Armour. 
He worked in his packing-house until 1877, but in the fall of that 
year returned to Kansas City, and was in the employ of Plankinton & 
Armour, for seven months. He next went to Hannibal, Mo., and 
after working for two months for the Hannibal Dressed Beef Com- 
pany, he, in May, 1878, went to St. Louis, and during the harvest 
season, following, he harvested in Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. In 
the fall he returned to Chicago, and again secured employment with 
the Armour Packing Company, a year later entering Higgin's Packing 
House, with which he remained for five months. In the spring of 
1 880 he sailed on the Great Lakes, chiefly in the capacity of a fireman, 
but in the fall of that year he secured employment with the Chicago 
Packing & Provision Company, with which he worked for four months. 
During the summer of 1881 he was an along shores man on the 
Chicago River, but in the fall he re-entered the employ of Armour, 
and this time remained with him one year. In the fall of 1882 he 
went to Sabula, Iowa, and for four months labored in the packinghouse 
of Jones & Stiles, after which he once more returned to Chicago, and 
for a few weeks was employed by Hagan & Co. In the spring of the 
same year, the same firm sent him to Omaha, being three months in 
the Boyd Packing House, and the following nine months were spent 
in Sioux City, Iowa, being in a similar establishment, owned by James 
E. Booge. The three months succeeding March, 1884, he was in the 
employ of Armour, at Kansas City, but in July, 1884, returned to 
his former employer, Mr. Booge. at Sioux City, this time remaining 
with him six months. He next went to Omaha, and soon after to Cedar 
Rapids, and finally back to Chicago once more. From the fall of 
1884, for a year and a half, he worked for Armour, in Kansas City, 
two months in the spring of 1886, residing in Chicago, working for 
Moran, Healy & Co. Ottumwa, Iowa, was next the scene of his opera- 
tions, six weeks being spent in the employ of Morrell & Co., his 
former Chicago (»mployers. From that time until February, 1887, he 
was in Armour's Packing House of Kansas City. The following six 
months he was in Kansas City, a member of the fire department, 
thereafter spending nine months with the Allcutt Packing Company, 
the three subsequent months being with Armour, Cudahy Packing 
Company, of Omaha, Neb. After a short time spent in Chicago, 
Sioux City and St. Paul, he returned to the former place, going from 
there in October, 1888, to Duluth, Minn., then to St. Paul, and in the 



^; 




fall to Kansas City, working live months with Swift & Co. He ne.^t 
spent a month in Sioux City, a week in Chicago, a week in. New York 
City, where he took passage on a steamer, the "Hindoo," and went 
to London, England, from there to Havre, France, and from that place 
returned to New York, thence to Sioux City, two months later to 
Chicago, where he spent fonr months in the employ of T. J. Tipton 
& Co., packers. In November. 1889, he returned to Kansas City, 
since which time he has been foreman of the hog-k'lling department 
of Swift & Co. He is thoroughly familiar with every feature of the 
packing-house business, having devoted twenty-one years to it. and he 
is discharging his present duties in a very satisfactory manner. He 
was married in November, 1886, to Miss Maggie Joyce, a native of 
Pennsylvania, born in 1866. He is a stanch Republican in his polit 
ical views, being a member of the Republican County Central Com- 
mittee, and is a first-class citizen and has numerous fi-iends. 

Calvin E. Klein, blacksmith, Quindaro, Kas. Identified with the 
blacksmithing business of Wyandotte County, Kas., is Calvin E. 
Klein, who was born in Luzerne Coimty, Penti., December U, 1851, 
and who is the son of Leonard and Mary A. (Labour) Klein, the 
mother of English and the father of Holland-Dutch descent. The 
parents reared a family of eleven children — eight sons and three daugh- 
ters — six of whom are now living. The three elder sons served in the 
late war: W. C, Capt. J. H. and Lieut. G. W., and three besides our 
subject are engaged in blacksmithing: W. C. and M. L. in Wyandotte, 
and J. W. in Omaha. In 1877 Mr. Klein came to Kansas, from Penn- 
sylvania, and was living in Wyandotte at the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1880. Calvin E. Klein remained with his parents until 
seventeen years of age (assisting his father in the shop and working 
for different farmers), at which time he left home, and soon after en- 
tered the employ of the Snyder Bros.' contract shops of Williamsport, 
Penn., where he remained three years. At the expiration of that time 
he returned home, learned general blacksmithing, and worked with his 
father two years. At that time he started in business for himself, and 
shortly afterward was united in marriage with Miss Laura L. Preston, 
daughter of Rev. James L. and Caroline (Lukens) Preston. He then 
left the shop and engaged in agricultural pursuits for two years more. 
He then moved to Hughesville, opened his shop again, and some time 
later moved to the old home place, his father having moved West. 
One year later, or in 1879, ol^r subject moved to Wyandotte County 
and entered the railroad shops at Armstrong, where he remained only 



^1 



682 HISTOllY OF KANSAS. 



a short time. After this he purchased an old shop at Quindaro, tore 
this down, and built his present quarters, where he has carried on his 
trade ever since. He has built up a good business, generally running 
about five inen. He has a nice brick cottage of five rooms, and is the 
owner of an acre of ground. He is the father of eight children: 
Emma L., Mary E., J. Wilbur, Myra E., Calvin E., Elsie May, Boyd 
L. and Laura Mabel. Mrs. Klein is a member of the Congregational 
Church, and Mr. Klein is a Master Mason. Both are highly esteemed 
citizens. 

Phillip H. Knoblock. No foreign country has contributed more 
liberally to the population of the United States than has Germany, 
and the citizens she sends over are as a whole enterprising and indus- 
trious in a marked degree, a statement that is fully verified by the 
life of Phillip H. Knoblock, a prosperous and highly esteemed resi 
dent of Kansas City, Kas. His birth occurred in Germany, near the 
Rhine, July 20, 1835, being the son of Peter and Mary Knoblock. The 
first eighteen years of his life were passed in the old country, where 
he received a good common- school education, and learned the habits of 
industry and peserverance that have contributed so largely to his 
success in business. At the expiration of that time, Mr. Knoblock 
came to the United States, settling in Quindaro, and numbering 
among the pioneers in this section of the country. He resided in 
Topeka at the time the war commenced, but came to Kansas City, to 
assist in organizing what is known as the Thrasher Artillery, in which 
he was ensign, to serve three months. However, upon oft'ering for 
service at Topeka, they were refused admittance for a shorter period 
than three years. Mr. Knoblock then organized Company B, that 
was placed in the First Kansas Regiment, and was appointed orderly 
sergeant. They marched under Capt. Roberts, who was succeeded by 
Capt. Alden, under Col. Dutcher, and serving in the Missouri depart- 
ment of Gen. Logan's force. They engaged in the battle of Duck 
Spring, Mo., August 1, and fought at Wilson Creek, on the 10th of 
that month after which they returned to St. Louis, and finally settled 
in Lexington. After remaining there two months, they went to Leaven- 
worth, where they were given ten days' leave of absence, going to 
Lawrence to organize the Mexican Brigade. They marched to Fort 
Riley, Kas. , and from that point went first to Pittsburg Landing, 
and later to Corinth, Miss. From there they went to Columbus, Ky. , 
then to Trenton, Tenn., where they remained until ordered to Corinth. 
After particijaating in the second battle at Corinth, they followed the 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 683 



enemy to Kipley. Shortly after this. Gen. Grant took command, and 
they started with him on his famous march through the South, being 
selected to join the 5,000, who were to meet Gen. Forrest's eight sijuad 
force. The enemy not appearing, they marched to Memphis, Tenn., 
and in February, of 1805, went to Mulligan Bend. They took part in 
all the principal battles under Gen, Grant, and were mustered out of 
service at Leavenworth, Kas. , June 10, 1864. The subject of this 
sketch, after his return, was elected captain of the Kansas Militia, 
Twenty-third Regiment, Company F, Cavalry. They took part in 
Gen. Price's raid, and during that time he had charge of twenty eight 
companies. They were once more mustered out of service in Leaven- 
worth. After peace was again fully restored throughout the land, 
Mr. Knoblock came to Kansas City, Kas., engaging in contracting and 
building, an occupation that has continued to occupy his attention 
until a recent date, when he commenced the furnace business. Mr. 
Knoblock married Miss Margaret Moore in the month of November, 
1864. Miss Moore's birth occurred in Ohio, March 22, 1841, To 
this union were born seven children — five of whom are living at the 
present time, viz. : Mary A. , Nellie N,, Birdie, Frank H. and Edna, The 
subject of this sketch is a member of the Republican party. In 18(')7 
he was elected to the council, serving six years, and was also chosen 
school trustee for six years, and has served as superintendent of con- 
struction, and as city assessor. Mr. Knoblock is a member of Burn- 
side Post, No. 28, G. A. R. , also of Summenduwott Lodge No. 3, 

I, O, O. F. , in which he has reached the past grade. And he belongs 
to Wyandotte Encampment No. 9, in which he is past chief. He is a 
worthy, enterprising citizen, laboring to advance l)oth his own interests 
and those of the community in which he resides. 

Hermann Krueger. The family grocery trade of Kansas City, Kas. , 
is well represented by honorable business men who are full of enter- 
prise, and Mr. Krueger is one of those who holds a leading position in 
this line of business. He was born in Prussia, Germany, November 

II, 1839, to Christian and Eferseen (Hinze) Krueger, to whom were 
born a family of twelve chiklren: Augusta, Christian, William, Carl, 
Wilhelmina; Hermann and Bertha reaching maturity, but Augusta and 
Bertha have since died. Hermann is the only member of the family 
that came to America. The mother died in the early part of Novem- 
ber, 1876, and the father June 13, 1884. During his earlier years the 
latter acted as overseer of a large farm, but subsequently purchased a 
farm of his own, which he cultivated a great many years, becoming one 




of the wealthy men of his commnnity. For fifteen years prior to his 
death he led a retired life, and his last days were spent in peace and 
prosperity. The subject of this sketch attended school until he was 
fourteen years of age then began laboring on his father's farm, and 
at the age of eighteen years began serving an apprenticeship at the 
miller's trade. After he had become thoroughly familiar with this 
calling he followed it in the old country until 1867, then emigrated to 
America, embarking at Hamburg, April 20, and landing at Quebec, June 
22. Upon reaching the New World he came directly to Kansas, and 
for a year and a half he made his headquarters at Lawrence, being en- 
gaged during this time as a railway bridge carpenter. In 1869 he 
came to Kansas City, Kas., and after following the ice business for 
one season, he spent the following year as a clerk. He next engaged 
in car building in the shops of the Union Pacific Railway, and con- 
tinued in that capacity for four years, removing, in 1874, to Topeka, 
where for six months he acted as car inspector for the above mentioned 
road. Returning to Kansas City he again became employed as a car 
builder, and in 1876 he removed to Fort Scott, where his home con- 
tinued to be for three and a half years, being employed as car inspector 
for the Fort Scott & Gulf Railway. In 1880 he returned to Kansas 
City, and after working here as a house carpenter until the fall of 1882, 
he removed to Ottawa County, Kas.. and made his home on a farm for 
about nine months. At the end of this time he once more returned to 
this place, and after carpentering until 1884, he engaged in the grocery 
business at the corner of Eighth Street and Minnesota Avenue, and to the 
successful management of this business he has since given his time and 
attention. He is now one of the leading retail grocers of the city, and 
from the month of May, 1885, to 1888, he has been located at the cor- 
ner of Fifth Street and Armstrong Avenue. In 1888 he erected a two- 
story brick business block at No. 259 North Tenth Street, and in No- 
vember of that year he here opened a large grocery and meat-mai'ket, 
which be has conducted with excellent results up to the present time. 
His building comprises two good store rooms, one of which is occupied 
by his groceries and the other by both fresh and salt meats. His pat- 
ronage is large and he bids fair to become one of the wealthy men of 
the city. He was married June 21, 1870, to Miss Minnie Treptow, a 
native of Germany, who came to America on the same vessel as himself, 
but he was called upon to mourn her death November 19, 1873, and 
after remaining a widower until August 5, 1874, he was married to 
Miss Louisa Funk, who was born in Prussia, June 10, 1852, being a 







daughter of John and Susan (Hagemaim) Funk, to whom a family of 
six children were born, the following of whom are living: Carl, Fred- 
erick L. and Louisa. Frederick came to America in 1869^ Louisa in 
1872, and Carl in 1881, all being residents of Kansas City, Kas. The 
mother of Mrs. Krueger died April 9, 1865, and the father, who was a 
weaver by trade. May 12, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Krueger's marriage 
resulted in the birth of the following children: Lena Louisa (born July 
30, 1875, and died November 19, 1877), Otto (born February 17, 1877), 
Huldah Augusta (born October 26, 1878, and died January 3, 1882), 
Olga Hermina (born November 4, 1880), Imil (born June 10, 1882, 
and lived only a few hours), Julius Hermann (born July 13, 1884), 
Emma Wilhelmina (born July 9, 1886), and Frederick Hermann (born 
May 13, 1888). Mr. and Mrs. Krueger are worthy members of the 
German Methodist Church, and in his political views he is a Repub- 
lican. They are among the city's very best citizens and have a large 
circle of warm friends. 

Ambrose Key is one of the most extensive growers of small fruit, 
and is also one of the pioneers of this section. He has forty acres of 
land which he devotes to the raising of small fruits with the exception 
of three acres, and his profits on his berries, etc., nets him a handsome 
annual income. He came to this county in 1872 and commenced his 
present enterprise upon a limited scale, setting out about 1,200 
orchard trees, but in 1878 he branched into the small-fruit business, 
setting out seven acres of blackberries, ten of raspberries, two of 
strawberries, three of grapes, 750 bushes of gooseberries and cur- 
rants, 350 cherry trees, 200 plum trees and 600 peach trees, all of 
which are in good condition. In experimenting with raspberries and 
peach trees he found that planting the two together he made a suc- 
cess, for both have done well. He has found the Ben Davis apple to 
be the most profitable, the tree being hardy, prolific, and the apple a 
good keeper, but he also raises the Winesap and Winter Pippin for 
winter use, and the Early Harvest, Red Astrachan and Red June for 
summer use. He has almost all kinds, but thinks the above mentioned 
to be the most profitable for Kansas. He is not well pleased with 
Kansas as a peach-growing State, but is otherwise satisfied with the 
country. He is, without doubt, one of the most successful fruit- 
growers in the State, and he has recently become an honored mem- 
ber of the Missouri Valley Horticultural Society. He was born in 
Montgomery County, Ind., November 27, 1829, and was the eldest of 
sixteen children born to George and Rebecca (Mintor) Key, natives of 



^ 






HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



Virginia and New Jersey, respectively. At the age of teu years Am- 
brose was taken to Iowa, before the first land sale, and there his 
father entered aboiit 2,000 acres of land situated in the north bend of 
Louisa County, in what was known as Virginia Grove, where Ambrose 
was reared to manhood, following farming and stock-raising until, 
1855, when he embarked in the mercantile business in AVapello, con- 
tinuing until 1S5S, when he went to the Lone Star State, opening a 
lumber-yard, where he built up an extensive and paying trade, He 
manufactured lumber on the San Jacinto River, twelve miles above 
where Gen. Sam Houston whipped Santa Anna, and there he remained 
until 18(i8, when, owing to the ill feeling left in the South, and his 
poor health, he came to the North and made a visit to Kansas City, 
going afterward to St. Louis, being engaged in traveling for a grain 
firm. After remaining here one year, he made up a train and went to 
the southwest Indian country, where he stayed three years, regaining 
his health and making a good start in money matters. In 1872 he 
came to Wyandotte County, purchased his present farm of forty acres, 
and, as above stated, started his present fruit farm, which has brought 
him in good returns. He was married in 1858 to Miss Mary J. Gar- 
rett, a daughter of Col. Elisha Garrett, the founder of Garrettsville, 
Ohio, a manufacturing center. Mr. Garrett was a general manufact- 
urer of tools and wooden goods. To Mr. and Mrs. Key a family of 
four children were born: Sidney, Joseph, Nellie (a shorthand re 
porter in Denver, Colo. ), and Gertrude (a clerk in a loan office in 
Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Key is liberal in his political views, and, al- 
though not a member of any church, is a believer in religion, and is a 
strong supporter of enterprises that will prove of benefit to the county. 
He is charitable to the poor and distressed, and has always been found 
ready to extend the right hand of fellowshijJ to the deserving. 

The Keystone Iron Works, an important plant or enterprise of 
Kansas City, Kas. , is an institution which in push and enterprise of 
its most excellent management, and for its capacity to execute large 
orders, the location and financial push and resources, stands at the top 
of such enterprises in the Southwest. This plant was inaugurated on 
a small scale, but upon solid basis, in 1870, by Mr. James Smith, the 
present able and efficient president. The business was incorporated 
in 1881, on a capital of 1200,000. and the following year T. B. Bul- 
lene, the head of the renowned and well-known dry-goods firm of Bul- 
lene, Moore, Emery & Co., became a large shareholder and vice- 
president. The Keystone Iron Works carried on business on West 



-^ — "^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



687 



Eighth Street, Kansas City, Mo., and in 1889 they removed to their 
present site. Their area of ground covers 120x745 feet, and is entirely 
covered by this enterprising plant. They comprise a machine shop, 
of which Mr. Davis is foreman, and which is supplied with cranes, 
lathes, bores, drills, planers, etc., and the power which a 100-horse 
engine supplies. The foundry of which Mr. Cowie is the able fore- 
man, has a thirty horse-power engine, and a cupola of thirty-ton daily 
capacity. A pattern-shop, whicli is presided over by Mr. A. Stall- 
berg, a designer of merit, has its own engine of twelve horse-power. 
The blacksmith shop, of which Mr. Whit Moran is foreman, has also 
a warehouse. Their shipping facilities are first class, and they have 
a platform space of 750 feet. The annual production consists of steam 
engines, boilers, machinery of all kinds, building fronts, bridges, archi- 
tectural and ornamental iron and brass work. Their growing and ex- 
tensive custom extends to Utah and on to the "land of the Montezu 
mas," Mexico, through Texas, Indian Territory, Wyoming, Nebraska, 
Dakota, and many other Western and Middle States. This industry 
has met with signal success, and as mamrfacturers of architectural iron 
work and general iron and brass founders, their goods have a special 
reputation for strength, durability, economy and perfect working. 
Closely identified with Kansas City, Kas., the Keystone Iron Works is 
deservedly awarded the highest consideration. Mr. Lathrop B. Bul- 
lene is the efficient secretary and treasurer. For biography of officials 
and foreman of this enterprising plant, notice particularly the sketches 
given in the History of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kas. 

C. M. Lackey, foreman of the butterine department of Armour 
Packing House, Kansas City, Kas., has filled his present position for 
six years, and in a very able and satisfactory way. He owes his na 
tivity to Indiana, his birth occurring in Indianapolis, in 1855, and 
there he grew to man's estate and secured a good practical education. 
He was reared to the arduous duties of the farm, and when twenty 
seven or twenty-eight years of age he left the parental roof and 
entered the employ of Armour's Packing Company, at Kansas City, 
Kas. He entered as a laborer, and was promoted to the position of 
foreman in 1887, and still holds that important position. He sees to 
making of butterine and oleo oil, and is an expert tester of the former. 
He was married in Kansas City, Kas. , to Miss J. S. Dormoise, a native 
of Williams County, Ohio, and the fruits of this union have been one 
child— Charles. Mr. Lackey adheres strictly to the Republican party 
in his political views, and is one of the first-class citizens of the county. 



:n^ 



JVJ 



()8S 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



He resides at 316 Group Avenue. Socially he is a member of tlie 
I. O. O. F., and the A. O. U. W.; is the son of James and S. (Murry) 
Lackey, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Pennsylvania, 
and hoth of German extraction. They passed the most of their days 
in Indiana. 

Dr. Joseph Laudou, physician, Vance, Kas. Dr. Joseph Laudou, 
a physician of more than ordinary ability, was born on November 28, 
1834, and is the son of G. W. H. and Caroline (Howe) Laudon, the 
father born in Virginia, in 1800, and the mother in Kentucky, in 1805. 
The Laudons are of Scotch-English origin, and the ancestors came to 
America in early colonial days. The grandfather of our subject, John 
Laudon, was a Revolutionary soldier and lived to a ripe old age. The 
Howes were of English descent. Caroline Howe's mother was of 
French and Indian extraction. G. W. A. Laudon remained in Vir- 
ginia until early manhood, and studied theology and medicine. He 
went from his native State to Kentucky, and there in 1825 he was 
married. After residing there for a number of years, practicing his 
profession, and occasionally occupying the piilpit, he moved to Frank- 
lin County, Ohio, then afterward to Westerville, locating about twelve 
miles north of Columbus. He was one of the founders of the Starling 
Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, and here the most of his children — 
hve boys and three girls — were born and reared. While in Ohio, he 
and his wife agreed to a mutual sejjaration, his wife going to her 
people in the Soulh, and the Doctor married Miss Elizabeth W. Ladd, 
the daughter of old Squire Ladd, who was a half-breed Wyandotte 
Indian,#and whose wife was a full blood. The rest of the Ladd girls 
i married the Walkers, Lydia married Matthew Walker, Mary married 
Joel Walker, who built one of the first business houses in Kansas City, 
Mo. After his marriage with Miss Ladd, the Doctor grew into close 
relation with the tribe. In 1854 he came to Wyandotte with his 
family, remained but a short time, as one blacksmith shop constituted 
the early business house in the town, and one of the Ladd girls taught 
school in an old log school-house out about Tenth Street. This was the 
first school of any kind in the county. But one child was born to the 
Doctor's second marriage, Elizabeth, who died when young. In a 
few months after his arrival here, he went to St. Joseph, Mo., and 
bought some property, after which he went to Mosquito Creek, 
in Doniphan County, and laid out the town of Mount Vernon. He 
resided in St. Joseph, and was a remarkably successful physician and 
surgeon, enjoying the most enviable reputation in that part of the 



f: 



A 



4* 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 689 



State. Near the beginmng of the war he was drawu into politics, and 
was a candidate for State auditor on the Lincoln ticket. In the 1800 
campaign he was one of the Republican presidential electors, and one 
year later he was commissioned post surgeon at St. Joseph, and ac- 
companied his regiment. At Bee Creek bridge he was slightly wounded 
in the face, but was with his regiment and at the post until some time 
during 1864, when, on account of his health, he resigned. His death 
occurred soon after. His body was brought to Wyandotte and buried 
with Masonic honors, at the Huron Place, he being a Koyal Arch 
Mason. Thus ended the life of one of the pioneers of Wyandotte 
County. A man of strict morality, orthodox in his views, a life long 
member of the Methodist Church, a profound student, and a line, so- 
cial gentleman. He often contributed to the papers and magazines, 
with a tendency to the poetic, and having a high appreciation of the 
liner arts and letters, he collected during his life-time a magniticeut 
library, and to each of his children his administrators were directed to 
select 200 volumes, as were best adapted to their pursuits and profes- 
sions. To each of his children he gave as good an education as circum- 
stances would permit, and each of his sons held a life scholarship in a 
well-known University. His son, Dr. Joseph Laudou, was born in Frank- 
lin County, Ohio, and was reared in the Southern States. His first recol- 
lections date back to Westville, Ohio, where he, as a small boy, at- 
tended the district school, and when eleven years of age, he came to 
Kansas. He went to St. Joe with his father, afterward went to Ohio 
and Kentucky, and later attended Pope's Medical College in St. Louis, 
graduating from that institution in the ear and eye department. At the 
breaking out of the war he joined Col. Strong's regiment in St. Joe, 
and assisted his father in the hospital. He was married there on April 
9, 1860, to Miss Josephine M. Condon, and their marriage was blessed 
by the birth of three children — two daughters and a son. The latter, 
J. S. C. Laudon, grew up and graduated in the Christian Brothers' 
College in St. Louis, and then worked for the Singer Sewing Machine 
Company for some time. In 1886 he went to Australia, and is now in 
Melborne. Dr. Laudon was in service in the Federal army, as were 
also his brothers, George, Leon and Clay. The latter was killed at 
Fort Donelson, and George, who was three times wounded, died in 
Louisville of his wounds. Leon was in the Missouri regiment, and 
came through without a scratch. The Doctor was at Bee Creek, Lex- 
ington, Carthage and a number of skirmishes. At Lexington he 
was wounded in the side, and altogether he was in the service about 



690 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



four years, but only one year with his regiment, being in the hospital 
service at St. Joe. After the war closed he went to Lexington, Mo. , 
practiced here about two years, and then went to Greentown, remained 
one year, thence to Napoleon, and two years later to St. Joe. From 
there he went to Leavenworth, then to Lenape, Eas., from there to 
De Soto, and then to Prairie Centre, where he remained until the fall 
of 1875, after which he came to his present place of residence. He 
was married, the second time, to Mrs. Mary M. Ish, nee Rupe, a sister of 
Dr. Rupe, of San Francisco. Since coming here. Dr. Laudon has en- 
joyed a good practice, and is busy all the time. He owns a nice little 
farm, which he devotes to gardening and fruit-growing. In principle 
he is Democratic, but votes for the best man in local affairs. 

E. B. Lane, jeweler, Armourdale, Kas. This well-known and pop- 
ular jewelry establishment of Mr. E. B. Lane, is one of the most prom- 
inent in the city, and Mr. Lane has always been successful as a business 
man, being practical and skilled as a watchmaker and jeweler. He 
established his business iu Kansas City, Kas., in January, 1888, and 
has carried it on ever since with unusual success. He was born in 
Bowling Green, Ky., on January 4, 1865, and is the son of Samuel 
and Elvira (Barnett) Lane, natives also of Kentucky. The father fol- 
lowed farming all his life, and died in 1873. E. B. Lane received a 
common-school education in Bowling Green, Ky., was early trained to 
the duties of the farm, and remained on the same uutil sixteen years 
of age. He then began learning the jeweler's trade, and served an ap- 
prenticeshij) at Nashville, Tenn. He came West in 1883, located at 
Humansville, Mo., and there remained for about four years. In 1888 
he came to Armourdnle, and immediately embarked in business for 
himself. Previous to this, however, he had been engaged in business 
in Kansas City, Mo., but later moved to this city, where he has since 
remained. He is a thoroughly practical jeweler, and devotes his entire 
attention to the general business of his house, and satisfactorily pro- 
vides for the wants and tastes of his numerous customers. He was 
married in 1889 to Miss Carrie C. McFarland, a native of Leaven- 
worth, Kas. Socially Mr. Lane is a member of the A. O. U. W. 

Henry Larson. Among the important industrial enterprises which 
contribute to the commercial standing of the thriving town of Kansas 
City, Kas., is the grocery establishment of Mr. Larson. He has been 
in business in this place since 1885, but has only conducted his 
present establishment since December 8, 1889. He was born in Hal- 
land, Sweden, February 2, 1853, his father's name being Lars Hanson, 



\^ 6 r- 



"^ <5 1.^ -^ 9 ^ 




and the mother's maiden uame Johanua Borgsou, to whom a family 
of eight children were born — six sons and two daughters — only four of 
the sons being now alive. The names of all are: Emma Sophia, 
Anna Johanna, John B. , Henry, Severin, Jacob, Adolph, and a son 
that died in infancy. Severin died at the age of eighteen years; 
Emma S. resides in Sweden; Anna J. in Denmark, and John B. . 
Henry, Jacob and Adolph came to America, and John B. and Jacob 
reside in Kansas City, Mo. , and the other two in Kansas City, Kas. 
The father of these children, who was a carpenter by trade, died in 
Sweden in 1882, but his widow still survives him. The subject of 
this sketch spent his boyhood in the country of his birth, and between 
the ages of seven and fourteen years was an attendant of school, dur- 
ing which time he made his home in the family of a Lutheran minister, 
for whom he did chores to pay for his board and clothes. At the age 
of fourteen he went to Denmark, where he remained for four and a half 
years, being employed as a coachman for a minister. Eeturning to 
Sweden, he spent the winter of 1872-73 with his parents, and in the 
spring of the latter year bade adieu to home and friends and started 
for America in search of a fortune. He embarked at Gothenburg on 
the " City of Paris." and landed at New York, almost immediately 
joining his brother, John B. , in Montgomery County, Peun. , the lat- 
ter having come to this country two years previou-sly. He remained 
in that vicinity for about eight months, helping to build a railroad. 
In the fall of 1873 he went to Ontario, Canada, where he worked as 
a farm hand for about eighteen months, or until the spring of 1874, 
at which time he and the .son of the man for whom he worked, went 
to the northern part of Ontario, and there Mr. Larson entered 160 
acres of land, and during the one year that he remained on this place 
he made such improvements as he could. In the spriug of 1875 he 
went to a point six miles west of Niagara Falls, and for two years took 
care of work horses for a contractor named Blicksley, after which, in 
1879, he came West as far as Kansas City, Mo., to which place his 
brother named above, had in the meantime come. At this place he 
secured a position as clerk in a grocery store, and at the expiration of 
three months, he and his brother, who had been employed in a like 
establishment, opened a grocery store of theii' own on the corner of 
Ninth and Wyoming Streets, and continued in business there about 
five years, being very successful. In 1885, with the money they had 
thus earned, they purchased a lot on the corner of Second and James 
Streets, Kansas City. Kas. . and upon it erected a two-story brick 



1' 



J^ 



^H. 



692 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



business block, in which, when completed, opened up a first-class 
grocery store. A good jsatronage was soon accorded them, and the 
store has since had a prosperous career. In July, 1888, Henry sold 
his interest in the store to his younger brother, Adoljah, who had come 
to America in 1880. Meanwhile, in 1885, he had purchased two va- 
cant lots, which were side by side, on the corner of Fourth and La- 
fayette Streets, Edgerton Place, and upon one of these, in 1886, he 
erected a handsome residence, which he has since occupied as his 
home. Upon the other, in 1889, he erected a business block, which 
has two excellent store rooms, and in one of these, on December 8, 
1889, he began selling groceries, and it is to its management that his 
attention is now given. He has one of the cleanest and neatest estab 
lishments in the city, and although he has only been in business at his 
present stand for a short time, he has, by his accommodating spirit, 
energy and honesty, biiilt up a lirst-class trade. He is one of the 
men who is boirnd to succeed in life, and is agreeable and courteous in 
his treatment to all. He uses his other business room as a ware and 
storage room, and besides his groceries, he carries a lirst-class line of 
meats, both salt and fresh. He was married, July 20, 1882, to Miss 
Hannah Sophia Linnarson, who was born in Sweden, and came to 
the United States in 1874. Their marriage has resulted in the birth 
of three children: Hermann Leonard (born September 2, 1883), Es- 
ther Maria Sojjhia (born December 16, 1885), and Johanna Louisa 
(born August 14, 1887). Mr. and Mrs. Larson are members of the 
Lutheran Church, and are upright citizens. Mrs. Larson was born 
in Gothenburg, Sweden, March 17, 1860, her parents being John and 
Maria (Olson) Linnarson. The latter had a family of ten children, 
of whom Mrs. Larson was the eldest — live sons and four daughters 
now living, their names being Anna Sophia,' Josephine. Charlotte, 
Maria Helena, Charley, Oscar, John, Edwin, Ernest and John (who 
died at the age of one year). In 1872 the father came to America 
and established a home for his wife and children, who soon after 
joined him in Kansas City, Mo. In the spring of 1889 they removed 
to a point near Oldsburg, Kas., where they now reside on a farm. 

Swen Adolph Larson has been connected with the grocery interests 
of Kansas City, Kas., since August, 1887. He is a native of Sweden, 
born September 29, 1859, and is a son of Lars Hanson and Johanna 
(Borgson) Larson, being the youngest of their eight children, of whom 
notice is given in the sketch of Henry Larson. Swen Adolph spent 
his boyhood on the old home farm, which lies only one mile fi'om the 



?S^ 



k. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 693 



shore of the Cattegat Chanuel, and from his earliest boyhood had a 
great desire to become a sailor, which was probably caused by the 
scenes presented to him along the coast, for at times the waters, stud- 
ded with vessels from many parts of the world, presented a fascinating 
picture. He attended school until he was fourteen years of age, re- 
ceiving a good knowledge of the ordinary branches of learning. At 
the age of fifteen years, he started out in the world to do for him- 
self and went directly from his home to Warburg, where he se- 
cured a seaman's permit, after which he at once secured a posi- 
tion on a sailing vessel called "Elizabeth,'' which was commanded 
by Cajit. C. G. Borgsion, remaining with him on the Cattegat Channel 
for three seasons, and during this time endured all the pleasures and 
hardships incident to the life of a sailor. Tiring of the sea, he re- 
turned home, and, after a short visit with his parents, he embarked for 
America, April 3, 1880, goiog by steamer from Warburg to Gothenburg, 
thence upon another steamer to Hull, England, after which he went 
by rail to Liverpool; from this place he sailed, April 12, for the United 
States, in the steamer '• Hellwitsea." He reached New York April 
23, and on the following day left that city for Houtsdale, Penn., where 
for three months he worked in a coal mine. He then went to Johns- 
town, Penn., in the vicinity of which place he helped to build a rail- 
road, the time spent there being about four months, and in January, 
1881, he came West, to Kansas City, Mo., and entered the employ of 
his brothers, John B. and Henry, who had come thither some time be- 
fore, and established a grocery store on the corner of Ninth and Wy- 
oming Street. He remained with them as a clerk some six years, and 
then, with the money he had saved out of his earnings, he engaged in 
business for himself. In August, 1887, he and his brother Jacob bought 
from their brother John B. a grocery, at No. 1527 West Ninth Street, and 
although it is now conducted by Jacob, Swen A. still owns an interest 
in the same. July 6, 1889, he bought from his brother Henry the 
grocery at No. 228 North James Street, and is now devoting his whole 
attention to its management. It is located in a good two-story 
brick building, 25x50 feet, and is one of the largest and best-stocked 
establishments of the kind in Kansas City. Mr. Larson has conducted 
it for about one year, and its sales for this time amount to nearly 
$25,000. Mr. Larson possesses every essential necessary to make a 
successful business man, is kind and agreeable in his manners, and 
has a large number of friends. He was married. May 29, 1889, to 
Miss Charlotte Linnarson, who was born in Sweden, June 11, 1865, 



^1 




her parents being John and Mary Linnarson, who came to America 
about 1872, and settled in Kansas City, Kas. , where Mrs. Larson 
grew to womanhood. She and her husband are members of the Lu- 
theran Church of Kansas City, Mo. , and are well known as honorable 
and upright people. 

The La Rue Hardware Company of Kansas City, Kas. , was estab- 
lished in 1888, with J. H. and George A. La Rue as owners. They 
are dealers in shelf and builder's hardware, tinware, granite iron ware, 
gasoline, cooking and heating stoves, galvanized iron work, roofing and 
spouting, etc. They do a fine business, and are prosperous, enterpris- 
ing men. J. H. La Rue, the senior member of the firm, is a native of 
Adams County, Penn.. born on July 21, 1862. His parents, Solomon 
and Sarah (Alicker) La Rue, are natives of the Keystone State, and 
his paternal grandfather, Henry La Rue, was a native of France and 
an early settler of Pennsylvania, where he died at the age of eighty- 
four years. He was a farmer by occupation. The maternal grand- 
father, Abraham Alicker, was born in Holland, and also died in Penn- 
sylvania. These grandparents came over and purchased land fi'om 
William Penn. The parents of our subject are both j-et living and are 
residents of Adams County, Penn. The father has been a farmer most 
all his life, and is now comparatively retired, although largely interested 
in banking interests at Dillsburg. Penn. J. H. La Rue was educated 
at Millersville Normal School of Pennsylvania, from which he gradu- 
ated in 1880, and he afterward taught school for five years. Being 
dissatisfied with this occupation he decided to take Horace Greeley's 
advice and go West. Accordingly in 1885 he started and never stopped 
until he reached Kansas City, Mo. He made up his mind to do any- 
thing to get a start, and so entered the employ of Richard & Conover 
Hardware Company, as a roustabout at $1.50 per day. Here he re- 
mained for three years. Inside of eighteen months he had worked him- 
self up to the third highest position in the house. In 1888 he decided to 
open uj) business for himself, and has since carried it on with his brother 
George. Both gentlemen have a thorough practical knowledge of all 
departments of their business, while their promptness and reliability 
mnst mark them as most desirable with whom to establish business re- 
lations in this line. J. H. La Rue is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

J. H. Lasley is the present capable surveyor of Wyandotte County, 
Kas. , and although he has been a resident of this section of the coun- 
try about eight years, he came from the Buckeye State, where he 
was born in 1840. After attending the common schools and acquir- 






I 




ing a good practical education, he took a coiirse in engineering and 
surveying in Gallipolis, Ohio Academy, graduating from this institu 
tion with a thorough knowledge of the work before him. He entered 
the Federal army in 18G0 with a number of schoolmates, becoming 
a member of Coiipany H, Fifty third Ohio Infantry, and entered reg- 
ular service on October 2G, 1861, and in the battle of Shiloh, in which 
he took an active part, he was severely wounded. He was honorably 
discharged, but was unable to walk for three years. On January 8, 
1862, he was made second lieutenant, and served as such until he was 
wounded and furloughed home. He laid on the battle-field for two 
days, a part of the time exposed to the fire of the two armies. After 
remaining in the hospital at Covington (Ky.) for some time, he was 
discharged by order of Secretary Stanton. After the war he remained 
in his native State, where he served one term as county surveyor of 
his native county, then engaged in the dry- goods business until the fall 
of 1866, when he came to Missouri and located in Cass County, where 
he farmed for some twelve years, after which he moved to Kansas City, 
Mo. At the end of three years he came to Eosedale, Kas., and here 
was chosen to the position of county surveyor in the fall of 1883, a 
position he has filled for six consecutive years, and was also engineer 
of the city for one year after the consolidation of the three towns. 
He has proved a very efficient officer, and is the thorough master of his 
business. He was married in Missouri to Miss Rachel A. Custer, by 
whom he has a family of six children: One boy, C. O. Lasley and five 
daughters: Hallie, Katie, Myrtle, Pearl and Eachel. The son is now 
eighteen years of age. Mr. Lasley is a Republican in his political views, 
and socially is a member of the A. O. U. W., the K. of P.. the G. A. 
R. and the Union Veterans' Union. He is quite well fixed, financially, 
and is the owner of property in Rosedale, Bonner and Kansas City, 
Kas. His father was an Ohioan, but was of German descent, and was 
a Whig in politics. His father was a native German and an Aboli- 
tionistln his views. The mother of the subject of this sketch was of 
Irish descent on one side and Scotch on the other, being born inPenn- 
sj'lvania. 

P. K. Leland. Wyandotte County, Kas.. has been long, well and 
justly noted for the sterling honesty and superior capability of her pub- 
lic officials, and this enviable reputation has been fully sustained by Mr. 
Leland, who is the efficient police judge of Kansas City. He first 
saw the light of day at Grafton, Mass.. June 1, 1828. He received a 
liberal education, being an attendant of Leicester and Westfield 



^c 



rrr 



,y* — «^ 

696 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Academies, Amherst College and Brown University. He was of a 
rather adventurous disposition, and visited various foreign countries 
and rounded Cape Horn, being at sea nine months. He was taken 
with the gold fever, became one of the famous forty-niners, and two 
years were spent in the gold mines of California, where he passed 
through a varied experience and met with many thrilling adventures. 
At the end of this time he returned as far east as the State of Illi- 
nois and there resumed his law studies and was admitted to the bar 
in 1853, and for a number of years practiced his profession at Ottawa, 
111. He soon built up an enviable reputation as a legal practitioner, 
and his ability was soon seen and 'recognized by _^ the people by whom 
he was elected to the position of judge of the county court of La 
Salle County, 111., the duties of which he discharged in a very effi- 
cient manner for eight years. He also held the olfice of deputy'clerk 
of the Supreme Court of Illinois for three years, but in 1885 removed 
from Illinois to Kansas City, Kas. , and here was admitted to the bar 
the following year. Here he was appointed to the' position of police 
judge of that city in April, 1887, being reappointed in April, 1889, 
and so far he has proved the lieau' ideal of a public servant, 'being 
efficient, punctual, industrious, honest and uniformly courteous to 
all with whom he came in contact. His marriage, which took place 
on March 26, 1856, to Miss Lizzie M. White, has resulted in the birth 
of three children: Dr. K. W. Leland (of Utica, 111.), Cora (wife of 
C. E. Abraham), and Lillian (wife of Evan Browne, of Kansas City, 
Kas.). Mr. Leland inherits English blood of his parents, Cyrus and 
Betsey (Kimball) Leland, both of whom were born in Grafton, Mass., 
the former being a descendant of one of the Pilgrim Fathers. He is lib- 
eral in views, generous and the soulof honor. Although not aggressive, 
he possesses a mind of his own with the courage to express his views 
when necessary. He is a gentlemen by' instinct and education, and 
the man}' warm friends whom he possesses in Kansas City, testify to 
his popularity. 

Alonzo Woodford Little was born in Muhlenlierg County, of the 
Blue- Grass State, April 3, 1847, but his parents, Douglas and Martha A. 
( Wright) Little, were born in North Carolina and Virginia, respectively, 
the parents of both having been among the early emigrants to Ken- 
tucky. Alonzo was reared to manhood in the vicinity of his birthplace, 
and throughout his youth he was employed more or less as a clerk in 
a store, but at the age of twenty one years he took up the study of 
law, and under the preceptorship of his brother, Judge Lucius P. Lit- 



-7-. 



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'^ 




tie, of Oweiislioro. Ky.,hp madp himself thoroiigbly fciniiliar witli legal 
lore, and in 1871 was admitted to the bar. The following year he 
practiced with his brother, and in the latter part of 1872 located in 
West Point, Miss., for the practice of his profession, and after remain- 
ing there for two years was appointed clerk of the Supreme Court of 
Mississippi, and served in that capacity one term of four years. He 
next located in Jackson, Miss., and resumed the practice of law as a 
partner of J. W. Jenkins, now of Kansas City, Kas. In 1880 he re- 
moved to Medicine Lodge, Kas. , and after being in the real estate and 
cattle business for two years, the three following years were spent in 
mercantile pursuits and the banking business, in partnership in the 
latter institution with J. W. McNeal and H. C. Thompson, being 
associated in the mercantile business with this gentleman also. The 
bank with which he was connected was organized as a private bank in 
April, 1888, under the name of McNeal, Little & Thompson, but in 
1886 it was converted into a national bank, and has since been known 
as the Citizen's National Bank. Mr. Little sold his interest in the 
same in 1887. Meanwhile, in 1884, he had removed to Kansas City, 
Kas., and engaged in the real estate and loan business, but after sell- 
ing his interest in the above mentioned bank, he, in July, 1887, helped 
to organize the Armourdale Bank, and of it he has since been presi- 
dent. In the fall of 1888, in connection with Nicholas McAlpine, he 
organized the Argentine Bank, of Argentine, and in January, 1889, 
was one to organize the Exchange Bank, of Kansas City, Kas., and 
has since acted as its cashier. He disposed of his interest in the Argen- 
tine Bank in March, 1889. Another bank that he helped organize in 
May, 1889, was the McNeal & Little Banking Company, of Guthrie, 
Oklahoma, which is converted into a National bank, under the name 
of the Guthrie National Bank, of which Mr. Little is vice-president. 
In September, 1889, the First National Bank, of Medicine Lodge, 
Kas., was reorganized, at which time Mr. Little became a stock- 
holder and director, and is so still. In 1870, just before he entered 
upon the study of law, he acted as census taker in McLean County, 
Ky. He is a Republican in his political views, and is one of the city's 
most enteiprising business men, and is very popular. What he has, 
in the way of worldly goods, has been earned by earnest endeavor, and 
besides his extensive banking interests, he has one of the handsomest 
homes in Kansas City, which is situated at No. 630 Washington Ave- 
nue. His marriage, which occurred September 15, 1875, at Jeffers- 
town, Ky. , was to Miss Ida M. McDaniel, a daughter of Rev. James 

44 



^^ — ^ -^ — "L^ 



698 HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



S. McDanie], of that place. To them a family of four sons have been 
born: Alonzo W., Lucius J. (who died in infancy), Gerard B. and 
Sehon E. Mr. Little and his family worship in the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. 

Thomas E. C. Lloyd is the efficient manager of the Wyandotte 
Plumbing Company, of Kansas City, Kas., a concern whose growth is 
an excellent proof of the rapid progress made by the city in the last 
few years. Ho was born in Sheffield, England, and in addition to re- 
ceiving a common-school, education he learned the trade of a plumber. 
When only twelve years of age he became a sailor boy, and for three 
years was on the ocean. In 1882 he came to the United States, and 
after spending some time in Utica, N. Y. , and Iowa, he came to Kan- 
sas City, Kas., which place he reached in the month of July, 1884, and 
here began following his trade, that of a plumber, and soon became 
recognized here for the thorough knowledge of his calling. In a short 
time he had all the work he could attend to, and in time was given his 
present position, in the discharge of which he manages fourteen ex- 
perts regularly in plumbing, gas and steam fitting. He has laid a 
large portion of the sewerage put down by the city, and at times has 
employed seventy-live men. His establishment consists of a basement, 
25x90 feet, where he carries a large stock of lead pipe, wash-basins, 
marble, zinc and iron sinks, street top boxes for gas and water, hose, 
cistern pumps, bath tubs, gas fixtures and burners, etc., in fact his 
line of goods is exceptionally large and well chosen. In addition to 
this he has an office and store at No. 549 Minnesota Avenue, and is 
agent for the Detroit Hot Water Heater, and for the combination gas 
machine. He is the leader of his business in the city, is a popular 
man, a good citizen, and is the promoter of his own success. He was 
married in the month of February, 1888, to Miss Ida L. Buesche, a 
native of Kansas City, Kas., and to them one child has been born — 
Edward W. He is independent in his political views, and socially is 
a member of the K. of P. His parents were Joseph John Chell and 
Emma (AValker) Lloyd, the former born in Wales and the latter in 
England, their deaths occurring in the latter country at the age of 
fifty and in 1888 at the age of sixty, respectively. 

J. W. Longfellow, police commissioner and receiving clerk for the 
Ridenor, Baker Grocery Company, of Kansas City, Mo., is a native of 
Maine, born in Aroostook County, in 1841. He came W^est with his 
parents in 1857, settled in Lawrence, Kas., and there received a high- 
school education. During the late war he was filled with a patriotic 



r 



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desire to aid liis country, and in ISHl enlisted in the Second Kansas 
Infantry, serving with the same until mustered out. After this here- 
turned to the home place, tilling the soil for about a year, and then 
joined the Tenth Kansas Infantry, with which he remained until the 
cessation of hostilities. He operated with the first company through 
Southwest Missouri, under Gen. Lyon, and was in the battle of 
Wilson Creek. He operated with the army of the South, after enlist- 
ing in the Tenth Kansas Infantry, was under Canby, and in A. J. 
Smith' s army corps. He received a slight wound at Wilson Creek, and 
there Gen. Lyon was killed. Mr. Longfellow was mustered out at 
Fort Leavenworth, Kas. , and after the surrender he went on a farm, 
where he remained for several years. Subsequently he went to Law- 
rence, embarked in the transfer business, and did fairly well for a few 
years. He then sold out, went back on a farm for a couple of years, 
and then returned to Lawrence, where he ran a transfer for seven 
years. He then came here with the present company, and has now 
been with them nearly twelve years. He is doing well for them as 
chief receiving clerk, and has sole control of receiving and putting in 
stock all the goods, having filled this position for several years. He 
was appointed police commissioner without any solicitation and with- 
out his knowledge. He owns some good property in Kansas City, 
Kas. , and is a man respected and esteemed by every one. He is a 
member of the G. A. R., and is past commander at the present time. 
He is a member of the Union Veteran's Union, and is a member of 
Fireside Coiincil No. 421, National Union. In politics he is a stanch 
Republican. Mr. Longfellow was married at Lawrence, Kas., to 
Miss Sarah A. Davis, a native of Pittsfield, III, born in 1843, and 
their union has been blessed by the following children: Charles I., 
Jacob H. , Fred and Harry. They lost one child in infancy. Mr. 
Longfellow was the son of Charles and Mary (Day) Long, both natives 
of Maine. The father was a pioneer of Kansas, and served thvough 
the war in Capt. Biekerton's Artillery Company. He is now living, 
resides at Lawrence, and is seventy-seven years of age. He is a farm- 
er. He is a cousin of the poet Longfellow, and his gi'eat, great- 
grandparents were also the great-grandparents of Longfellow. One 
was a native of England and the other of Scotland. 

A. A. Lovelace, register of deeds, Kansas City, Kas. The public 
services of Mr. Lovelace since 1887 have been characterized by a notice- 
able devotion to the welfare of this county, and his ability and fidelity 
in his present position have made a lasting impression on the sphere 



I , — ■ ~ i 1 



£k 



700 HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



of public duty. He is a native of Wyandotte County, Kas. , born iu 
18(30, and is the son of Charles and Louisa (Hewitt) Lovelace. The 
father was bom in Tennessee, but grew to manhood in Mississippi, 
and settled in Wyandotte County, Kas. , in 1858. He is still a resident 
of the county, and although ia early days he ran a saw-mill here, later 
in life he was railroad contractor, and also followed farming. The 
new town of Lovelace was named in his honor, and he is at present 
connected with the new smelting works at Turner. The paternal grand- 
father, Richard Lovelace, was a prominent M. D., and came to Wyan- 
dotte County, Kas., with the Wyandotte Indians, in 18-15, and was in 
the Government employ. He was of Irish Scotch descent, and died a 
few years ago. A. A. Lovelace, the subject of this sketch, was reared 
and educated in this county, and has always been with his father in 
the contracting business until he was elected to his present position. 
He was elected county commissioner, in 1885, served two years, and 
is now filling his second term as register of deeds. He is a prominent 
young man, and is the owner of lota and acre property here. Mr. 
Lovelace is an excellent specimen of physical manhood, being over the 
average in height, and finely proportioned. He is full of push and 
enterprise, and it is due to him that the extensive smelting works have 
been located in this county. Mr. A. A. Lovelace is also cashier of the 
Exchange National Bank, with a capital of bank stock of $300,000, 
the largest concern of the kind in Kansas City, Kas. 

Valentine S. Lucas, horticulturist, Quindaro, Kas. Mr. Lucas 
came to this county May 1, 1857, from Bureau County, 111., and lo- 
cated just a little west of Chelsea Park. He is one of the old settlers, 
and a man who is held in high esteem by his many friends. His father 
came out in 1855, but owing to the troublous times in the year follow- 
ing, had to leave, and came back again in 1857, bringing his family, 
consisting of his wife and nine children. He rented land, and farmed 
until his death, which occurred in 1865. The following year his widow 
sold the stock and goods, and went to live with her children, remain- 
ing with them until her death, which occurred in 1878. Valentine S. 
Lucas received the usual amount of education given the country boy, 
imtil his removal to Wyandotte County, Kas. , and after that he at- 
tended but three terms of school. After the death of his father, he 
went to the southern part of Johnson County, bought forty acres of 
land, and after remaining there two years, sold his stock and returned 
to Wyandotte County. After this he worked on the Kansas Pacific 
Railroad, and then went direct to breaking on the same road. Later 



■f^ 




on he began selling groceries in Olathe, and still later gained a 
position on the Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, remaining on the same 
for fiilly a year and a half. He was then on a railroad running 
out from Atchison for some time, after which he returned to the 
Union Pacific again, but only remained with this for a short time, 
when he was tendered the responsible position of yard master at Arm- 
strong, remaining there for eleven years. After this he was city mar- 
shal one year, and then was given the position of assistant yard 
master at the State line, where he remained four years. Having 
purchased thirty-nine acres of land where he now lives, in 1885, 
the next spring he moved on this, where he has since devoted his 
attention to fruit-growing and gardening. He has been fairly suc- 
cessful, and aside from this, is the owner of some property in Kansas 
City, Kas. He has been twice married, first in 1874, to Miss Anna 
Hederman, who bore him three children, two now living: Flora Maj' 
and Lottie J. A. Mrs. Lucas died in 1880, and he espoused Miss 
Dora Bernhard, of Wyandotte County, two years later. They are the 
parents of three children, all sons: Lowel, Lawrence and Oral. Mr. 
and Mrs. Lucas are members of the Methodist Church, and socially 
he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the K. P., of Wyandotte. As 
he was a member of the State Militia during the war, he and six of 
his brothers helped to repel Price during his raid here, and were in 
the fight at Blue and Westport. 

Peter Lugibihl, one of the oldest settlers of this city, came here in 
1857, and engaged in the boot and shoe and grocery business, which 
he followed for twenty years. He is now the owner of considerable 
real estate, both improved and unimproved. Mr. Lugibihl was born 
in Prussia in 1832, and there remained until 1850, when he emigrated 
to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania for six years. He then 
came West, and having learned the trade of boot and shoe maker in 
his native country, he carried this on after coming to this State. He 
was married in 1856 to Miss Sybilla Bender, a native, also, of Prussia, 
born in 1833, and the fruits of this union were three children: Mary 
(wife of Charles W. Scheller), Amelia (wife of H. S. Grauten), and 
Frances. Mr. Lugibihl is a member of the Masonic fraternity, K. of 
P. , and is an Ancient Odd Fellow. He was a member of the State 
Militia during the war, and was on guard duty the principal part of the 
time. He was elected a member of the council of the old city of 
Wyandotte for two terms in 1882. He is a representative citizen, and 
has the characteristics of those born in the old country — honesty, fru- 



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702 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



gality and great perseverance. Charles W. Scheller, a member of the 
city council from the Second Ward, was elected to that position at the 
consolidation of the cities in 1886, and re-elected to the present term. 
He is chairman of the Committee on Fire Department, Sewers and Gas, 
and is also a member of various other committees. He was born in 
Oneida County, N. Y.. in January, 1856, and is a son of Charles and 
Magdalene (Heisel) Scheller, natives of the Empire State. The father 
was a cabinet-maker, and followed that trade in Utica, N. Y., for many 
years. Both parents are living. They are descendants of the Schellers 
in Germany. Charles W. Scheller was reared to man's estate in his 
native county, where he received a graded-school education, came West 
in 1878, and began working in the Armour Packing House. He con- 
tinued faithfully at this, and was promoted from time to time, until he 
is now time-keeper, which position he has filled for the last five years. 
He was married in 1882 to Miss Mary Lugibihl, who was born in Janu- 
ary, 1862, and to them have been born two children: Carl and Edith. 
He is a prominent citizen. 

Michael Lysaught is a contractor of grading in Kansas City, Kas., 
and is a man who is possessed of much enterprise, intelligence and in- 
dustry. He was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1838, to Pat- 
rick and Johanna (Chenark) Lj'saught, the former of whom was a till- 
er of the soil. Michael Lysaught had one brother and eight sisters and 
when but eleven years of age came to America with his brother and a 
sister and at first made their home in the State of Vermont. They 
went to Washington. D. C, where Michael learned the carpenter's 
trade, at which he worked until he came to Wyandotte County, Kas.. 
in 1856. He continued to follow his trade until 1862, when he en- 
tered the employ of the Government and took (iOU head of horses 
to Fort Union, N. M., and remained in that place for ten years 
and four months, after which he returned to Kansas and obtained em- 
ployment with the Union Pacific Railroad Company at Armstrong, 
which place was his home iintil 1883. He then left the shops and has 
since been engaged in contracting. He served one year as deputy 
street commissioner of Kansas City, and had a verbal contract with 
O'Connel & Downs, as a partner, and the first year they did a business 
in contracting of $98,000. They graded Sixth Street, Ann Avenue, 
Armstrong Avenue, and part of James Street, in North Kansas City, 
Kas., and Kansas Avenue, on the South Side, from Fourth to Sixteenth 
Street. They have also graded Third Street, Northrof) Avenue, the 
approach to the Sixth Street bridge, the approach to the Third Street 



} \ 



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bridge, and have filled other smaller contracts throughout the city. 
They have done over 1200,000 worth of grading and are still doing a 
■thriving business. Mr. Lysaught owns several city lots, and two resi- 
dences. Although a Democrat in politics, he is not a partisan He is 
a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, a member of the Catholic 
Mutual Benefit Association, and in every respect is a typical Irishman, 
being warm and generous hearted, temperate, moral and quick witted. 
He was married in this city to Miss Catherine Gorman, who was born 
in Washington, D. C, in 1853, and to them the following children 
have been born: Sarah, John, Michael, James, Mat and Patrick. 

Nicholas McAlpine. Personally, and in every private relation and 
duty of life, too much praise can not be said of Mr. McAlpine, for he is 
liberal, generous, high-minded, the soul of true honor and unbounded 
greatness of heart. He is one of Kansas City's most prominent and influ- 
ential business men, and has always proved himself thoroughly public- 
spirited. He was born near Belfast, in County Down, Ireland, April 5, 
1835, being a son of David and Mary Ann (Campbell) McAlpine, both 
of whom lived and died in the "Emerald Isle." Nicholas remained 
in his native land until he was seventeen years of age, receiving a good 
English education, but at that age determined to seek his fortune in 
the New World, and his first experience in America was in the city 
of Philadelphia, Penn. He soon after went to Pittsburgh, where his 
uncle, John McAlpine, resided and there he secured the position of 
messenger boy in a broker's office. At the end of one year he became 
an employe of the Pittsburgh Trust Company, and owing to the friend- 
ship and aid given to him by John D. Scully, the cashier, he was made 
thoroughly conversant with the general routine of banking. He re- 
mained with that firm two years, then sp)ent one year as discount clerk 
in the Exchange Bank of Pittsburgh, and in 1857, upon the advice of 
his uncle, who had come to Kansas and located at Wyandotte the pre- 
vious year, he was induced to come here also. After one year spent in 
clerking in his uncle's storage and commission house, the following 
three years were spent in saw and grist milling, as the partner of B. 
Washington. In 1861, thinking to better himself, he sold out his 
interest in this mill and returned to Pittsburgh, Penn., where his old 
friend, John D. Scully, gave him a situation in the First National 
Bank as assistant teller, a position he tilled with success for three 
years. In 1865 he again came to Wyandotte County, Kas. , and here 
he has since made his home. During a part of 1865 he was freight 
agent for the old Kansas Pacific Railroad, and during the following 



.^ 




year he was a member of the lirm of Killin, Parks & Go., railnjad con- 
tractors, who bnilt a portion of the central branch of the Union Pacific 
Railroad, and also ^ portion of the Missouri Pacific Kailroad between 
Kansas City and Leavenworth. He was married in June, ISCfi, to 
Miss Maria Walker, a native of Wyandotte, Kas. , and a daughter of 
Joel Walker. During part of the year 1867 he was employed as a 
clerk for the tirm of Chick, Browne, Manzanares & Co., who were ex- 
tensively engaged in the overland Mexican trade. In the fall of 1867 
Mr. McAlpine was elected treasurer of Wyandotte Count)', and al- 
though this county has long been well and justly noted for the sterling 
honesty and superior capability of her public officials, Mr. McAlpine 
was one of her most popular servants and filled the position to perfec- 
tion for two and one-half years. His office was a model of neatness 
and order, and showed the workings of an intelligent, well-directed 
mind. In the fall of 1871 he was again elected treasurer, was re- 
elected in 1873, and this position filled by re-election until the fall of 
1877, since which time he has been a dealer in real estate, and is now 
one of the leading agents of Kansas City, Kas. In connection with 
this he has been in the banking business in Wyandotte, Armourdale 
and Argentine, and is at present a member of the Kansas City Circu- 
lar Belt Railway Company, and the Missouri River Land and Reclama- 
tion Company, the Kansas River Water Power Company, the Na- 
tional Smelting iV Refining Company, at Lovelace, president of the 
North Kansas City Land Improvement Company, and is now actively 
engaged in promoting the interests of these corporations, besides being 
interested in many other enterprises which have for their object the 
development of the county. In 1866 he was elected city treasurer of 
Wyandotte, and in addition to tilling this oiBce for one term, he has 
been a member of the city council the same length of time, making 
the beau ideal of a public servant. He is a Democrat in his political 
views, and belongs to the following social organizations: the Masonic 
fraternity, in which he is a Knight Templar, and the A. O. U. W. 
He is one of the well-known and honored residents of Wyandotte 
County, and his views on all subjects are sound and shrewd, showing 
that he possesses a vigorous and active intellect. He and his wife 
have four children living: Robert L., Jessie S., Mary Ann and John, 
who are aged respectively twenty-three, fifteen, seven and three years. 
His eldest child, Robert L. McAlpine. was born in Kansas City, Kas., 
May 8, 1867, and in the city of his birth his primary education was 
obtained, he being an attendant of Palmer's Wyandotte Academy. He 






ftt 




entered tbe Kansas State University in the fall of 188'2, and graduated 
with the class of 1887, his career being there marked liy a close 
application and rapid progress. Daring vacations he attended Spauld- 
ing's Commercial College, obtaining a diploma dated August 20, 1S84, 
and he was soon afterward employed as a draughtsman under Messrs. 
Breithaupt and Allen, civil engineers, of Kansas City, Mo., and dur- 
ing the summer of 1886 was one of the surveyors for the Kansas City, 
Wyandotte & North -'Western Railway. Upon graduating from the 
State University of Kansas, he accepted a position under Maj. H. L. 
Marvin, supervising engineer on the construction of the Missouri 
Pacific Railway, between McCracken, Kas. , and Pueblo, Colo., and in 
the winter of 1887 he entered the city engineer's oflfice of Kansas City. 
Kas., where he remained for two years, being specially engaged upon 
plans for a system of sewerage designed by Pierson & Kiersted, civil 
engineers, of Kansas City, Mo. He is at present chief engineer of 
the Kansas City Circular Railway. For a young man of his years he 
is exceptionally intelligent, and as he possesses many of the charac- 
teristics of which prominent men are made — moral and personal in- 
tegrity, and clear, well-balanced, active intelligence — a bright future is 
predicted for him. 

Phil McAnauy is numbered among the successful business men of 
Kansas City, having by his natural ability and energy, gained his pres- 
ent lucrative position as foreman of the canning department, with the 
Armour Packing House. He entered the employ of this firm in 1882, 
and after serving two years was promoted to his present position. He 
is a man of vast experience, having at one time worked for Slavin's 
Packing House. He is a wide-awake, public-spirited man, and one 
who believes in doing full duty alike to self and neighbor. His gen- 
erosity and liberality of views has won for him many warm friends, 
and his competence has, at all times, been appreciated by those whose 
interests he guarded. Mr. McAnany's birth occurred in Westport, 
Mo., in 1860, and his parents, Nicholas and Mary (Plunkett) McAnany, 
of the Emerald Isle, where they continued to reside until 1840. 
The subject of this sketch passed the years intervening between in 
fancy and manhood in his childhood's home, receiving a moderate 
education, and even at an early date practicing habits of industry and 
perseverauce. In 1885 he married Miss Mary Gallager, daughter of 
James and Rose Gallager. Both Mr. and Mrs. McAnany are members 
of Father Dalton's church, and manifest great interest in the success 
of every worthy cause. To such men America is indebted for the en- 



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-K^ 




viable repixtation she sustains in the commercial circles of other 
country's men whose watchword is duty, and who, following Hamlet's 
advice, "Take arms against a sea of troubles, and, by opposing, end 
them." 

George M. McDougal, another early settler, came to Wyandotte 
County, in 1865, and has been a resident of the same ever since, 
following agricultural pursuits. He raises about twenty acres of corn, 
averaging about forty bushels to the acre, and ten acres of wheat, fif- 
teen bushels to the acre. He bought his first land in 1867, a wild 
piece covered with heavy timber, paid |5 an acre, and now, with the 
improvements made on it, it is worth at least 150 per acre. He has 
since added eighty acres to the original tract, making 120 acres in all, 
and the entire tract is valued at $50 per acre. He has a fair orchard 
of good bearing trees, is extensively interested in the development of 
improved methods in agricultural life, and securing the best results 
attainable in that line. He bought his first land of the Blue Jacket's 
heirs. Mr. McDougal was born in Richland County, Ohio, on Jan- 
uary 22, 1838, and he is the eighth of eleven children born to John A. 
and Rachel J. (Hall) McDougal, natives of New York. The parents 
left that State in 1835, emigrated to Ohio and there they resided until 
1841, when they moved to Allen County, Ind., where the father's 
death occurred in 1845. The mother died in 1879, at the age of 
seventy-eight. George M. was reared to manhood in Allen County, 
Ind. , and there he obtained a good common-school education. He 
learned the carpenter's trade, followed it in that county until he left 
in 1860, when he went to Colorado, and worked in the Georgia and 
French gulches. There he remained until the fall of 1860, when he 
went to Iowa, but returned the next spring and was successful in min- 
ing. He was prospecting most of the time. He enlisted in Central 
City, Colo., on January 21, 1863, in Company E, Third Colorado In- 
fantry Volunteers, under Capt. Moses and Col. James H. Ford, and 
their regiment was sent to guard the railroad in the Iron Mountains. 
In December, 1868, they were sent back to St. Louis, where they 
joined the Second Colorado, were mounted and sent to Western Mis- 
souri to fight the guerrillas. There they remained until November, 
1865, when they were ordered out to the plains and joined ia scouting 
expedition, being thus employed until October 3, 1865. After the war 
Mr. McDougal came to this county and began farming, which occupa- 
tion he has successfully followed ever since. He does carpentering at 
odd times. Mr. McDougal was married on November 11, 1865, to 



Ifv*" 



M 




Miss Lizzie E. Paul, a native of Sheffield, England, born on January 
12, 1846, and is the daughter of George and Ann J. Paul, natives of 
England. To Mr. and Mrs. McDougal have lieen born live interest- 
ing" children : Ida (wife of William Perkins), Frank, PaiU, Roy and 
Aiihur. In his political views Mr. McDougal affiliates with the Re- 
publican party, and he has tilled the office of school trustee nearly the 
entire time of his residence. He has also been road overseer. He is a 
member of the G. A. R., Capt. Kingscott Post No. 463, and is also a 
member of the Farmers' Alliance. Mr. McDougal is enterprising and 
progressive, and a man who is active in his support of all worthy en- 
terprises. 

M. F. McCall, merchant, Emmet, Kas. Among the enterprising 
business houses of this town, whose operations are worthy of record, 
is that conducted by Mr. McCall, who is one of the prominent business 
men of the town. He was born in Platte County, Mo., in 1861, to 
the union of William and Elizabeth (Porter) McCall, natives of Ohio 
and Missouri, respectively. M. F. McCall was sixth in order of birth 
of the nine children born to his parents, all of whom grew to maturity 
and are still living: Robert, Lottie, Josephine, Jesse M., William, 
John and Morton. The maiden name of Grandmother McCall was 
Calhoun. William McCall, father of our subject, was one of eleven 
children who grew to maturity: Jesse, Moses, Samuel, Montgomery, 
Robert, Israel, Nancy, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Mina. M. F. McCall 
grew to manhood and received a good common-school education in his 
native State. He began business for himself as a farmer in 1880, and 
followed this until 1887, when he engaged with Woolmann, selling 
clothing in Leavenworth. He continued at this but a short time and 
then embarked in the real estate business, which he carried on until 
1889. At that date he bought a stock of goods at Pomeroy, remained 
but a short time, and then located where he now resides in September 
of that year. He has a large and well- assorted stock, and is a capable 
and enterprising business man. Mr. McCall was married in March, 
1889. to Miss Clementine Turner, daughter of Thomas Turner, a na- 
tive of South Carolina. One child is the result of this union— Oley 
B. Mr. McCall is a Democrat in politics, and exercises his franchise 
on every occasion. 

W. H. McCamish, farmer. Bethel, Kas. Mr. McCamish is a prac- 
tical, go-ahead farmer, and fully appreciates the comforts of a com- 
petence gained by individual efforts. His birth occurred in Bradley 
County, Tenn., in December, 1835, and he is one of a family of eight 



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k. 




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children. His father, Samuel McCamish, was a native also of the 
Big Bend State, and was among the earlier settlers, moving from the 
upper part of the State to the Cherokee purchase the next year after 
which the Indians left. He oi)ened up a farm, and there his children 
were reared. They received very little schooling, a few months per 
haps during the winter, and hard work was the vwle. When AV. H. 
McCamish was nineteen years of age he came to Kansas, landing at 
Kansas City, Mo., September 19, 1855, on the way to an elder brother 
living in Johnson County. Here he kept store and the post-office for 
his brother, and in about a year he secured the mail contract from 
Westport to the edge of the Sac and Fox agency, carrying the mail 
all the time during the border trouble. He was frequently stopped, 
but the mail bags were his passport. Later an attack of the chills 
and fever prevented him from doing very much for a year and a half, 
and he boarded with old Capt. Barker. A Mr. Bacon requested him to 
go to the store at the Sac and Fox agency, and while there the store 
was plundered by the guerrillas, and even Mr. McCamish' s clothes 
were taken. After recovering, Mr. McCamish took a claim in John- 
son County, and worked on the same until the year before the war. 
He then went to Morris County. Early in the war he enlisted, to keep 
the Indians back, and then started down to repel Price, but the scare 
was over ere reaching the scene. He then returned to his claim, and 
there resided until 1867, coming from Morris County, Kas. , to Jack- 
son County, Mo., and thence to Wyandotte County. He located at 
what is now known as West Muncie, the old ferry place beiog his 
home, and rented the first year. In 1868 he bought the place, and 
resided there until 1884, engaged in farming. The land was covered 
with brush, but he soon had this cleared, and ere he sold out he had 
it all in fruit. As he owned some land in CofPee County, he moved to 
that, improved, and later sold it, coming back in December, 1885. He 
sold the land he owned in this county, and then bought eighty acres 
in the western corner of Quindaro Township, which he devotes to gen- 
eral farming, but expects in the future to turn it into small fi'uit and 
grass. He is a successful farmer, and has held a number of local 
positions, among them clerk of the school board and road supervisor. 
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 1858 
he was married to Miss Mary J. Wells, a resident of Johnson County, 
and the daughter of G. W. Wells, who was a native of Virginia, but 
who moved to Kentucky, and thence to Kansas. Mr. and Mr. Mc- 
Camish are the parents of seven living children: Margaret, Robert F., 



^ 




William H. , Charles R. (who died at Laurence, October 10, 1888, at 
the age of twenty-one years), George W., A. Lee, Edna May and Stella 
Myrtle. Robert A. is a prominent school teacher, William H. is a 
postal clerk on the North-Western Railroad, and Margaret is the wife 
of John Chandler, a farmer, at Louisville, Miami County, Kas. The 
paternal grandfather of our suljject, William McCamish, was under 
Jackson at New Orleans. The McCami.sh family is of Scotch origin. 

William McGeorge, mayor and druggist, Argentine, Kas. This 
representative citizen of the county is a native of Dunfries, Scotland, 
where his birth occurred September 13, 1852, and is a son of Thomas 
and Jane (Blacklock) McGeorge. The parents sailed for America in 
1871, located in Clay County, Mo., near Excelsior Springs, bought a 
farm, and there the father died in 1885. The mother is still living 
and makes her home in Clay County, Mo. Their family consisted of 
seven children, six living, of whom our subject is the eldest. He was 
educated in his native country and served an apprenticeship in the 
drug business, graduating in pharmacy. He served four years as an 
ajiprentice, and although he thought this a long time, he persevered, 
and as a pharmacist has few equals. He sailed from Glasgow with 
his parents, landed in New York, and went with them to Clay County, 
Mo. After this he clerked in drug stores at different points for some 
time, and at last embarked in the business for himself at Camden 
Point, Mo., carrying it on for several years. In the spring of 1880 he 
went to Rcsedale, Kas., started a drug store, and is still ntnning the 
same. In 1884 he started his present stoi-e in Argentine, and at the 
present time carries on both stores, and is doing a flourishing business 
at both places. He thoroughly understands his business, and is 
ranked among the successful men of Argentine. He keeps a large 
and carefully selected stock of fresh and pure drugs and chemicals, 
toilet articles, perfumes, sponges, and makes a specialty of physicians' 
prescriptions. While living in Rosedale he served as councilman for 
two years, and in 1889 he was elected mayor of Argentine, still filling 
this position. Socially he is a member of the K. of P. He was mar- 
ried in 1882 to Miss Morvie Jones, a native of Wales, by wliora he 
has three children: John, William and Robert. 

Patrick McGonnigle, one of the oldest and most prominent pio- 
neers of Wyandotte Township, was born in the County of Donegal, 
Ireland, near the old city of Londonderry, November 12, 1827, and 
of the six children born to his parents, three sons and three daughters, 
he was the eldest in order of birth. The children were named as fol- 



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no HISTOET OF KAS&AS. 



lows: Nancy (resides in Nevada, where her husband is engaged in 
mining I. Frank i married and resides in Wvandorte CoTtntyi. Kate 
( married and resides in Kansas City. Kas. i. James (resides in Wy- 
andotte County ). All were bom in Ireland. The father was a native 
of the Emerald Isle, and was a farmer by occupation. The mother 
was also a native of Ireland. Both are dead. Patrick ilcGonnigle 
received his education in the old subscription schools, and when twen- 
ty-two years of age started out to fight life's battles for himself. 
When he landed in New York City he had but ?2. 50 in money, but he 
had the determination and pluck to persevere, and this, together with 
his honesty and industry, have placed him in the front rank as a fanner 
and horticulturist. He was married, in Leavenworth City. Kas.. in 
1S5S. to Miss Rose McGuxgan. a native of Ireland, where she was 
well educated. To this marriage have been born six children — four 
sons and two daughters : Frank ( is married and resides in Kansas City. 
Kas.. where he follows the trade of a mechanic i. Henry (resides in 
Laramie City. Wyo. . and is yard master on the Union Pacific Kailroad t. 
Mary i is well educated and makes her home with her parents i. James 
I resides in Kansas City, Kas. . and is employed in the stock-yards ). Kate 
(resides at home and is also well educated i. and John P. (who is at 
home, and who wiU attend the high school the (doming term*. Mr. 
McGonnigle has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and sup- 
f>orts the true principles of Jeffersonianism, but has never been a bit- 
ter partisan by any means. He aims to vote for men of honor and 
integrity. Mr. and Mrs. McGonnigle and children are ardent mem- 
bers of the Boman Catholic Church, and have always contributed to 
all benevolent and charitable enterprises which have been worthy of 
consideration. Mr. McGonnigle emigrated from the Emerald Isle in 
June. 1S49, and landed in New York City August 1 of that year. 
From there he went to Chicago. 111. , engaged in selling linen goods, 
and remained in this business for two years. From there he went to 
Jackson County, Mo. . engaged in farming, but at the end of one year 
came to Wyandotte County, Kas (December, 1855 1. where he re- 
mained until the nest spring. He then started for Fort Biley, Kas. , 
and had a very interesting time with the " Border Ruffians " and " Jay- 
hawkers." who wanted him to join ranks with them, which honor 
Mr. McGonnigle very politely and modestly declined. He then started 
back, and stopjjed with an old Indian by the name of " Sachendine." 
for some time. From there he came down to the present site of Mun- 
cie, and met Ben Johnson, who had married an Indian girl. He 



*31- 



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worked as a farm laborer for Mr. Johnson, until September 1, or for 
abont six months, and then worked for a man by the name of Garrett, 
of the old Indian Garrett family, spoken of in the early history. He 
worked there for abont two years, and then married his present wife. He 
leased the Garrett farm for two years, then another farm for five years, 
and then returned to the Garrett farm, where he remained another 
three years. After this he purchased his present farm of ninety eight 
acres, which was then a thicket and wilderness, and at that time Kansas 
City, Mo., had a population of not over 200. Main Street and all 
the principal streets of to-day were in a perfect wilderness, with bluffs 
on all sides. Mr. McGonnigle has witnessed the wonderful growth of 
this city, and has seen the population increase to 148.000. He has 
also seen the entire growth of Kansas City. Kas. : was here when 
there were no railroads, and when the entire population around Kan- 
sas City was Indians. When he first became the owner of his land 
he only paid SIT per acre, and there was not a sign of improvement 
on his land. He first erected a log- cabin, began immediately to 
improve his place, and this valuable land is to-day worth from 
S300 to $500 per acre, but Mr. McGonnigle does not care to sell. 
His property lies on the Union Pacific RaUroad, at the station of 
Muncie, and is near the great manufacturing plant of the Southwest, 
which is to be erected here at not a distant day. Mr. McGonnigle 
has on his fine farm a large and handsome residence, good outbuild- 
int^s. and everything for his convenience and comfort. He has worked 
hard for his home, and can now pass his declining years with a 
fair share of this world's goods. He lost his dear companion in 1872. 
and her remains are interred in the cemeter}- near home. 

. Lieut. -Gov. James McGrew, Kansas City. Kas. There are few 
men of the present day whom the world acknowledges as successful, 
more worthy of honorable mention, or whose life history affords a 
better example of what may be accomplished by a determined will 
and perseverance, than the subject of this sketch, and. indeed, his 
career is one well worthy of imitation. Mr. McGrew was bom in 
Pennsylvania on January 26, 1822. near the old battle-field of Gettys- 
burg, and a few years later was taken to Ohio by his father, thence to 
Sullivan County. Ind., close to Terre Haute, thence to Vermillion 
County, then to Henderson County, and from there to Wapello 
County, Iowa. In 1844 he moved to Keokuk County. Iowa, on 
the Sac and Fox reservation. In 1857 he emigrated to Wyandotte 
County, Kas.. and arrived there on September 22. of that year. 




Gov. McGrew was married in Keokuk County, Iowa, to Miss 
Mary Doggette, and afterward was engaged in merchandising at 
Lancaster, Iowa. He was then engaged in general merchandise 
business at Kansas City, Kas. , from 1860 until 1870. During 
the late Civil War he was a stanch Union man, was in the Kan- 
sas State Militia, and was close at hand during the battle of the 
Blue. Previous to the war, in 1859, he was elected to the House 
of Representatives, was re-elected in 1860, and in 1862 was elected to 
the State Senate, serving two years. He was elected lieutenant-gov- 
ernor in 1864, and held this position one term, after which he .stepped 
out of politics, but was afterward mayor of Wyandotte. While in 
ofBce he still kept his business going, and has since been looking after 
his property and estate. His first wife died in 1866 and left three 
children: Hemy (attorney), Josephine and Mary. His second mar- 
riage was to Lydia Slaven, of Alliance, Ohio, who bore him two chil- 
dren: Grace and Louise. The parents of Mr. McGrew, W. W. and 
Margaret (Milligan) McGrew, were natives of Pennsylvania, and the 
father was a carpenter and cabinet-maker by trade. He died in 1855 
and the mother about 1872. The maternal grandfather was born in 
the Keystone State, and was of Irish-German extraction. Gov. Mc- 
Grew has a very desirable residence on Quindaro Boulevard, and he 
chose and selected the place, which consisted of several acres of forest 
trees, walnut, etc.. planted by the hand of Nature. 

Warner T. McGuinn (colored) is a well-known attorney at law in Kan- 
sas City, Kas. He is a Virginian by birth, and now in his twenty- eighth 
year, his birth occurring on November 22, 1862. In early life he was 
taken to Baltimore, Md., and having finished the common schools of 
his city he entered Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, after special 
preparation for that institution, and was graduated in 1884 with the 
degree of A. B. In the fall of that year he entered the law school of 
Howard University, but left that institution at the end of the first year 
to enter Yale College, where he was graduated in the class of 1887 
with the degree of LL. B. , taking the Townsend prize of $100 for 
pronouncing the best oration on Commencement Day. We maj' say, 
incidentally, that Mr. McGuinn was the first colored man to pronounce 
an oration on Commencement Day at Yale College. On June 29, 1887, 
after a rigid examination by a "bar committee," he was admitted to 
practice in all the courts of Connecticut. In the fall of 1887 he came 
to Kansas prospecting, and finally decided that Kansas City, Kas., 
ofPered a fair field for a young man of push and intelligence. Here 




be opened bis office, and bas since done remaikal.ly well. He is an 
esceptionably intelligent and well -posted gentleman on all subjects, 
and is the present efficient editor of the American Citizen, a weekly 
journal tbat is owned by the colored men of the city, and is edited in 
the interests of Kansas City, Kas.. and the colored race. He takes a 
deep interest in the welfare and future success of Kansas City, and be- 
ing a young man of intelligence, push and energy, his future success 
in life is assured. 

M. H. McHale. How pleasant, after a long life, well and pros- 
perously spent, it is to look back over the vista of years that inter- 
vene between infancy and advanced manhood, with the full conscious- 
ness of having made the best possible iise of the " passing hours," and 
having benefited self and others in the struggle essential to success 
in the^commercial world. The subject of this sketch was one of the 
pioneer business men of Kansas City, starting here long before it had 
attained either its present magnitude or its great prosperity. His first 
arrival was in the year 1 876, at which time he entered the employ of the 
Union Pacific Railroad. In a short period he opened a wood and coal 
business, and for ten years managed it successfully, and in 1887 added 
the grocery business to the other, thereby largely increasing the 
profit's. But in 1889 he sold out to engage with the Bavarian Brewing 
Company, of Kansas City, Mo. All his efforts have been highly success- 
ful, and after traveling extensively, Mr. McHale considers Kansas City 
an exceedingly desirable place of residence. His birth occurred No- 
vember 9, 1855. at Zanesville, Ohio, being the son of Thomas McHale, 
a native of Ireland, who came to America in 1848, settling first in 
Rhode Island, next in Ohio, and spent two years in Keokuk, Iowa, from 
there went to Leavenworth and finally located in St. Mary's, Kas. Mr. 
McHale received a good common -school education, and took a business 
course in the Normal school at Leavenworth, where he arrived at man- 
hood. He was married in April, 1881, to Miss Sarah A. Henry, of 
Tennessee, and daughter of William Puett. To this union were born 
four childi'en, two of whom are now living, viz. : Minnie, Isabella, 
Maud and Jeanette, the two latter being dead. There are also two 
step children, viz. : Mollie and Anna Henry. Mr. McHale is a mem- 
ber of the Democratic party, being such when there were only two 
other Democrats in Armstrong, where he now resides. He is closely 
• identified with the Catholic Church. 

Thomas McMahon, farmer and fruit-grower, Argentine, Kas. Prom- 
inent among those of foreign V)irth now in Wyandotte County, stands 



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714 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



the name of Mr. McMahon who was born ou the Emerald Isle, Kings 
County, in 1833, and who was left an orphan in infancy. At the early 
age of thirteen he was thrown upon his own resources, and when he emi- 
grated to the United States, and landed in New York, he was penniless. 
Not discouraged he went to work, and with little assistance from out- 
siders, amassed enough of this world's goods to assure him of a comfort- 
able old age. In November of 1852 he went to Hudson County, N. J., 
remained there that winter and then went to Hartford, Conn., where he 
worked on a farm for John Honman six months. In the fall of 1853 
he came to New Orleans, remained there during the winter, and then in 
the spring of the following year he came to St. Louis, Mo. He con- 
tinned in that city until the spring of 1855 and then came to Leaven- 
worth, Kas. He was married in 1859 to Miss Bridget O' Flaherty, 
daughter of Owen and Catherine (Fitzgerald) O' Flaherty, natives of 
Ireland. Mrs. McMahon was born in Maryland on February 16, 1839, 
and has followed her husband in all his wanderings, has assisted him 
in his many hardships and trials, and has been a helpmate indeed. As 
before stated, Mr. McMahon came to Leavenworth, Kas., in 1855, but 
later located in Kansas City, Mo., where he entered life as a contractor 
for the grading of streets and roads. He had a contract for the grad- 
ing of the Hannibal & St. Jo, when the breaking out of the war com- 
pelled him to abandon this. He worked at this from 1855 to 1861, 
after which he took his stock and went to Johnson County, Kas., where 
he farmed until the spring of 1863. After this he took his family to 
Colorado, but remained only a short time, and the next spring started 
for Montana, where he remained until 1869. He engaged in freight- 
ing from Salt Lake Valley to the different mines. He was successful 
and cleared about $13,000. In 1859 be bought ten acres of land in 
Kansas City for $1,250, and in 1869 sold it and made 14,000 profit. 
This piece of land was located near the old town sight. In 1869 he 
returned to Kaunas City, remained there iintil May, and then bought 
his present farm of over ninety -eight acres, paying 140 per acre. It 
was a row piece of land and at one time belonged to the old Punkin 
family of the Shwanee tribe of Indians. This he has improved with a 
handsome dwelling, good outbuildings, excellent orchard, and many 
other improvements. The land is now worth .$500 per acre. His or- 
chard consists of 1,000 apple trees, all kinds and varieties, a fine selec- 
tion of peaches, the trees having been brought from Ohio, Illinois and 
Missouri, seven acres of grapes, nearly all Concord, two acres of 
Gregg raspberries, two acres of strawberries. Crescent Seedling and 




Downing, and sixty cLerry treps, principally the Early llichmon.l. 
His farm has been his source of livelihood for the past twelve years. 
Mr. McMahon is a Democrat in his political views, was elected treas 
urer of the Township Board of 1887, and held this position for three 
years. He served as assessor in 1888 and 1889, and his son, John H. 
is township clerk. He is also selected as State delegate for the year 
1890, to be held at Wichita on the 9th of August. He and family 
are members of the Catholic Church at Argentine, and Mr. McMahon 
is president and treasurer of the building committee of the same The 
building when completed will cost $18,000, making the finest church 
in Argentine. Mr. McMahon has the interests of his county at heart, 
and supports all enterprises for the good of the same. His marriage 
was blessed by the birth of twelve children, seven now living: John H. 
May C. (wife of Charles Preobstel) twins, Ellen. Thomas F. (born in 
Montana), Francis, Agnes and Joseph Patrick. Those deceased are 
Anna Josephine, Henora. Daniel, Lawrence and Catherine. 

John McNulty, wholesale and retail dealer in flour, coal, wood, 
feed, etc., at Kansas City, Kas., was born in Monitor County, Mo., 
December 12, 1859, being a son of Patrick and Elizabeth (Lovelace) 
McNulty, the former of ^hom was born in Ireland and the latter in 
Barton County, Mo. They were maiTied about 1857, and in time a 
family of ten children gathered about their fireside— four sons and six 
daughters— their son, John, being the second of the family. The 
father was a railroad contractor, and he and his wife are now de- 
ceased. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood on a farm in 
his native county, but at the early age of twelve years, left home to 
make his own way in the world, and since that time has relied upon 
his own exertions for a livelihood. For a number of years he was em- 
ployed as a farm hand in Monitor County, but at the age of seventeen 
years he went to Cole County, Mo., and began farming for himself, 
moving three years later to Holt County, Mo., where he farmed eight 
years and worked two years in a hardware store. On January 1, 1890, 
he came to Kansas City, Kas. , and for three months was employed in 
the car barn of the Metropolitan Street Railway. In J une of that 
year he established his present first class wholesale and retail flour 
and feed store at No. 741 Minnesota Avenue, and to the successful 
conduct of the same he is now devoting his time and attention. He 
is already doing a prosperous business and fully deserves the success 
with which his efforts may be attended, for he has worked his way up 
to his present position through his own merits, without aid from any- 



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body. He is honorable and upright in every respect, is proving himself 
a substantial citizen, and in his political views is a Democrat. His 
marriage which took place on August 19, 1880, was to Miss Dora Lewis, 
a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Jackson Lewis. 

Michael Malone, farmer and stock raiser, Shawneetown, Kas. In 
enumerating the enterprising and progressive agriculturists and stock- 
men of this township, Mr. Malone must not be overlooked. He came 
to Wyandotte County on April 3, 1857, and has made his home here 
ever since, being among the pioneers. Indians were numerous in the 
county, and the house that Mr. Malone now occupies was built by John 
Gore, a Kentuckian, who had married a Shawnee squaw. Mr. Ma- 
lone paid 125 per acre, but the many improvements placed upon it 
since have increased its value very much, and he now asks 175 per 
acre. The farm consists of 160 acres, and is divided into thirty-five 
acres of wheat, twenty acres of corn, and the balance in pasture and 
timber. Mr. Malone is assisted in the management of the farm by 
his son John. Michael Malone was born in Ireland in 1838, and is 
the fourth of seven children born to James and Margaret Malone, 
natives also of the Emerald Isle. Our subject came to the United 
States at a very early age (1844), landed in New York, where he re- 
mained but a short time, and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he 
remained three years. He then went to Richmond, Va., remained 
there two years, and then hearing of the mighty West he followed the 
emigrating populace as far as St. Louis, Mo. There he remained 
three years, and thinking to better his condition, he came to Jefferson 
City, and was a resident of that city for two years. All this time he 
was working as a day laborer. His next move was to Wyandotte City, 
then a trading j^oint for the Indians, and he has seen the many im- 
provements that have taken place, watching with interest and pleasure 
the building up of the metropolis of Kansas. The land he now owns 
was originally the home of an Indian family, and he has cleared it of 
the heavy timber with which it was then covered. Being one of the 
early settlers, he endured many hardships and privations, and has done 
much toward improving the county. Mr. Malone was married in 
Jefferson City, Mo., in 1856, to Miss Margaret Lee, a native of Rich- 
mond, Va. , and the daughter of Patrick Lee, a native also of the Old 
Dominion. This union resulted in the birth of seven children: Mar- 
garet (wife of Patrick Dover), James, Michael, John, Mollie, Cora and 
Hannah. Mr. Malone is a Democrat in politics, and he and family are 
members of the Catholic Church of Shawneetown. He carried on 



contracting until lute year., and gradt-d the first street in the old town 
of Wyandotte. He has had the contracts of some of the largest works 
in that city. When he first came here there were but four white fam- 
ilies in Wyandotte City. 

Michael J. Manning is one of Kansas City's well-known citizens, 
and not only is he known in a social and public way, but he is also a 
prominent grocer. His birth occurred in Richmond, Va., February 
22, 1855, he being a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Martin) Manning, 
both of whom were bom in County Kerry, Ireland, and came to the 
United States unmarried, their imion taking place at Richmond, Va., 
in 1854. The father was a son of Daniel Manning, who spent his en 
tire life in Ireland, the mother's parents being John and Jane (Sayers) 
Martin, whe came to America when she was eleven years old. Mich- 
ael Manning came here when he was about twenty-one years of age, 
and spent the remainder of his life in Richmond, Va., dying of chol- 
era in August, 1854, or several months before the birth of the subject 
of this sketch. About three years after his death his widow married 
a man by the name of Richard McDonald, to whom she bore ten chil- 
dren, only four of whom are living. She died in September, 1877, 
but Mr. McDonald still lives, and resides in Washington, D. C. Dur- 
ing his early life, Michael J. Manning made his home with his grand- 
father and grandmother, Martin, in Richmond, Va., and when he was 
eight years old, he accompanied them to Washington, D. C, and a 
yelir later to Philadelphia, where he remained with them for about 
three and a half years. In 1867 he went with them to Martins- 
burg, W. Va., which place he made his home until 1876. He gave 
his attention to different employments in his early days, his first vent- 
ure being as a newsboy on the streets of Richmond, later in Wash- 
ington, and afterward in Philadelphia. He worked for a time in 
various brick-yards, and still later he drove a team upon the Baltimore 
& Ohio Railway, and was also employed variously for that company 
for six years. In the fall of 1876 he returned to Washington, D. C, 
and there followed different callings for some two years, coming in the 
fall of 1878 to Kansas City, Kas., which place has been his home up 
to the present time. He almost immediately secured employment in 
the shops of the Union Pacific Railway, at Armstrong, but at the end 
of a few months he began working in different freight depots in the 
city. At the end of one year he began working for the Armour Pack- 
ing Company, and about a year later he became business manager and 
local editor of the Catholic Banner, a weekly journal, published in 



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Kansas City, Mo., by Rev. Father William J. Daltou. The year 
following he clerked in a grocery, and the succeeding year was in the 
employ of the Kansas City Paper Company, then became an employe 
of the Armour Packing Company, after which, in October, 18S3, he was 
appointed to a position on the police force of the city under Mayor 
R. W. Hilliker, and remained in this capacity and as constable 
eighteen months, after which, in 1885, he was elected police judge 
of Old Kansas City, Kas. , retaining the same until 1886, when by the 
act of consolidation he was legislated out of office. In that year he 
was elected police judge of the consolidated cities of Wyandotte, 
Armourdale and Kansas City, when he was again legislated out of 
otifice by the Metropolitan Police Bill, making the olfice of police 
judge appointive. In 1887 he was appointed by Mayor T. F. Han- 
nan, to the ofBce of street commissioner, and this position retained 
for two years. In all of his official capacities he proved himself an 
exceptionally competent public oliicer, and had the full confidence, 
respect and support of the public. In the spring of 1889 he 
opened a grocery establishment at No. 1407 Central Avenue, and to 
this business his attention has been given ever since. On April 0, 
1890, he removed to the large and handsome Simpson Block on 
Central Avenue, and at this place he is now conducting an exception- 
ally fine establishment, his patronage being very large. His friends 
are numerous, his enemies few, and being an honorable, upright citi 
zen, he fully deserves the confidence which the people repose in him. 
His marriage, which occurred July 5, 1882, was to Miss Mary E. 
Sullivan, a native of Washington, D. C , born in 1861, a daughter of 
John and Julia Sullivan, who were born in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. 
Manning have had four children as follows: The first was an infant 
daughter that died unnamed, the others are John M.. Julia and 
Robert E. Mr. Manning and his wife are consistent members of 
the Catholic Church, and the former is a member of the A. O. U. W'. 
and National Union, both insurance societies. In politics he is inde- 
pendent, with Democratic proclivities, and at all times an enthusi- 
astic supporter of measures tending to alleviate the working masses. 
From the foregoing, it will be seen that Mr. Manning has had a va- 
ried career, a most valuable experience, and whilst deprived of early 
educational advantages, he is a man of considerable literary attain- 
ments, and a writer and orator of much force, having made many pub- 
lic addresses, and contributed many readable articles to newspapers 
and magazines in this vicinity. 



^. 



f' 




WYANDOTTE COUNTY 



Frank Mapes. In every community we find men who wield an ex- 
tended intluence among their fellow- men, politically and otherwise 
and Mr. Mapes is one of these men. He was born m Racme, Wis. in 
186'' and came to Kansas with his parents in 1865, and was reared o 
manhood in Kansas City, Kas., receiving the advantages of a high- 
school education. On starting out in life for himself he learned the 
trade of a machinist with the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and after 
following this calling successfully for several years, he began working 
in the Missouri Pacific shops, continuing two years, after which he 
secured a position in the freight office at Kansas City Kas. He 
served one year as deputy postmaster of Wyandotte, and was aftei- 
ward elected to the office of clerk of the county, receiving his elec ion 
at the hands of his Democratic friends, of which party he is a member, 
although the county is strongly Republican. He discharged his duties 
faithfully for two years, and won the respect and confidence, not only 
of his constituents, but those who differed from him politically also. 
He is the present city assessor, his appointment being received m 
February, 1890. He and his partner, John Warren, a sketch of 
whom appears in this work, organized the Young Men's Democratic 
Club of Wvandotte County, which organization has rapidly increased 
in number;, and the meetings are held in their office. They form a 
substantial real estate firm, and also do an extensive brokerage busi- 
ness. Each of these young men are representatives of old and re- 
spected families of this county, and their lives have been such hat 
not a shadow can be advanced derogalory to the reputation.o either. 
Although they have only been in business a short time, they have es- 
tablished their affairs on a safe basis, and give every promise of be- 
coming wealthy men. 

Georcre W. Martin has been the editor and proprietor of the Kan 
sas City Gazette, since the month of July, 1888, and is well known 
throughout the State, and an able and successful journahst. The first 
number of the paper appeared in 1859, and has beeri issued once a 
week up to the present time. A daily was started m 1S88, and in this 
short space of time has reached a local circulation of over 2,000, and 
as it is a member of the Press News Association, it obtains the news of 
the country as quickly as any other daily. It is a yell-pnnted four- 
pa<.e sheet, and the weekly, which has a circulation of over 1,200, is an 
ei "ht-pacre Daper. In October, 18S9, the plant was moved to a sub- 
BtLtial Crick structure. 25x80 feet, on Sixth Street, in the business 
portion of the town, and iu connection with the newspaper work, all 



^ 




kinds of book and job printing are done. Mr. Martin is a Pennsylva- 
uian by birth, and in the month of March, 1857, came to Kansas, and 
settled in Douglas County, taking up his abode at a later period at 
Junction City, where he began publishing the Union. He was State 
printer for eight years, until 1881, and was the founder of what is now 
known as Printer's How, in Topeka, on Eighth Street and the Avenue. 
During 1865-66 he was register of the land office, and was the tirst 
removal by Andrew Johnson, and the first to be reinstated by Gen. 
Grant, in 1869. During the year 1867 he was internal revenue assess- 
oi'. He is past grand master of the State of the I. O. 0. F., and is a 
delegate to the Grand Lodge of the United States. Personally Mr. 
Martin is of a genial and social disposition, and possesses the instincts 
and training of a true gentleman. While he is not aggressive in opin- 
ion nor disputatious, yet he has most emphatically a "mind of his 
own," with the moral courage to express his views when occasion so 
demands, and fearlessly does so through the columns of his paper, 
which is one of the breezy and well-conducted journals of the State. 

Louis F. Martin, beef inspector, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Martin 
was originally from Alton, 111., his birth occurring on April 14, 1850, 
and is a son of James K. and Hannah C. Martin, the father a native of 
Wheeling Creek, Ohio, and the mother of Germany. James K. was 
born in 1816. attained his growth in his native State, and was one of 
the first engineers on the flatboats on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. 
During the Mexican War he enlisted in the Third United States Dra- 
goons, and served until the close.' He is at jjresent residing in Chicago, 
111. In politics he is a Republican. Louis F. Martin was reared to 
manhood partially in Alton, and when seven years of age, moved with his 
parents to Keokuk, Iowa, where they resided until 1864. He was 
educated in the public schools of Keokuk and Chicago, learned the 
trade of machinist at the Buckeye Foiindry in Keokuk, and was in 
the packing department for some time. After this he worked for Jef. 
Godman in Keokuk, and has worked for all the principal houses in 
Chicago. He came West in 1885, and took charge of the killing, cut- 
ting and casing department at Dods & Sons until 1889, when he was 
appointed inspector for the city. This position he tills at the present 
time. He was elected councilman at large in 1887, served two years, 
and was chairman of the Committee on Bridges and Viaducts, Jails and 
Police. He championed the cause of the constructing of the Seventh 
Street viaduct, and it is largely due to perseverance that the structure 
was completed. He visited Boston, made satisfactory arrangements. 



^^ 



^ "— -^t=J i:^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 721 



and spent one year in getting the proposed arrangements to a finish. 
He introduced the asphalt and vitrified brick pavements to this city, 
and championed the cause of the people against the waterworks com- 
pany. In the spring of 1889 he was candidate for mayor. Prior to 
his coming to this city he was superintendent for the J. E. Boyd Pack- 
ing House of Omaha. Mr. Martin was married to Miss Addie M. Hub- 
bard, native of Quincy, 111., and a direct descendant of William Penu, 
and goes back to the Puritans on the Hubbard side. To Mr. and Mrs. 
.Martin have been born these children: Charles F.. Louis Franldin, 
Mabel Florence, Adelaide Esther, Alice Maud. Lorraine F. and an 
infant. Mr. Martin affiliates with the Republican party in politics, 
and was elected to his present position on that ticket. He is a mem- 
ber of Killwidding Lodge No. 311, A. F. & A. M., Chapter No. 127, 
Chicago, and is past patron of Chicago Chapter O. E. S. of this order. 
He was grand marshal of Illinois for three years, of Excelsior Lodge 
No. 8, K. of P. , and assisted in the organization of Fort Dearborn 
Division No. 1, Uniform Rank of K. P. He is a charter member of 
Chicago Division No. 7, and a member of Fireside Council of National 
Union. Mr. Martin assists in enterprises of a public nature and all 
that are worthy of his consideration. 

W. W. Martin, projarietor of the Hans Dairy Farm, and one of the 
prominent business men of the county, was originally from Brown 
County, Ohio, his birth occurring on February 13, 1833, and is the 
son of Zachariah and Rebecca (Southerland) Martin, natives, respect- 
ively, of Virginia and Ohio, and of Scotch and Irish descent. They are 
both deceased, the father dying in Brown County, Ohio, in 1855, at 
the age of fifty- six years, and the mother when forty-seven years of 
age. He was an anti-slavery man, was a Whig in politics before the 
war, and afterward was a Republican. He was the son of Alexander 
Martin, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and who died in 
Ohio soon after moving to that State, being then fifty years of age. 
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin — four sons and two 
daughters— three now living. W. W. Martin, the fifth of the above- 
mentioned children, received his education in Brown County, Ohio, and 
after the death of his father, went to Putnam County, 111., making his 
home in that and La Salle County. In 186-1 he married Miss Emily 
Robinson, a native of Southern Illinois, bom in 1843, and the daugh- 
ter of Edward W. Robinson. Four interesting children were born to 
this union: May (wife of Angus Cameron, a stone-cutter of Kansas 
City, Kas. ), Edward W. (deputy postmaster of Kansas City, Kas. ), 



:f^ 



^1^ ^ -^ ^J!^ 

722 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Nettie (at home), and Daisy. Wliile living in La Salle County, 111., 
Mr. Martin followed farming, and this carried on until 1875, when he 
came to Kansas, and located in Johnson County. In 187U he located 
in Wyandotte County, and engaged in the dairy business in 1883, with 
four head of cattle. Since then he has developed the extensive trade 
which he now carries on. He has forty head of cows at the present 
time, and gets 100 gallons of milk per day. His farm of seventy-five 
acres s in the corporation, near the Rock Island roundhouse, and on 
the Murphy Boulevard. 

John R. Matney is a farmer and stock-raiser of Shawnee Town- 
ship, Wyandotte County, Kas. , and is one of the oldest and best known 
settlers of this region, having purchased his present admirably kept 
farm of 300 acres of Peggy Piebock, a Shawnee Indian. His birth 
occurred in Tazewell County, W. Va., January 23, 1834, he being the 
third of five children born to Charles and Abigail (Brown) Matney, 
both of whom were bom in that State, the former on November 24, 
1803. He spent his youth and early manhood in the county of his 
birth, following the occupation of farming, and here he remained 
until 1844, the two subsequent years being spent in the occupation of 
farming in Platte County, Mo. In the fall of 1846 he moved to Jack- 
son County, settling at Westport, where he purchased a good farm of 
100 acres, which he continued to till until the spring of 1866. In the 
fall of 1865 he lost his wife with small-iaox, but he still survives her, 
and is in the enjoyment of excellent health. In his early days he was 
renowned for his skill as a hunter, and many are the interesting inci- 
dents which he relates which occurred on his hunting expeditions. 
John R. Matney was reared to manhood in Westp)ort, Mo., but in 
1866 followed his father's footsteps, and came to Kansas, and as 
above stated purchased his present farm. Since then he has greatly 
improved his property, and besides clearing his land of stumps and 
building fences, he has a commodious nine-roomed house, built upon 
the southern plan, and excellent barns and sheds fpr the protection of 
his stock. He has a large herd of Durham cattle, which he raises ex- 
clusively, besides a sufficient number of horses and mules for the suc- 
cessful conduct of his farm. His orchard comprises 1,000 apple trees, 
and he has other fruit in like proportion, among which may be men- 
tioned a large vineyard, the most of which is devoted to Concord 
grapes. Mr. Matney is a Democrat in his political views, and on this 
ticket was elected township treasurer, and was also clerk of the same 
for a number of years. He was one of the first directors when the 

\^« ^ ' a)' V 







school distric-t was organized, is still sucb, and was one of the iucor 
porate officers of the township. He was a delegate to the Democratic 
State Convention for two years, and he is a member of Shawnee 
Lodge No. 54, of the A. F. & A. M. , of which he has been treasurer. 
He is in favor of the Farmers' Alliance movement, and in fact, takes 
a deep interest in all worthy enterprises. He experienced many 
hardships during the late war, being robbed and threatened by bush- 
whackers and deserters, but was fortunate enough to escape with only 
the loss of money. On March 15, 1855, he was married to Miss Mis- 
souri Matney, a daughter of William and Salli© (Yoknm) Matney, who 
were born in West Virginia. Mrs. Matney was born in Westport, 
Mo., in 1842, and her union with Mr. Matney has resulted in the birth 
of nine children: Sarah (wife of Dave Havard), William (is a resident 
of Colorado and is married to Tillie Burton), David, Ella (wife of 
Charles Dotson), Henry, Albert, Alex, Minnie and Edith. Mr. Matney 
is one of the county's best and most substantial citizens, and his life 
has been filled with deeds of kindness, it being truly said of him that 
he never violated a friendship nor forgot a kind action done him. 
Such men as he make model American citizens, and fully deserve the 
honor which they invariably receive. On his farm is a walnut tree 
growing, which sprouted from an old walnnt planted by James Quape, 
a Shawnee Indian, thirty years ago, the diameter of the stump being 
four feet. 

Michael MesL gardener, Turner, Kas. The occupation which Mr. 
Mesh now follows has received his attention for a number of years, and 
it is but the truth to say that in it he is thoroughly posted and well in- 
formed. He is one of the early settlers of Wyandotte Couniy, coming 
here in September, 1860, from Ohio, and has lieen engaged in gardening 
ever since. His father bought over twenty two acres just north of Wyan- 
dotte, and there our subject now resides. His father was a native of 
Baden Baden. Germany, born in 1812, and grew to raanhood'in bis native 
country, where he learned the butcher's trade. He came to the United 
States in 1835, spent some tinije in seeing the country, and finally set- 
tled in Cincinnati, Ohio, before that city had hardly started. He 
owned a great deal of property but it was destroyed by fire and water- 
and he afterward, in 1800, came to Kansas, where he resided until 
his death in 1870. His widow survived him but two years. They had six 
children: Sophia (wife of Conrad Zwissler), John, George. Louisa 
(wife of Lew Holly), and Kate (widow of John Farrell). Michael and 
John bought the interests of the other heirs, and in 1886 they liought 

"JT e^^ ^=F^=^IV^ 

T 



724 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



.twenty acres near Turner, which they began improving, and now 
have it iu firstclass condition, and have it dedicated to gardening and 
fruit raising. These two places they run in partnership, and have the 
home place in fifty bearing apple trees, all varieties, ten j)lum trees, 
thirty peach trees, seventj'-five cherry trees, two acres in raspberries, 
half au acre in blackberries, one acre of strawberries, and one acre in 
Concord grapes. They have three-fourths of an acre in asparagus, one 
acre in rhubarb and the balance in all kinds of gardening. At the 
home of our subject he has 100 apple trees, eight difFerent varieties, a few 
plum, cherry, and pear trees, one and a half acres in raspberries, one- 
half acre in blackberries, one acre in strawberries, one acre in grapes, 
one-fourth of an acre in asparagus, and one-half acre in rhubarb. 
They make a specialty of early and late vegetables, and are well sup- 
plied with all kinds of machinery, etc., necessary to carry on the busi- 
ness successfully. They have 8,000 feet of glass, thus enabling them 
to raise all kinds of vegetables in the winter and spring, and late in the 
fall. Michael Mesh was born iu Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 31, 
1855, and there attained his growth. He was married in Wyandotte 
County, Kas., in 1885, to Miss Rebecca Anna Morrow, the daughter 
of Thomas and Emily Morrow, natives of Mis.souri and Ohio, respect- 
ively. She was born in Clay County, Mo., on February 14, 1868, and 
two children are the result of their union: Emma Louisa and John. 
Mr. Mesh is a Democrat in politics, and was reared in the Catholic 
faith. He supports any enterprise that has for its object the welfare 
of the county. 

James N. Myers, one of the original white settlers of Quindaro 
Township, located here in 1863, and since his residence here he has 
been very prominently identified with the material afPairs of this com- 
munity, indeed far more so than the average of men. He was born in 
Montgomery County, Ind., on October 14, 1846, and is the third of 
five children born to James and Mary A. (Matthews) Myers, natives of 
Kentucky, where the father was reared to manhood. The latter was 
given a common-school education, and carried on agricultural pursuits 
the principal part of his life. He moved west in 1839, settled in Mont- 
gomery County, and here continued his chosen occupation until 1859, 
when he came to this State, locating at Fort Scott, where he remained 
until 1868. He was a member of the State Militia, and was killed during 
Gen. Price's raid. James N. Myers was reared to manhood partly in In- 
diana and partly in Kansas, and when seventeen years of age, he enlisted 
iu the Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry, under Capt. Stubblefield. in the We.st- 



"^ 



s V^ 



^L^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 725 



ern Division. His compauy followed Gen. Price in his retreat from 
Lexington, Mo. , to Arkansas River, and captured Gen. Marmaduke at 
Mine Creek, on the Missouri and Kansas line. They followed Gen. 
Price to Arkansas River, and then went to Fort Leavenworth, where 
they were mustered out in December, 1865. During the Indian 
troubles in the spring of 1865, this company was sent to Colorado, 
Wyoming Territory and Nebraska, to quell the disturbance, and re- 
mained nine months. Returning to Fort Leavenworth, Mr. Myers 
came to this county and settled in this township, where he purchased 
200 acres of land in 1878. The year previous to this he was appointed 
keeper of the poor farm, and remained in that position one term. He 
then returned to his farm, and has met with excellent success, being 
one of the solid farmers and representative citizens of this county. 
In October. 1809, he was married to Miss Anna Malott, daughter of 
Hiram and Susan E. Malott. and a native of Platte County, Mo. , born 
in Jime, 1853. They have four children: Martha Elizabeth, Charles 
I., Lenora and James A. Mr. Myers affiliates with the Democratic 
party in his political views. He has held the {position of school director 
for several years, and is a man who contributes liberally to all char- 
itable or worthy enterprises. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. , 
Delaware Lodge No. 90. 

John F. Meyers, contractor and builder, Kansas City, Kas. 
Among the many industries of a town and county worthy of record, 
and standing among the foremost in importance is that of contractor 
and builder. Prominent among those engaged in this is Mr. Meyers, 
who was born in Franklin County, Mo., in 1843, and who was reared 
and received a good common-school education in that county. He 
also learned the trade of contractor and builder there, and remained 
there until 1806, when he came to Kansas. He first located in Wyan- 
dotte, taught an English and a German school for five months, and then 
began contracting, which he has carried on ever since. He found plenty 
of work and did the work on several houses himself during the panic. 
He is a skilled workman, and is prospering in this business. He is 
the owner of a lot, 180x115 feet, at the corner of Third and Virginia 
Avenue, has three houses on the same, and is the owner of three or 
four other places in the city, some business property on Minnesota 
Avenue and his shop on Fifth Street. He is one of the leading con- 
tractors of the city, and is highly respected and esteemed as a thor- 
oughly reliable man of business. In 1807 he was united in marriage 
to Miss Carrie M. Harris, of St. Louis County, Mo. , and they have 






A 




one child, Jessie I. Mr. Meyers is the son of F. W. and Anna 
Meyers, both natives of Germany. The parents came to the United 
States in 1837 and settled in Franklin Connty, Mo. Our subject is 
a Repnblican in his political principles, and socially is a member of 
the I. O. O. F. He is a member of the Methodist Ejaiscopal Church, 
and is not only a competent, successful and reliable business man, but 
is a man highly esteemed for his social qualities. 

George C. Mick first came to "Wyandotte County, Kas. , in 1870, 
and during the four years that he then made his home here, he spent 
one year in driving a freight wagon from the frontier towns to the In- 
dian Nation. At the end of the four years he went to Ohio, where he 
remained eight years engaged in farming, and from this State he re- 
moved to Iowa, and one year later returned to Wyandotte County, 
Kas., and here followed the occupation of farming for some years, but 
of late years has given his attention to the raising of small fruit and 
potatoes. He owns twelve and one-half acres in Section 23, which is 
devoted to fruit as follows: Four acres in raspberries, one and one-half 
acres in strawberries, 700 apple trees, 130 plum trees and thirty-tive acres 
are given to potatoes, the yield annually being from 100 to 250 bushels 
to the acre. He raises about 10, 000 heads of cabbage, also other vege- 
tables in large quantities. He seems to be especially well adapted to 
this calling, for he has met with a more than average degree of suc- 
cess, and his efforts to makea success of his life is well worthy the em- 
ulation of all. He was born in Pike County, Ohio, August 28, 1849, 
being the eldest of seven children born to Peter and Caroline (Bar- 
tholomew) Mick, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. The 
father died in 1862 and the mother in 1874, both being deeply re- 
gretted by their children. George C. Mick was reared to mature 
years in Missouri and Illinois, and after his father's death he moved 
with his mother to Kentucky, and from there back to Ohio soon after- 
ward. In the fall of 1865 George C. returned to Missouri, then came 
to Kansas as above stated. He was married in 1876 to Miss Clara 
Morris, of Ohio, and to them five children have been born: Almus, 
George, Etta, Fredie and Nellie. Mr. Mick has always supported 
Republican principles, and he and his wife are worthy mernbers of the 
Christian Church. He also belongs to the Farmers' Alliance, and is a 
supporter of all worthy public enterprises. 

Adolph Miller is a carpenter and joiner, but at the present time is 
engaged principally in horticulture, an enterprise that pays well in 
this section of the country. He is a native of Poland, his birth occur- 

I CI "g ^ 



^^'- 



Vf 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



727 



ring near the ancient city of Poseu, on August 16, 1856, he being 
the third of three children, the two other members of the family 
dying in infancy. Their father was of German birth, and died at 
the age of forty-seven years, having been a carpenter and joiner 
throughout life. The mother was a native of Poland and died at 
the age of fifty- nine years. Adolph Miller emigrated from his native 
land in the fall of 1863 direct to New York City; went from there to 
Chicago, from there direct to Lawrence and Wj^audotte, Kas. , where 
he was employed on the building of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, then 
the Union Pacific, now located in Wyandotte, Kas. The county at 
that date was in a very primitive -condition, forty or fifty houses con- 
stituting the present flourishing Kansas City, Kas., and his father 
felled the first tree ever cut on his present farm. He settled on his 
farm of thirty acres in 1868, it being at that time overgrown with 
brush and timber, and he and his mother, who was a widow, cleared 
the farm themselves and converted the same into a flourishing garden 
.spot. Here Mr. Miller began for himself the hard battle of life. 

The uncleared forest, the unbroken soil, 
The iron barlt that turns the lumberer's axe, 
The rapid that e'er bears the boatman's toil. 
The prairie, hiding the mazed wanderer's tracks, 
The ambushed Indian, the prowling bear; 
.Such were the needs that helped his youth to train — 
Rough culture — but such trees large fruit may bear. 
If but their stocks be of right girth and grain. 

Mr. Miller expects to devote his farm to horticultural purposes, and 
it must be said that he could do no better, for on account of his close 
proximity to the "Chicago of the West,'" it is sure to prove very 
profitable. The first cost of his land was about $15 per acre, but he 
now values it at $200 per acre. He has a commodious and comfort- 
able frame residence, good barns, etc. At the present time he is rais- 
ing the following varieties of fruits : Apples, peaches, pears, cherries, 
apricots, the best varieties of grapes, strawberries, raspberries, black- 
berries, gooseberries and currants. His early edtication was obtained 
in the common schools of this county with the Indians, in fact, his 
teacher was part Indian, and he remembers many interesting circum- 
stances that happened during this time. He afterward attended what 
was known as the " Stone School " or "old No. 2," where he received 
sufficient education to fit him for the practical duties of life. He was 
married to Miss Luella Holly, who was born near Albany. Wis., her 



9 L^ 



'Vji 



728 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



education being received in Kansas, and many of her old schoolmates 
and classmates were members of the Wyandotte tribe of Indians. Her 
marriage to Mr. Miller took place on May IH, 1880, and to their union 
two sons have been born: Ernest (aged nine years), and Alphonso 
(aged seven). Mr. Miller has always been a Democrat, and his first 
presidential vote was cast for Gen. Hancock. 

Alexander E. Miller, farmer and fruit grower, Pomeroy, Kas. This 
esteemed and very industrious citizen is a native of the Keystone State, 
his birth occurring in York County, on October 12, 1816, and is a son 
of David and Elizabeth (Ewing) Miller, the father a native of Ger- 
many, and the mother of Pennsylvania. Both were of Scotch descent. 
Their children, ten in number, of whom our subject was the third, are 
named as follows: Jane (married Joseph Feltenburger, of York 
County, Penn. ), John, Eve (became the wife of Thomas Nessworthy), 
David, Samuel, Elizabeth A. , William, Mary Ann (wife of Henry Chap- 
man), and Phoebe C. (wife of George Chapman). Mr. Miller was mar- 
ried in 1841, to Miss Elizabeth Richard, daughter of Benjamin and 
Catherine (Huston) Richard, and his union was blessed by the birth of 
nine children, sis of whom are still living: William R. (resides in 
Cambridge, Ohio), Margaret J. (wife of Reuben W. Fishburn, of 
Kansas City, Kas.), Franklin P. (a resident of this county), James H. 
(a resident of the county), Andrew C. (also a resident of Kansas City, 
Kas.), and Florence (wife of Burt Beedle, and a resident of Rosedale, 
Kas). Mr. Miller came to Wyandotte County in 1869, and located on 
his present property, consisting of ninety-seven acres six miles north- 
west of Kansas City, where he has resided ever since. He has one of 
the best improved farms in the county, and has excellent buildings, 
good barns, etc. Everything indicates to the beholder that the owner 
is progressive and thoroughgoing. He raises various kinds of fruits, 
and on his farm are splendid springs of clear, cold water Mr. Miller 
was reared a stone-mason, and followed that trade most all the time 
until coming to Kansas. He believes in liberal education, and is an 
active supporter of various enterprises. He has at all times sup- 
ported the Republican party, and is a strict partisan. He and Mrs. 
Miller are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

G. A. Miller, ex superintendent of the Blind Asylum of Wyandotte 
County, Kas., has been a resident of this State since 1865, but was 
born in Wayne County, N. Y. , in 1835, and from the time he was 
three years- of age he was reared in the State of Michigan. Besides 
attending the common schools, he received a good academic education, 



^ 



'k. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



729 



and upon attaining a suitable age he opened a mercantile establish- 
ment in Adrian, Mich., which he conducted in a highly satisfactory 
manner for ten years. He was married in this State, in 1858, to Miss 
Jnlia A. Stowers, a native of JefFerson County, N. Y., and to them a 
family of two children have been born: Fred W. (aged seventeen years), 
and Clara L. (aged sixteen). On coming to this State Mr. Miller 
first settled in Leavenworth, and during a residence of ten years there, 
was employed in heating buildings by steam, but was then appointed 
to the position of superintendent of the Blind Asylum of Wyandotte 
County, he being the third man to hold that responsible position. He 
was fourteen years in office, was under three diflFerent boards of trust- 
ees, and during all this time his management was never found fault 
with or criticised. He did all his own work and then resigned the 
position because the salary had been reduced. He has been quite 
an extensive dealer of real estate since he located here, and is the 
owner of a large ranch near the city. He platted the first addition 
to Kansas City in the eighties, was J. O. Stout & Co.'s first, second 
and third additions, and is interested in other property. Kansas 
City was a small town when he came here, and at that time there 
was not a railroad in operation in the State, but he began to purchase 
land, and is now the owner of between 4,000 and 5,000 acres, on which 
he is extensively engaged in raising horses, cattle and hogs. His 
residence in the town is handsome and commodious, admirably fitted 
up with all modern conveniences and heated by steam. He and wife 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are highly 
honored residents of Kansas City. Mr. Miller inherits German blood 
of his father, who was a native of Canada, born in 1803. The latter 
removed to the States in his young days and settled in the State of 
New York, aboiit 1810 or 1812, and was there married to Miss Lydia 
Dorsey, who was born near Baltimore, Md., in 1797, her father, who 
was of Irish descent, being an extensive slave holder. The mother 
died in 1886. lacking a few days of being ninety years of age. She 
was vigorous mentally and physically until a short time before her death, 
and of a family of sixteen children of which she was a member, none 
died prior to seventy years of age. The Second and Fifth Methodist 
Episcopal Conferences in Wayne County, N. Y., were held in Daniel 
Dorsey' s (the grandfather's) granary, by Bishop Asbury, and the 
family have in their possession a tablecloth on which the communion 
was given, and also a watch given Mr. Miller's mother by that emi- 
nent divine. 



^-* 



i V 



730 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



George Miller, one of the representative citizens of Kansas City, 
Kas , and tbe owner of considerable real estate, is of foreign birth, 
having been born in Hanover, Germany, November 10, 1822. His 
parents, Frederick W. and Catherine Augusta Miller, were natives also 
of the same country. The father followed the butcher's trade until 
his death, which occurred in 1836. In 1844 our subject came to the 
United States, landed in New Orleans, and from there went to St. 
Louis, Mo., where he resided for ten years, following the butcher's 
trade, which he had learned from his father. From there he went to 
Peoria, HI., continued his former business, and made his home there 
for eighteen years. During this time he entered tbe United States Navy, 
enlisting at Chicago, April 15, 1805, serving on tbe " La Fayette,' ' which 
floated on the Mississippi Eiver between St. Louis and Memphis. He 
was shipped as a seaman, and served during the last few months of the 
war, after which he was forced into the regular service, where he served 
out his regular time of three years. He was under Capt. Foster, and 
was mustered out in Maryland, in 1868. After the war he went home, 
and in 1870 moved to Kansas City, Mo., where he conducted the 
butcher's business, until 1880. Mr. Miller was married November 7, 
1851, to Miss Amelia Gabbles, a native of Hanover, Germany, born 
January 22, 1832, and the daughter of Matthias and Sophia Gabbles, 
natives of Germany also. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller ten children have 
been born, six living: Lewis, Katie, George, Joseph, Constantine and 
Amanda. Mr. Miller and his family are members of the Catholic 
Church, and are liberal in their support of all laudable public enter- 
prises. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. He has been a resident 
of Kansas City, Kas., since 1884, and although he has retired from the 
butcher's business, he has invested largely in real estate, and is the 
owner of considerable rental property. 

Thomas H. Miller is foreman of the packing department of Ar- 
mour's Packing House at Kansas City, and has been in the employ of 
the same since 1873, with the exception of three years spent in Kan- 
sas City, during Garfield's and Arthur's administration, when he was 
in the United States Revenue Department. At the end of that time 
he gave up his position, and returned to his former employment with 
Armour, and has proved a valuable man to his employer, ably discharg- 
ing his duties. He was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1839, and at 
the age of seventeen years came to America, and located in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and at the time of the opening of the late war he was clerking 
in that city. He continiied his duties until 1862, when he joined the 



*7I^ 






A 

l^ 




Ohio State Militia, and was in active service during the Kirhy Smith 
and Morgan raids. While under Col. Roberts they captured Morgan 
and his men on the Ohio River in Ohio, after which they were dis- 
banded for the time being. Mr. Miller was afterward mustered into 
service once more, and went to Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Md., and was 
with Gen. Grant during the last campaign, but was stationed at Fort 
McHenry a portion of the time, to guard prisoners. ' He was mustered 
out of service in Ohio in 1864. after which he returned to his former 
employment of clerking, and remained thus occupied until 1868 at 
which time he went to New York City, where he fortunately secured 
employment and made his home four years. In 1872 he came west to 
Kansas City, Kas., and has held his present position as above stated. 
He was married to Miss Agnes Anderson, and by her is the father of 
one child. Clifford H. He and his wife are members of the Presbyte- 
rian Church, and he is a warm supporter of Republican principles. 
His father. George Miller, was a worthy and honest tiller of the soil in 
Scotland. 

Ernest M. Mills, M. D., is a young physician of acknowledged 
merit in Wyandotte County, Kas., and although he has only practiced 
his profession since March 25, 1890, he gives every promise of becom- 
ing eminent in his calling, and already commands the respect of his 
medical brethren in Kansas City. He was born in Washington County, 
Iowa, January 3, 1863, being a son of Manning and Ursula (Stone) 
Mills, who were native Ohioans, the former born in Trumbull, and the 
latter in Ashtabula County. Dr. Mills continued to make his home 
in his native county until 1879, when he removed to Streator. 111., 
and there attended the public schools for a period of four years, after 
which he followed various occupations until 1887. In the meantime 
he had begun the study of medicine, and in the fall of that year he 
entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Chicago, and in 
this institution was a faithful student until his graduation, which took 
place March 25, 1890, While still a student he had practiced some 
in Chicago, but April 23, 1890, he removed to Kansas, and opened an 
office in Kansas City, where he has since held forth. Although his 
career here has been short, he has won the good -will and respect of 
many, and he will soon have a lucrative practice. He is a believer in 
Republican principles, and always votes that ticket. 

Homer F. Mitchell, another prominent business man of Kansas 
City, Kas., was originally from the Empire State, his birth occurring 
in St. Lawrence County, February 24, 1854. He is at present in the 



^l^ 



732 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



employ of the great plant, "The Keystone Iron Works," at Kansas 
City, Kas., and is a pattern-maker in the same. Of the eight children 
born to his jjarents he is the youngest in order of birth. Those living 
are named as follows: Louise (resides in Omaha, and is the widow 
of Hiram Lamphear, who was a boot and shoe manufacturer), Martha 
(resides in Kansas City, and is the wife of President James Smith, of 
the Keystone Iron Works), Nellie (married Charles Matthews, a ma 
chinist, and resides in Kansas City, Kas.). Homer F. Mitchell was edu- 
cated in the common schools and in the State Normal Training School 
in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. , remaining in the last-named institu- 
tion for eight years, and being well fitted for the practical life he has 
since led. He started out for himself at the age of fifteen years; was 
in a sash and door shop for nine years, and in 1878 came West. He 
began working in the Keystone Iron Works, and there he has remained 
for twelve years. During this time he has been engaged in carpenter 
work, also pattern work, and in fact everything requiring mechanical 
skill. Here he has gained the universal good-will of all his employers. 
He is at present engaged in the general pattern work of this plant. 
May 24, 1882, Mr. Mitchell's marriage to Miss Emma Chonteau was 
solemnized. She was born in Kansas City, Mo. , and educated in the 
city graded schools. The fruits of this union were two little daugh- 
ters: Louise (aged six years), and Carrie (aged two years). Mr. 
Mitchell is Democratic in his political views, and has aimed to support 
only the best men, but has never been a bitter partisan. He is a 
gentleman who will not let politics interfere with his business. He is 
a member of the K. of P., of Wyandotte, Kas., Fellowship Lodge No. 
2. Mrs. Mitchell is a member of the Catholic Church, and her grand- 
mother was the first white woman to set foot in Kansas City, Mo. 
They have contributed of their means to all enterprises of a laudable 
character, and are esteemed and respected by all acquainted with 
them. Mr. Mitchell has chosen the profession of pattern-maker for 
a life occupation, and this he finds a lucrative business. He is a 
young gentleman of exemplary character, and has a bright future 
before him. He has the united confidence and esteem of his superiors 
and his fellow- workers. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are residents of \Vyan- 
dotte, Kas., where they are the owners of a nice cottage on Twelfth 
Street. Here they are held in high esteem by their friends and 
neighbors, 

William S. Mitchell, mechanic, Kansas City, Kas. That great 
plant, The Keystone Iron Works, finds employment for many individuals, 



3?n 



t 



Ml 




and among the number we tind the name of William S. Mitchell, who 
has served faithfully as foreman of the architectural department of this 
immense plant for the past twelve years. Like many other represent- 
ative citizens, he is a native of New York State, his birth occurring in 
July, 1842, and was the youngest of eleven children. His father was 
a native of Ireland, and was a weaver of linen in the old country. He 
died at the age of eighty-four years. The mother was also a native of 
the Emerald Isle, and died when seventy-two years of age. William S. 
Mitchell secured his early education in the public schools of Buffalo, N. 
Y.. and this fitted him for the practical life he has since led. When 
fourteen years of age, he commenced as an apprentice to a printer, then 
shipped on the great lakes, as cabin-boy, and afterward became fore- 
castle-boy on the lake schooner. He remained in that capacity for two 
years, and then attended public schools for three years. After this he 
went to Canada, and there served as salesman for nine years in a gen- 
eral store. and then embarked in the life-insurance business in Lockport, 
N. Y. From there he went to Kansas City, Mo., in 1869, and entered 
the emjiloy of J. P. Green, of the Iron Works, out of which grew the 
Keystone Iron Works. He remained in this plant until the firm was 
christened The Keystone Iron Works of Kansas City, Kas. During the 
past twelve years Mr. Mitchell has served faithfully and well as foreman 
of the architectural department, and no man is held in higher esteem. 
He has about thirty men at the present time under his management, 
although when he first started he had but six men, including himself, 
and it is thus clearly seen how rapidly the Keystone Works have ad- 
vanced. He is a favorite not only with his employers, but has the good- 
will of the men under him. In Kansas City, Mo., in November, 1870, 
Mr. Mitchell was married to Miss Elizabeth B. Noble, a native of Scot- 
land, born in the city of Edinburg. She was educated in her native 
country, and in Germany. Her father, who was a tobacconist by occu- 
pation, is now deceased. Mr. Mitchell's marriage resulted in the birth 
of three children — two sons and one daughter: David (deceased), 
Janet (resides at home, and has a good common-school education), and 
William (is at home, and is fourteen years of age). Mr. Mitchell is a 
Republican in his political views, and his first presidential vote was for 
Gen. V. S. Grant, during his second administration. He lost his com- 
panion in life in 1886, from an acute attack of cancer, and her remains 
are interred in the Elmwood Cemetery, Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Mitch- 
ell is now residing at 548 Freeman Avenue. He has seen Kansas City. 
Mo., and Wyandotte when they were almost in their infancy, and where 



-,f 



^1 







the Uuion Depot now stands it was almost a wilderness. He bas wit- 
nessed tbe wonderful development of both Kansas City, Mo., and Kan- 
sas City, Kas. , and tbe changes have been remarkable. He expects to 
make Kansas City, Mo., bis borne, where he is well known, and where 
bis honesty and integrity are tbe guiding stars to his .success in life. 

Mcirtin Lnther Mooney resides with his uncle, R. T. Mooney. in 
Grinter, Wyandotte County, Kas., and though at different times he 
has worked as carpenter and joiner, be is at tbe present writing en- 
gaged in tilling tbe soil. He is a native of North Carolina, bis birth 
occurring in the village of Fairview, in that State, on February S, 
1873. He is tbe fourth of a family of six children born to his parents, 
viz. : James O. (who resides in Wyandotte County, and is a brick- 
mason and carpenter by trade), Mary (who is now Mrs. Fletcher Aus- 
tin, and lives in Limestone, N. C), Robert D. (lives in Fairview), N. 
C. (is single, and a carpenter and joiner), Martin Luther (tbe subject 
of the present sketch), Mattie C. (lives in Fairview, N. C. ), and 
Charles B. (the youngest child, who bas just reached his eleventh 
year). The father is fifty-two years of age, was born in North Caro- 
lina, and bas at different periods of his life been a mechanic and en- 
gaged in mercantile business. He is living at tbe present writing in 
Fairview, N. C, and upon tbe whole bas had a successful life. Tbe 
mother died in her fortieth year. Martin Mooney was educated in 
tbe common schools, and also took a course in the graded schools of 
Asbville, in his native State. He greatly appreciates the value of 
practical knowledge, and endeavors to succeed in life by means of in- 
dustry and good judgment. At tbe age of sixteen he commenced life 
for himself, and turned his attention to farming. He had no finan- 
cial assistance, and depended wholly upon himself in all business trans- 
actions, and bas been quite successful. He manifests great interest 
in politics, being a stanch Democrat and true to bis partj' principles. 
He is a member of tbe Farmers' Alliance, and fully believes that by 
consistency of purpose they can accomplish much good for agricult- 
urists throughout the county. Mr. Mooney belongs to the Baptist 
Church, and is at all times a generous contributor to religious causes. 
In point of fact Mr. Mooney will always continue to meet with suc- 
cess, which is the sure result of strict integrity and energetic business 
habits. 

Robert Taylor Mooney, tbe subject of tbe present sketch, is one of 
the most prosperous and popular residents of Wyandotte County, 
Kas. His birth occurred at Rutherford, N. C. , on October 24, 1846, be 



^ 



r 



'^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



735 



being the fourth child of the three sous and three daughters born to his 
parents. The names of these chiklreu are Jonathan (who resides in 
Fairview, N. C, and is a merchant), Elizabeth (who is at present a 
widow and living in South Carolina), Robert Taylor (a history of whose 
life now claims attention), Emillie (the wife of a prominent planter in 
the State of North Carolina), Sarah Caroline (the youngest of the 
family, and who resides in North Carolina). The parents were both 
natives of that State, the former being a millwright by profession. 
The father is dead, but the mother, at the advanced age of seventy - 
one, continues to enjoy good health. Robert received his education 
at the common schools, where he fitted himself for the practical duties 
of life, and he has always been a stong advocate of the principles 
which tend to develop practical results, and opposed to the forms of 
education which yield mere surface knowledge. After reaching his 
nineteenth year he commenced to work for himself, adopting the pro- 
fession of a millwright, and making a decided success of this, his 
chosen vocation. Mr. Mooney married Miss Mary Elizabeth Grinter, 
on May 20, 1875. The ceremony was performed in Wyandotte County, 
where Miss Grinter was born February 9, 1857, and where she received 
a good education in the public schools. To them have been born six 
children: Mattie Francis (died in early infancy), Ora Etta (is twelve 
years old and resides with her parents, she evinces great fondness for 
study, and has already made great progress in her music, and will re- 
ceive a thorough education), Anna Emily (is nine years old), Bertha 
Elizabeth (aged seven), John Clay (is five years old), and Ella Florence 
(is in her second year). Politically Mr. Mooney has always been in 
sympathy with the Democratic party, and to its interests has devoted 
much time and consideration. He was treasurer of Wyandotte Town- 
ship for two terms, an office which he filled most satisfactorily, and 
which proved his popularity in the community in which he resides. 
Diuing the past three years Mr. Mooney has acted as school trustee. 
He is\ member of the A. F. & A. M., Delaware Lodge No. 96, in 
White Church, Kas., and also of the Farmers' Alliance. He favors 
harmony in all the relations of life, and in all classes of business. 
Mr. Mooney is a faithful member of the Baptist Church, and his wife 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They both manifest great inter- 
est in religious matters, and especially in Sabbath -schools. Mr. 
Mooney emigrated from North Carolina to Kansas, in the year 1871, 
locating in Johnson County, where he purchased ten acres of land, 
and which he afterward sold. He has worked at his trade in the fol- 



IKT 



^^ 



(3() 



HISTOliY OF KANSAS. 



lowing places, viz. : Kansas City, Mo., Kansas City, Kas., Leavenwortli, 
Atchison, Valley Falls and Junction City. His work bas at all times 
been very superior, and he has commanded good salaries, having been 
employed in the erection of some of the most imjwrtant elevators, 
mills, and manufactories in the vicinity of the above-named cities. 
At the time of his arrival in this county it was not developed at all, 
and the growth is due to the push and energy of the men who settled 
hero. At the present writing he owns a valuable tract of land com- 
prising 160 acres, which is valued at from |;JCO to $500 per acre, and 
upon this is a lovely farm residence, and all modern conveniences. 

Whit Moran, mechanic, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Moran, the subject 
of this mechanical sketch, is foreman of the blacksmith shops in the 
great plant known as " The Keystone Iron Works," Kansas City, Kas., 
and in this capacity his superior is not to be found. He was born iu 
Charleston, W. Va., on July, 1, 1855, and of the eight children born 
to his parents he was fifth in order of birth. His father was a native 
of Monroe County. W. Va. , and was a carpenter and joiner by trade. 
His death occurred in 1873. The mother, also a native of the Pan- 
Haudle State, is now sixty-two years of age, and resides in Cole Val- 
ley, W. Va. Whit Moran obtained an early education in the common 
schools, and commenced life for himself at the early age of fourteen 
years as a blacksmith with his Ijrother. He remained with his brother 
two years, became a skilled mechanic, and then went to Huntington, W. 
Va. , where he remained over six years as blacksmith in the Chesapeake & 
Ohio Railroad sho[)s. From there he moved to Kansas City, Mo. . in 187U, 
went to work for the Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad shops, but only re- 
mained there a short time. He then entered the rolling-mills at Rose- 
dale. Kas., continued there two years, and then went to Kansas City, 
Mo., where he entered the employ of "The Keystone Iron Works " 
in 1881, and has been closely identified with the same ever since. He 
entered the shops as foreman of the blacksmith shops, and he has a 
force of expert smiths and helpers from eighteen to twenty in number. 
He oversees all large contracts for distant States and Territories which 
are sent to the Keystone Iron Works. Mr. Moran is a gentleman 
who has the entire confidence of his employers, and the perfect good- 
will of his men. He receives a large and lucrative salary, which 
stamps him as a man who is well qualified to take full charge of any 
place or calling in his trade or profession. Mr. Moran was married 
on August 21, 1889, to Miss Maggie Clarkin, a native of Ireland, 
their marriage being solemnized in Wvandotte, Kas. Mrs. Moran 



^ 



;iv^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 737 



was educated iu the graded schools of Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Moraa 
adheres in principle and precept to the Democratic party, is an ardent 
admirer of Hon. Grover Cleveland, and his first prosidental vote was 
for S. J. Tildeu, of New York. He has been an active politician, and 
has endeavored to support men of {jrinciple and honor. Mr. and 
Mrs. Moran reside on Lyons Avenue. Wyandotte, Kas., and here 
they expect to make their future home. Mr. Moran is a young gen 
tleman whose future is bright before him, and he commands the true 
respect of all with whom he comes in contact. He is skilled in his 
profession, and at any time can find employment. He is an exem- 
plary young man iu his habits, or he could not hold the responsible 
position he fills at the present time. His record shows that he has 
not lost a week's time in five years. When he first came to Kansas 
City, Mo., it was a straggling city of perhaps a population of 60,000, 
and he has seen the wonderful changes and developments which have 
taken place since then. He has known Kansas City in all her changes, 
and many fortunes have been made out of real estate. The city has 
a population now of 138,000. 

Frederick Morasch, fruit-grower, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Morasch 
was originally from Germany, his birth occurring on April 21, 1819, 
and is a son of Jacob and Marguerite Johanna (Miller) Morasch, the 
parents also natives of Germany. The father was game- keeper for 
the Duke of Nassau. He reared a family of four children — two sons 
and two daughters — the daughters being the elder and born in 1812 
and 181*5. The father died November 2, 1845, and the mother on 
March 20, 1841. Frederick Morasch attended school from the age of 
six to fourteen years, and then worked with a paper and window blind 
hanger. Later he learned the stone mason's trade with his father's 
brother, and remained working with him for about ten years, working 
on one building for two years. When about twenty-five years of age, 
he selected for his life companion Miss Christina Herrmann, a native 
of Germany, who died on July 9, 1881. Mr. Morasch was the father 
of seven children by this union, only two now living: Christina Phil- 
bina Lena (was born on January 17, 1846, and died when quite 
young), Johann Christian Karl (born on September IS, 1848, and died 
in 1850), Maria Barbara (was born March 9, 1851, and died when 
young), John Phillip W. (was born on December 10, 1852, and is now 
living with his father; he was married on July 23, 1878, to Miss 
Mary Moerer, and they have four children, one, Charles H. , died on 
May 22, 1890, at the age of seventeen months), Johannatha P. fwas 



^^ 



738 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



bora on January 27, 1855, and is the wife of John Kern, residing in 
Denver), Francis P. (was born on April 27, 1857, and died in Novem- 
ber, 1877), and Mary Louisa (was born on March 2, 18fi0, and died 
on September 13, 1865). After his marriage Mr. Morasch worked at 
his trade in his native country until 1848, and at that time the Revo- 
lution caused him to seek more congenial climes. He emigrated to 
America, landed in New York on March 19 of that year, and then 
moved to Jackson County, Ind., where his brother and some old 
friends were living. He resided in Brownstown, Ind., until he came 
to Kansas, and worked at his trade for two years. He then went on 
the farm, and at one time owned 240 acres of land, which he sold 
when contemjilating to remove to this State. While in Indiana he 
was a member of the Lutheran Church, and an active worker in the 
same. Politically he is a Republican, and socially he is an honorable 
member of the I. O. O. F., having been a member of the same for 
twenty-five years. 

Charles Morasch, a prominent old citizen of Quindaro Township, 
and another of the many enterprising men of foreign birth now resid- 
ing in Wyandotte County, was originally from Germany, born in a 
portion that now is a part of Russia, in 1822. He received a good 
education in Germany, learned the stone-mason' s trade, and worked at 
this imtil 1846, when he came to America, locating first in New York 
City, but his first work was done iu BufPalo. He first received $10 
a month with board but soon tired of this, and went to Sandusky, 
where he obtained no employment, and he then went to Lower 
Sandusky. From there he went to Toledo, then on the canal to Cincin- 
nati, and only had enough money to pay for a week's board in Cincin- 
nati. After this he experienced some pretty hard times, until he met 
some friends who assisted him. He afterward went to Madison, Ind., 
and secured work on the strength of being a finished workman, having 
served three full years as an apprentice. He would not work under 
wages, and as a result was obliged to go to Brownstown, Ind., where 
he received 14 per month for six mouths. He then went to a fellow- 
countryman, and got S'l per day for putting up hay, after which he 
got work at his trade. As soon as his skill manifested itself, he re- 
ceived from $2.50 to $3 per day, and remained in the vicinity for nine 
years. He was married to Miss Sarah Winkler, a native of Virginia, 
born in 1833, and eight living children are the fruits of this union: 
Charles, Jennie, William, Loiiise, Fred N. (a merchant of Wyandotte), 
Otto, Frank and Teenie C. After his marriage Mr. Morasch bought a 



^^^t^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 739 



farm and worked at bis trade in Jackson County, Ind., until 1855. 
He then emigrated to Wabaunsee County, Kas. . Mill Creek, where he 
expected to be in a German settlement, but seeing the necessity of a 
mixed population he came to Quindaro, Wyandotte County, in 1857. He 
worked at his trade here until 1859, speculated in Quindaro and else- 
where, and lost about $3,000 on property and grocery business, and 
at the same time carried on his trade. He resided in Quindaro, from 
1857 until the fall of 1860. when he purchased his present farm con- 
sisting of seven hundred acres. He improved the same, built a 
good house, and prospered very tinely until 1877, when his house 
burned down. Not discouraged, he went to work and erected a fine 
brick house, in which he now resides, and which is an ornament to his 
place. There are eleven rooms in the house, all heated by a good 
furnace, and he also has a good cellar. Ho has earned the right to be 
comfortable in his declining years, and can now pass his days in ease, 
and even in kixury. In politics Mr. Morasch is a Democrat. He 
was a member of the State militia one month, and during Gen. Price's 
raid through Missouri, had two horses and a cow stolen. Mr. Morasch 
is one of the substantial men of the county, is the owner of property 
in Wyandotte, Argentine, Armstrong and in the Missouri Kiver 
bottom. He was the son of J. J. and Mary (Mieller) Morasch, both of 
whom died in Germany. The father was game-keeper for the Duke 
of Nassau, and our subject has a spoon that Ijelonged to his grand- 
father, on the handle of which is the date -'1768." Mr. and Mrs. 
Morasch visited Germany in 1883 and 1887, and very much enjoyed 
their trip, to their old country. Mr. and Mrs. Morasch lost two chil- 
dren, both about eight years of age, and both bright children. They 
were named Mary and George. 

Joseph Moreland, one of the prominent dairymen of this city, has 
been engaged in this business for the past twelve years in this and 
Jackson County, Mo. , and has been unusually successful in this occu- 
pation. He owes his nativity to Butler County, Ohio, where his birth 
occurred on February 10, 1847, and is the fourth in a family of eleven 
children, born to Thomas and Sarah A. (Horl) Moreland, natives of 
Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. The father passed his youthful 
days in the Keystone State, and there followed the occupation of 
farming until his removal to Ohio, where he was married. He re- 
mained in the last named State but a short time, and then took a trip 
to Indiana, Western Iowa, Western Missouri, Johnson County, Kas., 
and Jackson County, Kas., where he located. The mother died in 



■>f^ 



740 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Northern Missouri in 18H7, and the father in Kansas in 1887. Joseph 
Moreland began the dairy business, and met with such good success, 
and enlarged his stock to such an extent, that in 1881 he moved on a 
farm, remaining there bvit one year. He then returned to the dairy 
business, which he has since followed. In 1881 he lost fourteen of 
his best milch cows, bat not discouraged he still continued to carry on 
the business. He moved over the State line in 1884, and in this State 
he has resided ever since. He purchased a good patch of land south- 
west of Argentine, and has built a nice cottage, good barn and has a 
fine stone spring house in which he cares for his milk. He has twen- 
ty-eight good milch cows, consisting of Holstein, Short-horn and Jer- 
sey stock, all acknowledged to be the best in this section of the State. 
He handles about sixty-five or eighty gallons of milk per day, and has 
routes in Armourdale and Argentine. Mr. Moreland was married in 
1875 to Miss Mary E. Bruce, daughter of Andrew and Ellen R. (Ful- 
ler) Bruce, natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. Mrs. 
Moreland was born in Dodge City, Wis., on November '28, 1857, and 
by her marriage became the mother of three children: Florence B., 
Ella E. and Lotta M. Mr. Moreland is a Republican in politics, but 
does not aspire for office. He is an enterprising man, and extends a 
helping hand to all worthy movements. 

Thomas H. Morgan, whose sketch now claims attention, is chief 
engineer of the No. 1 engine room at the Armour Packing House, a 
position that he has held since February, 1887, having worked his 
way up with that firm since 1882. By trade Mr. Morgan is a vice 
hand, learning that trade with the Arctic Engine Company, of Cleve- 
land, Ohio. He is by birth and education an Englishman, his birth 
occurring in Middlesex, about nine miles from London, on December 
20, 1860. His parents, William and Emma Morgan, were natives of 
England, and the father was a machinist in that country. Thus at 
an early age the subject of this sketch was familiar with machine shops, 
and naturally cultivated the taste which he inherited for such work. He 
passed his childhood and youth in his native land, learning habits of 
industry and perseverance that have been of inestimable service to him 
in his business career. He is a thoroughly enterprising man, seeking 
always to advance both his own interests and those of the community in 
which he makes his home, and giving especial attention to religious and 
educational causes of a worthy nature. In 1881 Mr. Morgan married 
Miss Lilly Smith, and to this union have been born three children, 
viz. : Harry, Violet and Cecil. Mrs. Morgan's birth occurred in Eng- 






land, but she has resided in Jackson County, since 1870. Though 
Kansas City is noted for enterprising business men, who by their ability 
and energy have raised this place in a few short years from comparative 
obscurity to great prominence, none merit more praise than does Mr. 
Morgan. Without financial assistance he has, single-handed, fought 
the battle for position, and now stands victorious among the busy crowd 
of bread-winners that wait on every side to gather up what they may 
of fame and fortune. 

Northrop Moore is the present superintendent of the gas works of 
Kansas City, Kas., and came to this place from Fairfield, Iowa, where 
he held a like position. He was born in Pomeroy, Ohio, in 1858, and 
in the county of his birth he grew to manhood and was educated, and 
Ijesides attending the common schools was for some lime a student in 
Wabash College, of Crawfordsville, Ind. After starting out in life 
for himself he became connected with the gas works of Nebraska City, 
Neb., and in 1884 held the position of superintendent of the Fair- 
field (Iowa) Gas Works for one year, after which he came to Kansas 
City, Kas. , and was given his present position, signing the contract to 
serve five years, and here expects to make his home for some time, 
at least. He has given much attention to the gas business, thor- 
oughly understands every detail of the work, and is tilling his present 
position in a very acceptable manner, the gas plant being at the cor- 
ner of Everett and Second Streets. Mr. Moore is a young gentleman 
of much energy and enterprise, and although he has only been a res- 
ident of the city a short time he has numerous and warm friends who 
wish him well in every undertaking. His parents are S. A. M. and 
Lydia L. Moore. 

D. W. Mount, now a resident of Kansas City, Kas., is a native 
Virginian, his birth occurring in that State on November 4, 1847, his 
parents, William and Sarah J. (Wilson) Mount, having been born in 
Washington, Penn., in 1824, and in Virginia in 1823, respectively. 
The father was a cabinet-maker by trade, and after following this call- 
ing in Virginia until 1852 he removed to Fairfield, Iowa, and after- 
ward located in Liberty ville where he opened a mercantile establish 
ment. He was a Whig in politics, a member of the Methodist Church , 
and died in Iowa September 27, 1854. After his death his widow mar- 
ried Brookeu Jeffers, and in addition to the five children which she 
bore Mr. Mount, she bore her second husband torn- children, four of 
the former and three of the latter being now alive. The mother is 
still living and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. D. 



^ 



742 HISTOllY OF KANSAS. 



W. Mount spent his early life in Iowa, and in 1867 came to Wyan- 
dotte, Kas. , and entered a mercantile establishment, the first thirteen 
years being in the employ of one firm in Wyandotte,'uow Kansas City, 
Kas. He then piirchased and operated a fruit farm, but when the 
city began to boom he sold out to the London Heights Land Company, 
and has since given his attention to dealing in real estate and to mer- 
chandising, in both of which he has been very successful. On De 
cember 9, 1863, he joined the Union army, becoming a member of 
Company I, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged 
on July 20, 1865, participating during his service in the battles around 
Kenesaw Mountain, where he was captured July 22, 1864, after having 
been under tire for forty-five days, was taken to Andersonville and then 
to Florence Prisons. He was paroled December 14, 1864, and on the 
morning of the 16th was delivered to the United State's fleet off Fort 
Sumter, S. C. He was married on October 18, 1871, to Miss Lena 
Wiltz, a native of St. Louis, Mo., and two children, Etta M. and James 
R., have been born to them. Mr. Mount is a Republican in .State 
affairs, and in local afPairs is non-partisan. 

J. W. Mount, of the Transfer firm of Mount Bros., of Kansas City, 
Kas. , is a native of Iowa, his birth Jiaving occurred near Fairfield in 
1853. His father's death occurred when he was one year old, and he 
afterward came to Kansas with his mother and step- father, and located 
at Armourdale, this being about 1858. They once owned the land on 
which the town now stands, and here J. W. Mount was reared to a farm 
life, but was given no educational advantages, all the schooling he re- 
ceived being between the age of twenty and twenty-one. By self-ap- 
plication he so fitted himself as to be perfectly capable of transacting 
his own business, and clerking in a store for some time, assisted in 
bringing about this desirable state of affairs. He then came to Kan- 
sas City, Kas., and opened a grocery store, and after meeting with 
fair success in this business for four years, he sold out his stock of 
goods, and is now renting his store, which is located on Sixth Street. 
He owns a good two story business building, 50x60 feet front, No. 
406 North Sixth Street, and since selling out has been interested in 
the transfer business, with the exception of a short time when he and 
his partner sold out. They now do all the transfer business of Kan- 
sas City, that is of any magnitude, and althoiigh they have had com- 
petition from time to time, their business has not been injured in the 
least. They keep five teams going all the time, and run two moving 
cars, one truck wagon, and have vehicles of all kinds that could be 



K" 



called for. Mr. Mount was married ia 1870, his wife being Miss 
MoUie Smith, a native of Ohio, born in 1855, and to them one child 
has been born, Willie, who is now seven years of age. Mr. Mount 
has always been earnest and sincere in his endeavors to succeed in life, 
and that he is attaining his desires is beyond dispute, for, notwith- 
standing the fact that he started upon an independent career with no 
capital, he is now quite well to do. [For history of Mr. Mount's 
parents see sketch of D. W. Mount |. 

A. N. Moyer is a Canadian by birth, and was l)orn in what is now 
Ontario on August 10. 1837, being a son of Abraham B. and Mary 
(Nash) Moyer, the former a native of Lincoln County, Ontario, and the 
latter of Bucks County, Penn. His early life was spent in his native 
country on a farm, and after acquiring a sufficient amount of educa- 
tion he began teaching school in 1857, and followed that pursuit for 
eighteen years. After his removal to the United States in 1859 he 
located in Kendall County, 111., and here he taught two winter terms 
of school, and during his vacations was a student in Clark Seminary, 
of Aurora. During the winter of 1801^62 he taught a school in 
Tazewell County, near Pekin. Init during the summer of the last-named 
year and the following fall and winter he had charge of the schools at 
Port Elgin, Ontario. The three following years he had charge of the 
public school at Soiith Cayuga, Ontario, and then followed the same oc- 
cupation in Campden, Lincoln County, during the nest three years. In 
the summer of 1868 he came AVest to Kansas City, Mo., and in the fol- 
lowing fall was elected assistant superintendent of the public schools at 
Independence, Mo. , the duties of which he discharged for two years. 
While there he was married, in 1871, to Miss Nannie Entrekin, for- 
merly of Kingston, Ohio. During the school year of 1871 and 1872 
he held a professorship in Lincoln College at Greenwood, Mo., but in 
the last-named year he located in Wyandotte Coiinty, Kas. , and for 
three years was first assistant in the Central School, and was instructor 
in German. This closes his career as a teacher. In 1874 he engaged 
in the real estate business, and in October, 1879, in connection with R. 
B. Armstrong, purchased the Wyandotte Gazette, and continued to be 
one of its publishers and proprietors until 1887, when he sold his in- 
terest and assisted in the organization of the Wyandotte National Bank 
and is now its vice-president. He also assisted in the organization of 
the Wyandotte Loan & Trust Company, which erected the large and 
handsome brick business block in which the bank is located. He is 
also treasurer of the Kansas City Savings Bank, organized in August, 



;r^ 



4 



744 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



1890. He is a Republican in his political views, and he and wife are 
consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. He is vice president 
of the Central Water Works Construction Company of Kansas City, 
and since taking up his abode in the county he has done much to build 
up and improve the same, and his efforts have been fully ap])reciated 
by his numerous friends and acquaintances. 

Martin Myers is a native of York State, his birth occurring in Port 
Jervis, Orange County, on Febiirary 20, 1860, and like the majority of 
native New Yorkers, he is industrious, enterprising, and decidedly 
progressive in his views, a tit citizen for booming Kansas City, Kas. 
His parents, John and Anna Myers, were born, reared and married in 
Germany, and on emigrating to America located in the State of New 
York, where they became the parents of nine childi'en, only three of 
whom are living. The subject of this sketch was but four years of 
age when his mother died and only ten years old when his father 
passed from life, and thus left an orphan at an early age, he was com- 
pelled to make his own way in the world, and at the age of twelve years 
secured a situation upon the Delaware & Hudson Canal, remaining 
thus employed for seven consecutive summers, during the tirst live 
years of which he acted as driver. During the last two years he was 
in charge of a boat owned by another man, at the end of which time 
he went to Scranton, Penn., and until he was twenty-one years of age 
worked in a steel-mill, after which, in 1881, he came West as far as 
Chicago, and during his two years' residence in that city, drove a 
team the first year and the second was in the employ of the Armour 
Packing Company. In January, 1883, he came to Kansas City, Kas., 
which place has been his home ever since, and here he has become a 
well-to-do business man. During the first three years and two months 
of his residence here he was employed in the packing-house of George 
Fowler & Son, and in May, 1886, he took the money he had thus 
earned and purchased a stock of groceries, opening up a store at No. 
129 North James Street, as the partner of Matthew Quinn. They did 
a successful liusiness at that place for two years, at the end of which 
time Mr. Myers sold his interest to his partner. Fifteen days later, 
or on May 23, 1888, he purchased from F. O. Wheeler a half interest 
in a grocer}' store at No. 247 North James Street, the other half being 
owned by John L. Jones. The partnership thus formed has existed 
ever since, and the men who compose the firm are now classed among 
the leading grocers of the city. On October 8, 1888, they removed to 
the brick block on the corner of North Sixth Street andOrville Aveniie, 



I - _j t v-»- 




where they have an excellent and complete line of {jjoods. Their store, 
which occupies Nos. 401 and 403 North Sixth Street, is 33x50 feet, 
and is stocked with as fine a lot of groceries as are to be found in this 
section of the country. Both gentlemen are stirring and enterprising 
young men, and this fact, in connection with their desire to please and 
their honorable mode of doing business, has enabled them to build up 
a large patronage. Mr. Myers was married May 3, 1888, to Miss 
Katie O'Brien, who was reared at Humboldt, this State, and both are 
consistent members of the Catholic Church. 

James F. Nettleton, although a resident of Kansas City, Kas., was 
born near Ingersoll, Canada, March 1, 1848, being a son of Amos and 
Sidney (Hodges) Nettleton, they being also born in Canada, the former 
a sou of Amos and Mary Nettleton, and the latter a daughter of Tim- 
othy Hodges, all being natives of Canada. The Nettleton family in 
the United States are descended from two brothers, who came to 
America from England. To Amos and Sidney Nettleton a family of 
eight children were born, the names of those living being as follows: 

' Ziba M., Mary E., James F., Esther A. and Sarah J., all of whom re- 
side in California, with the exception of the subject of this sketch. 
Amos Nettleton died in Kansas City, Kas., July 5, 1883, to which 
place he had removed fi'om Iowa about 1877, having previously re- 
moved from Canada to Ogle County, 111., in 1853, from there to Lee 
County, 111. , thence to Butler County, Iowa, in 1864. He took up 
his abode in Hardin County, Iowa, four years later, and the following 
year removed to Johnson County, Mo., returning to Butler County, 
Iowa, in 1875, coming to Kansas two years later. He was a farmer 
by occupation,^ a member of the Methodist Church, and politically 
was a Republican. His wife is still living, her home now being in 
California, whither she removed in 1886 to be near her children. 

' James F. Nettleton, the immediate subject of this biography, was but 
five years old when his parents removed from Canada to Illinois. His 
youthful days were spent in Ogle and Lee Counties, attending school 
in winter and working on the farm during the summer, but afterward 
went with his parents to Iowa. In the spring of 1865 he returned to 
Lee County, 111., and served a three years' apprenticeship at the 
wagon and carriage maker's trade, but returned to his parents in 1868, 
and the following winter attended school in Hardin Connty. He at- 
tained his majority while on his way to Johnson County, Mo., with his 
parents, but the succeeding summer farmed with his father, but in the 
fall returned to Amboy, Lee County, 111., and in that place and 



74G HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



vicinity remained about five years engaged in wagon and carriage 
making, also the carpenter's trade and farming. In 1874 he again 
went to Butler County, Iowa, aad after working five years at the car- 
penter's trade, he, in 1879, came to Kansas City, Kas., and after work- 
ing for about three months as a house carpenter he spent three and 
one-half years as a ear repairer for the Missouri Pacific Railway, and 
for three years following this acted as foreman of inspection and re- 
pairs for the Fort Scott & Gulf Railway. In September, 1886, he 
removed to Springfield Mo., and there for five months he acted as fore- 
man of the car shops for the same road. Upon his return to Kansas 
City, Kas., in the spring of 1887, he was employed a few months as 
car builder in the shops of the above road, but on November 17, 1887, 
he gave up this business to engage in the grocer's trade, his partner 
being William F. Peters, their establishment, an excellent one of the 
kind, being at No. 12 North James Street. They are well established 
in business, are doing well and have proven themselves strictly honor- 
able in all their business transactions. Mr. Nettleton was married 
May 8, 1871, to Miss Permelia J. Eddy, a native of New York State, 
and a daughter of George and Fannie (Hart) Eddy, by whom he has 
one child, Esther Mabel, born February 11, 1872. Mr. Nettleton is a 
member of the A. O. U. W., and in his political views is a Repub- 
lican, and has been a member of the school board for six years. His 
wife's parents removed to Lee County, 111. , from New York, when she 
was a small child, and in this county she grew to womanhood. Her 
birth occurred June 30, 1851. 

Gus. J. Neubert, Grand Keeper of Records and Seal of the Grand 
Lodge of the K. of P. of Kansas, and a man broad and liberal in his 
views, and one who has the respect and confidence of all, was born 
in Saxony, Germany, January 1, 1834. He received his education 
there, and there continued to reside until seventeen years of age. He 
then emigrated to America, located in New York City first, but later 
came to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained for some time. After 
this he traveled over the United States, and in 1853 was married, in 
Canton, Ohio, to Miss Mary Vogel, a native of that city, who bore him 
one child, a son, named Gus. T. , who is now foreman of the erecting 
shops of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, at Ellis, Kas. Mr. 
Neubert was the publisher and editor of several papers, and con- 
nected with others, in Ohio as well as other States, until he came to 
Wyandotte, now Kansas City, Kas., where he embarked in the drug 
business, his "first love," as he says. He was educated as a chemist. 



^' 



ll£ 



WVANDOTTE COUNTY. 747 



and carried this business on in Wyandotte for sixteen years. He be- 
came connected with the Order of K. P. February 5, 1874, and after 
tilling positions in his own lodge, he was elected G. K. of R. & S. in 
March, 1876, which position he still holds without opposition. He 
abandoned the drug business in 1882, and has made his home in 
Kansas City, Kas. , ever since, and is now giving his whole attention 
to the Order of K. of P. He has held several positions in the local 
lodge of A. F. & A. M. ; served as worshipful master for two years 
in succession; is a member of the Council of Koyal and Select Mas- 
ters, and of the Chapter of Koyal Arch Masons. He is also a mem- 
ber of the I. O. Q. F., and has passed the chairs of both lodge and 
encampment of that order. In politics Mr. Neubert was an Abolition- 
ist, and afterward followed the Republican party. 

Patrick J. Nichols is the general superintendent of the packing- 
house of Kingan & Co., limited, and although he was born in Belfast, 
Ireland, December 6, 1848, he has been a subject of Uncle Sam for 
the past nineteen years. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Scully) 
Nichols, were also born on the Emerald Isle, the former's birth occur- 
ring October 30, 1817, he being now a resident of Belfast, in which city 
his wife died in 1883, at about the age of forty-tive years. Patrick J. 
is the eldest of a family of fourteen children born to them, of whom 
twelve are now living, and his early education was acquired in the city 
of Belfast. For twelve years after leaving school he was in the pro- 
vision business in the city of his birth, in the employ of Kingan & Co., 
and for eleven years after coming to the United States he was in the 
employ of the same Company, in Indianapolis, Ind., and since 1882 
has been in Kansas City, Kas., for three years being with Jacob Dold, 
and the remainder of the time with Kingan & Co. He has been with 
this company longer than any other of their employes, a fact which 
speaks louder than words can do as to his faithfulness and competency. 
He was married in his native land, in 1870, his wife being Miss Kate 
McShane, who was born in Belfast, Ireland, November 11, 1854, and 
to them eight children have been born: Mary E., Samuel A., Kate, 
Patrick J., Jr., Henry, James, Lena Anastasia and Anna. Mr. Nich- 
ols in religion is a Catholic, socially being a member of the C. K. of A. 

Owen Nugent, of Kansas City, Kas., was born in County Monaghan, 
Ireland, in 1844, where the family were evicted from their homestead, 
by Shirley, landlord of the estate on which they rented their farm. 
From there he came with the rest of the family to Drogheda, County 
Louth, where he served his apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. He 



jy^ 




afterward became a contractor and builder, and in connection with this 
kept a grocery store and liquor bouse, and at a later period an under- 
taking establishment. He took a deep interest in politics, made 
speeches for, and helped to elect John Martin for (Jounty Meath. He 
made sj)eeches for the National party, and advocated the release of the 
Fenian prisoners, and at one time was introduced to Parnell, liy George 
Harley Kirk, M. P. This being before Parnell was in politics. He 
also gave his aid and support to A. M. Sullivan, M. P. ; met T. D. 
Sullivan, and was also acquainted with John Nolan, who was secretary 
of the first Amnesty Committee, and O' Donovan Rossa, besides all the 
Fenian officers. He served as a member of the city council of Drog- 
heda, County Louth, for one year, and was on the grand jury one term. 
His name is mentioned in the court of chancery, and at one time he won 
the sum of £16,000. He studied elocution, was a leader in a dramatic 
club which played several dramas, also Shakespeare's leading tragedies, 
in all of which he took a prominent part. Although he had been success- 
ful in his native land, he was unfortunate enough to lose much of his 
property, and being ^iroud and ambitious, he determined to retrieve his 
fortunes in America, and after reaching the United States he ojaened a 
liquor house, in New York, but through fravid lost all his remaining 
property, consisting of several thousand dollars. He then began working 
at his trade, and after a short period opened a hotel in Stanton, Iowa, 
which he afterward sold, and came to Atchison, Kas. , where he was 
taken sick, and was unable to do anything for about a year. At the 
end of this time he came to Kansas City, Kas., and worked at his trade 
for seven years, for George Fowler & Son, beef and pork packers, and 
in 1884 he took a prominent part in politics, and was the first Irish- 
man, in Wyandotte County, to come out openly and advocate the prin- 
ciples of the Republican party. He made several speeches during the 
Blaine and Logan campaign, and was the cause of bringing many Irish- 
men into the Republican ranks. He was married in Ireland, to Miss 
Mary Smith, and to them a family of sixteen children have been born, 
four of whom died in infancy. The family are members of the Roman 
Catholic Church. 

J. H. Olliges, one of the original settlers of Argentine, and one of 
that city's prominent business men, is a native of Hanover, Germany, 
where his birth occurred on May 17, 1842. He is the second eldest 
of nine children, six of whom are now living, born to the marriage of 
Antoine and Tobina (Haynes) Olliges, who were originally from Paris. 
The father owned an interest in a cattle and sheep ranch, but left 



r 




France aad s(>ttleil iu Hanover, Germany, wben a yoai-g man. Later 
he studied law, and still later he engaged iu merchandising, at which 
be was so successful that he retired from active duties in 1870. His 
death occurred in 1SS7 at the age of eighty years. His wife died six 
months later. Several members of the Olliges family served under 
Napoleon Bonaparte, and Nicholas Olliges, and uncle of our subject, 
was one of Bonaparte's soldiers, and fought at the battle of Moscow. 
He came to the United States in 1862, was desirous of entering the 
United States Army, but was rejected owing to his bad eyesight. He 
died in 1864. J. H. Olliges was educated by a private instructor, 
and finished in a private school. He was also a military student from 
sis to fourteen years. In 1859 he emigrated to this country, but pre- 
vious to that time he had been interested in school matters, and was 
also interested iu the care of stock up to that time. After coming to 
this country he followed shipping merchandise to London, England, 
and engaged in any occupation which presented itself. He was a 
sailor. Tnd contemplated a trip to Africa, but his father refused to let 
him go. After this he went to Covington, Ky., and worked at any 
honest employment he could secure, experiencing many hardships, but 
never becoming discouraged. In the spring he began clerking in a 
stove and tinware shop at Covington, but only remained in this posi- 
tion but a short time. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army as a 
driver in the Cumberland Division, and served until he took sick, when 
he was compelled to go to the hospital in Cincinnati. After recover 
ing he returned to his regiment, fought at Stone River, and assisted 
in the capture of Cumberland Gap. He was in the battle of Perry ville, 
Bardstown, Ky., and was taken prisoner by Morgan. Later he was 
paroled, and returned to Louisville, where he re-entered the service. 
He was mustered out in 1865, returned to Louisville, Ky., and engaged 
in a wholesale grocery house of that city, where he remained two 
years. After this he was with Bose & Co. , wholesale grocers and liquor 
dealers, with whom he remained one year, and then returned to his 
former employers, remaining with them six months. He then worked 
with Tate & Son for a short time, then again returned to old employer 
with whom he remained but a few months. He then engaged in the 
transfer business, made considerable money, and remained for some 
time, but afterward was in a tin and hardware store for seven years. 
Owing to ill health he gave up this position and rested until 1871, 
whence went to Indiana and began tilling the .soil, continuing at this 
eight years, and meeting with unusual success. From there he went 



*7I^ 



(^ 



^! 



ili_ 



750 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



to Covington, Ky , and in 1880 embarked in the grocery business, 
which he continued for eighteen months. After this lie sold out and 
traveled for his health. In 1882 he came to Kansas Cit)', took charge 
of a hardware store, but gave this up and took charge of the Santa Fe 
freight office in Argentine for one year. He was then in the furniture 
business for some time, and afterward with the firm of Borgstedr & 
Co., remaining with them for two years and five months, after which 
he dissolved partnership. He began] business^ for himself, and has 
since carried it on, meeting with much success. In October, 1868, he 
was married to Miss Mary E. Zainer, who was born in 1846, 
and the daughter of Louis Zainer, and the fruits of this union were 
six children, five living: Louis, Tobina, Lizzie, Lulu, Johnny (de- 
ceased) and Mary. Mr. Olliges is a Demoorat in his politics, and 
socially is a member of the I. O. O. F. For twelve years himself and 
family have been members of the Catholic Church. 

August Olson is a native of Sweden, and like the majority of his 
countrymen, he is honest, industrious and thrifty. He was born Au- 
gust 28, 1843, being a son of Olof Anderson and Anna Kajsa. the 
former of whom was born August 31, 1814, and the latter November 
16, 1816, their marriage taking place about 1840, and in time resvxlting 
in the birth of four children: Anders, August, Anders and Anna. The 
two named Anders are deceased, the elder one dying before the latter 
was born. The father and mother are both living, their home being 
in the village of Fiskinge, Parish of Asker, Sweden, and the former de- 
voted his attention to farming, but is now retired from the active duties 
of life on account of his advanced age, his farm being now cultivated 
by his son-in law, who lives with him. August Olson was reared to 
manhood upon his father's farm, which he helped to cultivate until he 
reached the age of twenty-six years. In 1869 he emigrated tfo Amer- 
ica, leaving Gothenburg on April 2, and going to Hull. England, from 
which place he went by rail to Liverpool, and there, April 9, took pas- 
sage in the '"City of Baltimore," and after a voyage of nineteen days, 
the vessel reached New York. Upon the following day he left that 
place for Kansas City, Mo., and he arrived on May 6, 1869, but on 
the afternoon of the same day left for Lawrence, Kas. , in the vicinity 
of which place he remained for three years, one of the years being 
spent as a farm hand, and the other two was an employe of P. D. 
Kidenour, then of Lawrence, but now wholesale grocer of Kansas City, 
Mo. In 1872 Mr. Olson returned to Kansas City, and for eight years 
was in the employ of the Armour Packing Company. For a year or 



^ s i^ "^ ® >y 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 751 



so following this, he clerked for P. Larson & Company, grocers, on 
James Street, and in 1883 he engaged in business for himself, at No. 
422 North Fifth Street. Kansas City. Kas. His estal)lishment is first 
class in every respect, and Mr. Olson does all in his power to sni)p]y 
the wants of his patrons, and as a result has built up a paying trade. 
In 1889 he erected a new two-story business building, and is now fully 
equipped to cater to the wants of the public. He was married March 
9, 1871, to Miss Britta Christena Erickson, who was born in the same 
village as himself, January 31, 1844, her father being Erick Erickson, 
and her mother Britta Kajsa. The former was a farmer, and died in 
Sweden in 1878, but his wife still lives, and resides in Fiskinge. Mrs. 
Olson came to America in 1870, and on August 25, 1879, passed to her 
long home, leaving four children to mourn her death, their names be- 
ing as follows: Henry, Anna, Emma and an infant daughter that sur- 
vived its mother just one week. On October 9, 1880. Mr. Olson was 
married to Miss Jacobina Frederica Maria Huglund, who was born on 
the Island of Gottland, Sweden, September 18, 1850, her parents be- 
ing Gustave and Anna Cecelia (Storms) Huglund, both of whom are 
living. Mrs. Olson was the younger of two daughters, the elder of 
whom died before she was born. Mr. Olson and his present wife have 
had five children as follows; Charley, Mary, Theodore, Lillie and 
Laura, all of whom are living, and they are worthy members of the 
Missionary Baptist Church. 

John Olson, blacksmith and carriage builder of Piper Prairie Town- 
ship, Wyandotte County, Kas., owes his nativity to Denmark, where 
his birth occurred on October 4, 1859, and is the only child resulting 
from the marriage of Louis and Mary (Sornson) Olson, natives of Co- 
penhagen, the father born on May 16, 1819, and the mother on April 
8, 1823. The former was a tailor by trade, and followed that occupa 
tion in the city of his birth. John Olson remained in the old country 
until his eighteenth year, learned the trade of blacksmith, and this he 
has since followed. He emigrated to the United States in 1872, landed 
at New York, and from there went to Quebec, with an idea of return- 
ing home, but at the last determined to remain. He had considerable 
difficulty in reaching Chicago, taking turns in walking and riding, and 
arrived in that city in 1875, where he remained three years, following 
his trade. In 1878 he moved to Ogden, Utah, and Nevada, to 
view the country, and there, in prospecting, he lost his hard-earned 
savings. He returned by way of Cheyenne to Denver, where he car- 
ried on the blacksmith's trade on the Denver & South Park Railroad 



:n^ 




for eighteen months. He then tried prospecting in Nevada again, and 
met with the same success as before. He afterward worked with a 
Dutchman named Brown in a blacksmith shop, where he remained 
thirteen months. From there he came to Kansas City, Mo , using a 
check pass, and worked for W. A. Weston, in a shop, for two \ears. 
Urged then by several of his familiar friends to come to Maywood and 
start a shop, he did so in 1883, and there remained until 1887. He 
then came to Piper, and by his industrious habits and honest work has 
built up a trade which averages about $7,000 per year. He makes to 
order everything in the way of a vehicle, and always guarantees his 
work. He is now the owner of a fine dwelling, and has a good shop. 
He was married on April 5, 1882, to Miss Marj' Lobner, a native of 
Old Germany, born May 5, 1858, and the daughter of Prank and 
Mark Lobner, of Denmark. They have two children: Frank (born 
February 22, 1887), and Louis (whose birth occurred on April 10, 
1884). Mr. Olson is a life-long Republican in his political views, and 
socially, is a member of Banner Spring Lodge, K. of P. 

Joseph H. O'Rielly ranks among the most popular druggists of 
Kansas City, Kas., which desirable state of afFairs is owing to his ac- 
curacy, strict attention to business, honesty, and desire to please his 
patrons. He was born in the town of Chatham, Province of Ontario, 
Canada, April 8, 1864, and was one of a family of children born to 
Charles P. and Catherine (Hogan) O'Rielly, the former of whom was 
born in Leland and the latter in New Brunswick. The father accom- 
panied his parents to America when he was but an infant, and on 
reaching this country the family located at Kingston, Ont., and here 
he was reared, educated and married, the last event taking place about 
1853. Of a family of nine children born to them, five were sons and 
four were daughters, and the subject of this sketch was the fifth of the 
family. Their names are as follows: Thomas E., James A., Frank, 
John, Joseph H., Kate, Nellie, Mary and Annie. When the subject 
of this sketch was thirteen years of age, or in 1877, he accompanied his 
parents to the United States, and with them located at Sterling, Rice 
County, Kas., which place continued to be his home until 1880, a very 
good early education being also received there. In 1883 he became a clerk 
in a drug store in Independence, Mo., but after remaining there about 
a year and a half he entered the employ of his brothers, Frank and 
John, who were the proprietors and managers of a drug store in Kan- 
sas City, Mo., and remained with them thirteen months. While thus 
employed, he pursued his pharmaceutical studies in the Kansas City 



'K. 




University for one term, and on July 24, 1886, established his present 
drag store on North Third Street, which he has conducted with satis- 
factory success up to the present. He is courteous io his dealings with 
all, and as he carried a well selected stock of goods, which he disposes 
of at, reasonable rates, he receives a liberal share of public favor. He 
is a wide awake and enterprising young man of good habits, and is a 
consistent memlier of the Roman Catholic Church. Few, if any. of 
the young business men of the county possess more friends than he, and 
all are desirious that he should make a success of his life, which he 
gives every promise of doing. 

W. P. Overton is the treasurer of tlie Wyandotte Coal & Lime 
Company, but was born in Jackson County, Mo., in 1826, and there 
made his home until seventeen years of age, at which time he bought 
and fitted out a wagon train to Santa Fe, but afterward took charge 
of a train of wagons for Napoleon Stone & Co., of Independence, Mo., 
and went to Salt Lake, thence to California with an ox-team, where 
he disposed of the latter. He continued to follow this calling until 
the opening of the Mexican War, when he joined the First Regiment of 
Missouri Mounted Volunteers and was at Chihuahua, and various other 
skirmishes, but was not injured during the entire time. He was pen- 
sioned when the other old soldiers were, but not before. He was mar- 
ried in St. Joseph, Mo., to Miss Mary J. Wales, a native of Mas- 
sachusetts, soon after which event they went to Grayson County, Tex. , 
and operated a saw-mill for some two years, after which he returned 
to Jackson County, Mo., and there his wife passed fi'om life about 
1849 or 1850. Mr. Overton then began making trips across the plains 
once more, in all making the trip about eight times. In 1855 he set- 
tled down to the saw-mill business, and this received his attention until 
some eight or ten years since, when he began dealing in coal. How- 
ever two of these years were spent taking a rest from business cares 
and in traveling around. His second marriage took place about 1858, 
his wife being Miss Sarah M. Barnett, liy whom he has the following 
family: Maud. Stella, William, Sadie, George and Alma. His first 
union resulted in the birth of one child —Elizabeth. Mr. Overton is, 
and always has been, a Democrat in his political views, and prior 
to the war he was the owner of slaves. His father, Jesse Over- 
ton, was a trader, and built the first Government road from Fort 
Scott to Fort Leavenworth, and broke the first 1,000 acres of land 
for the Goverment at the latter place. He was a native of Alabama, 
and died in Jackson County, Mo., near Independence, when about 



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75-1: HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



forty- two years of age. He was of English descent, Lis ancestors hav- 
ing all been natives of that country, but his wife's people were the 
Camerons of Scotland. 

Joseph S. Paradis, meat-market, Armourdale, Kas. Among the 
necessities of trade a reliable meat-market forms an important institu- 
tion in all places. In this line we have a representative establishment, 
which combines all the essentials of a first-class house in this line, and 
is conducted by Mr. Joseph S. Paradis. This business was established 
by him in October, 1886, and during the four years he has steadily 
maintained the high reputation of his market, and has annually in- 
creased the volume of his trade. Mr. Paradis was born in Montreal, 
Canada, on June 12, 1868, and his parents, Samuel and Margaret 
(Bedore) Paradis, were also born in Canada, and were of French de- 
scent. They came to the United States in 1870, located in Iowa and 
moved from there to Kansas in 1^83. They are now residents of 
Armourdale, Kas. The father is a carpenter by trade, and has fol- 
lowed this the principal part of his life. Joseph S. Paradis, the sec- 
ond in birth of ten living children, was but two years of age on leaving 
Canada and was reared to the butcher's business. He was fairly 
educated in the common schools, and after coming to Wyandotte 
County, Kas., was in business for eighteen months. He then came to 
Armourdale, and has since carried on the butcher's business at this 
place. He has a large trade and is doing well. On April 30, 1890, 
his nuptials with Miss Carrie Mack, a native of Wyandotte County, 
Kas., and the daughter of George Mack, were celebrated. Mr. 
Paradis is a wide-awake, stirring young man, and is identified with a 
great many public enterprises. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. , 
and Select Knights. 

Corwine Patterson (colored) is a man who enjoys the distinction of 
knowing nearly every person in Wyandotte County, Kas., and has 
done many acts of kindness to nearly every second person therein. He is 
popular with all classes, and throughout a public career of many 
years no taint of suspicion nor well-founded breath of scandal has at- 
tached itself to his name, which is his especial pride to keep pure in 
the sight of God and man. Honorable and upright in all his deal- 
ings, frank and unhesitating in expressing his views, possessing a 
profound contempt for hypocrisy and deceit, whatever his faults may 
be, his bitterest enemies, if such he has, must attribute them to errors 
of the head and not of the heart. In social life he is courteous and 
afFable, magnanimous to his foes, and of a kind and forgiving disposi- 






4J- 



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f ion, he attracts the regard of all who a[)proiich biiu. and has iunumer 
able friends among both political parties. In any worthy history of 
the county his name should be given a prominent place, for he has 
had many difficulties to surmount, chief among which was race prej- 
udice, but his life points its own moral, and has few parallels in the 
history of " men of mark " among the colored race. He was born at 
Roanoke, Howard County, Mo., October 31, 1848, and is now in his 
forty second year. Like so many of the pi-osperous business men of 
the present day, he was reared on a farm, but at the early age of fif- 
teen years he showed that he possessed a mind and will of his own, 
and with the independence which has ever characterized his efforts, he 
determined to seek a fi-esh field for his labors, and accordingly went 
to Glasgow, where he enlisted in Company G, Sixty-fifth United 
States Colored Infantry, and was mustered in at St. Louis. He im- 
mediately went South with his regiment and afterward distinguished 
himself at the battles of Port Hudson, Milliken's Bend, Baton Rouge, 
New Orleans and others, and at the close of the war was mustered 
out of the service at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis. He then returned 
to his former home in Missouri, but as the state of affairs there was 
not congenial to his liberty-loving spirit, he determined to emigrate 
to " Free Kansas." This decision was not acted upon, however, until 
he had taken an academic course in Lincoln Institute, which is one of 
the leading institutions for colored people in the country, and thus 
fitted he started out to fight the battle of life for himself. He soon 
made his way to Wyandotte, Kas. (now Kansas City), which place he 
reached in June, 1868, and almost immediately secured employment 
with the Union Pacific Railway Company, with which he remained for 
five years. He next opened a grocery establishment, but being ap- 
pointed one of a committee to care for the colored emigrants who were 
flocking to the country from the South in great numbers, he disposed 
of his stock of goods, and as a tribute to the faithfulness which he 
manifested toward his race, he was elected to the position of constable, 
which office, coupled with that of deputy sheriff, he held for several 
years, and in addition has filled the positions of deputy city marshal 
for six years, sanitary sargeant, two years, and is the commander of 
Sumner Post No. 10, G. A. R., being also secretary of the S. of P. 
and one of the leading members of the society. He is one of the men 
who took the initiative steps which resulted in the erection of its two- 
story brick hall at the corner of Sixth and Kansas Avenue, which is 
valued at 1*3,000. In 1872 he was elected a member of the Board of 



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756 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Education, and discharged his duties very creditably for two terms, 
and has ever since taken a conspicuous part in the educational affairs 
of the county. He has been successful in the accumulation of wordly 
goods, and his property is now valued at $25,000, all of which he has 
accumulated within the space of a few years. In politics he is a dyed- 
in the-wool stalwart Republican, never scratches his tickets or bolts a 
nominee. But very few of the colored men of Kansas have taken so 
conspicuous a part in the local or State politics as he. He has been a 
delegate to all of the county conventions, many of the State Conven- 
tions, and is always present at all the political contests of the county, 
and more than once the party has owed its success to his intelligence 
and sagacious management. He has been secretary of the Republican 
Central Committee, and in 1889 was appointed to the responsible posi- 
tion of street commissioner of Kansas City, which was a fitting recogni 
tion of his ability, integrity and business capacity, not to mention the 
great service he has long rendered his party in this county. He has 
proved the right man in the right place, and it is safe to say that his 
administration of affairs has redorinded to his credit. On July 3, 
1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Scott, of Kansas 
City, and to their union two bright and intelligent children have been 
born: Robert Elliott and Ida May, the former being an attendant of 
the high school of Kansas City, and making rapid progress in his 
studies, and the latter neariug the point of graduation in the Lincoln 
School. Mr. Patterson is devoted to his family, friends, party, city, 
county and State, and may well be said to be one of those rare gentle- 
men and "prince of men," who are seldom duplicated in any com- 
munity. 

John Patterson is superintendent of the Fifth Street division of the 
Metropolitan Street Railway in Kansas City, Kas. , but was born in 
Logan County, 111., February 15, 1858, and at the age of eight years 
was taken to Southwest Missouri, but two years later went to the 
" Lone Star State'' on his own hook and remained in that State for 
about one year. He then returned to his native State, where he re- 
sided for some four or five years, following various employments dur- 
ing this time, after which he returned to Missouri, but this time located 
in the northeastern part of the State, and began breaking on the Wa- 
bash Railroad from Moberty to Ottumwa, Iowa, but in time was pro- 
moted to the position of conductor, which he filled for about five years, 
then held the same position on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, but 
gave up this position and came to Kansas City. Kas., where he was 



*f|F 



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k. 




sick for some time. Upon recovering, he entered tlie employ of the 
Metropolitan Street Railway Company, as a conductor on a horse-car, 
afterward becoming gripman, and some time later was appointed to 
the position of superintendent of the Eighteenth Street line, and was 
given his present position on August 20, 18S9. He has general charge 
of the division and every man, and all the works are under his control, 
and by able and efficient management he has won the liking of all the 
men under him as well as the respect and confidence of the company. 
He has alwaj's taken a front place in every enterprise in which he has 
been engaged, and that quickly, and fully deserves the esteem which 
is accorded him. He is quite well to do, and has a pleasant residence 
at No. 1833 Minnesota Avenue. He was married in Knox County, 
Mo., to Miss Helen Riley, a native of Illinois, and by her had one 
child, Aggie. Mr. Patterson is a Republican in politics, and is a mem- 
ber of the National Union Benefit Association. 

J. K. Paul, merchant and police, Armourdale, Kas. Mr. Paul is a 
native of Bristol County, Mass., born on January 22, 1848, and is of 
English- Scotch origin. He was reared in his native State, probably 
on the farm, and received an ordinary education in the common 
schools. He followed the sea for some time, and at the age of six- 
teen, or on January 4, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-eighth 
Massachusetts Regiment, and served until the close of the war. He 
was in all the engagements of the Army of the Potomac, and was 
wounded through the body in front of Petersburg, on July 30, 1864, 
when blowing up the Rebel fort. He was in the hospital after this 
for about four months. Returning home after the war, he remained 
there until 1868, when he came West and located at California, Mo., 
going, in 1871, to Jefferson Citj'. There he remained for about nine 
years, occupied in the foundry and tin business, and in 1880 came 
to Kansas City, Mo. , where he worked at the same calling. He es- 
taltlished a foundry on Broadway, ran it for a short time,* and then 
sold out. In 1882 he removed to Armourdale, where he was in the 
foundry, and also in the tin business for some time. Subsequently 
he was city treasurer of Armourdale one term, and councilman one 
term. He was appointed chief of the tire department of the consoli- 
dated cities of Kansas City, Kas., Armourdale and Wyandotte, in 1886, 
holding the position for two terms, or three years. In 1865 he was 
married to Miss Maria E. Tripp, and became the father of one child, 
Sarah, who became the wife of John A. Kerr. Mr. Paul's second 
marriage occurred in 1877, to Miss Nora E. Hillis, and his third in 



— a V^ 



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'^ 



758 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



1880, to Miss Samantha Hillis, who bore him two children: Victor 
Arthur and Watson. Mr. Paul is a member of the I. 0. O. F., the 
K. of P., the A. O. U. AV. and the G. A. R. He has represented 
both the K. of P. and the A. O. U. W. in the Grand Lodge, and takes 
a great interest in these societies. His parents, Jobe and Cordelia 
(Wascott) Paul, were natives of Massachusetts, and their ancestors 
came over from England and Scotland at an early day. The paternal 
grandfather served in the Revolution, lost a leg, and wore a wooden 
leg after that. He was a farmer. The father of our subject was a 
stone-mason, also a farmer, and died in Massachusetts, as did also the 
mother. They had a large family. 

Thomas J. Payne, retired, Argentine, Kas. Mr. Payne, a sub- 
stantial and much esteemed citizen of Wyandotte County, owes 
his nativity to Van Buren County, Iowa, where his birth occurred 
on February IG, 1842. He is the son of Stephen J. and Mary 
E. (Seward) Payne, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother 
of Schuyler County, HI. The paternal grandfather, Stephen J., 
was a captain in the War of 1812. He was among the early set- 
tlers of Indiana, and there received his final summons. The father of 
our subject was born in 1817, grew to manhood in Indiana, and moved 
from there to Illinois, thence to Iowa, thence to Missouri, and in 1856 to 
Wyandotte County, Kas. He located near Rosedale, where he received 
permission of an Indian chief, Capt. Joe Parks, to move on his land 
and to help him farm. He remained with the chief for about two 
years, and then moved to within about a mile west of Armourdale, 
where he entered forty- eight acres of Government land. He subse- 
quently sold out and purchased a larger farm where he resided until 
assassinated by bushwhackers on July 31, 1863, in the night time. 
He was a very prominent man, and well liked by all who knew him. 
He was an intimate friend of James Lane. His -Widow died on Jan- 
uary 4, 1889. They were the parents of twelve children, seven sons 
now living: John S. (who was in Company B, Second Kansas Cavalry, 
held the rank of deputy sergeant, and was accidentally wounded), 
Dorastus P. (in Company B, Second Kansas Cavalry), Henry B. (in 
the Fifteenth Kansas Regiment), Lewis V., William J. and Alfred E. 
Thomas J. Payne became thoroughly acquainted with the duties of 
the farm at an early age, and received his education in a little log 
school-house with slab seats. On August 15, 1862, he enlisted in 
Company A, Twelfth Kansas Volunteer Infantry, and served over 
nineteen months. After this he was commissioned by the governor 



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1 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 759 



of Kansas as first lieutenant of the State Militia, and served in that 
capacity during Price's raid. Returning home after the war, he re- 
sumed farming, thoroughly satisfied and having quite enough of army 
experiences, although he never received a scratch. When Mr. Payne 
first came here this was known as Westport Landing, and there were 
hut few inhabitants, except Indians, who were friendly. The Payne 
family was the first white family in Shawnee Township, and have wit 
uessed all the developments of the county and growth of Kansas 
City. Mr. Payne held one term of township constable and filled that 
position in a creditable and satisfactory manner. He is the owner of 
about ninety four acres of good farming land, and has also about 270 
lots in what is known as Gibbs & Payne's Addition to Argentine. 
Mr. Payne has the finest residence in Shawnee Township, constructed 
at a cost of about $22,000, besides barn and outbuildings worth $3,000 
more, all erected on a natural site with a magnificent view of the sur- 
rounding country and city. He was married, on May 20, 1868, to 
Miss Sarah Stover, a native of Illinois, but who was reared in Jack- 
son County, Mo., and the fruits of this union were eight children, 
four now living: Lydia B., Lizzie J., Maggie L. . and Charles Lewis. 
Mr. and Mrs. Payne are members of the Baptist Church, and socially 
he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. E. 
John A. Pearson. A representative grocery house of Kansas City, 
Kas. , is that of Mr. Pearson, who conducts a live and extensive busi- 
ness as a dealer of groceries and general provisions. The house was 
established January 20, 1890, and such was the rapid increase of his 
trade that March 20, 1890, he moved into more commodious quarters, 
his present place of business being No. 1946 North Third Street. He 
was born in Sweden, September 21, 1858, his father being Per Borge- 
son and his mother Johanna Borgeson, their marriage taking place in 
1851. The subject of this sketch was the fourth of their ton children, 
and five sons and one daughter are now living. Both parents are liv- 
ing, their home being in Halland, Sweden. John A. Pearson was 
reared upon a farm, and attended school between the ages of seven 
and fifteen, acquiring during this time a fair education. When twenty- 
one years of age he entered the military service, but after one year's 
service he emigrated to America, embarking at Gothenburg March 29, 
and landed at New York April 20, the vessel in which he sailed being 
the City of New York. On reaching this country he made his way to 
Houtzdale, Penn. , where, for a short time, he worked in a coal mine. 
He next went to Youngstown, Penn., and during the rest of the sum- 



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760 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



mer he helped to build a railroad in that vicinitj'. During the winter 
of 1880-81 he worked in a coal mine at Dunbar, Penn. , and remained 
thus employed in different parts of the Stateuntil 1884, in which year he 
returned to his native land. After farming on the old Swedish home- 
stead for two years, he, in 1886, again came to the United States, start- 
ing August 26 and landing September 16. He at once came to Kansas 
City, Mo. , where he secured a position as clerk in a grocery store 
owned by the Larson Brothers, remaining with them for about three 
years, then purchased his present establishment, as above stated.. He is 
an industrious and enterprising young man, and that which has materi- 
ally contributed to his success has been his con.stant efiforts to accommo- 
date the demands of his numerous customers with the very best of goods 
procurable, and to dispose of them at reasonable rates. He has one 
brother in this country, who came here in 1889, and is now clerking 
in his grocery. His name is Julius Pearson. John A. was married, 
September 1, 1887, to Miss Olivia Pearson, she having come to this 
country in the spring of 1887. One child has been born to them, 
John Hermann, born February 18, 1890, and died June 24, 1890. Mr. 
and Mrs. Pearson are members of the Lutheran Church, and are now 
worthy and honored residents of the city in which they reside. Mr. 
Pearson's brothers and sisters are as follows: Severina, Bengt J., 
Severin, John A., Alfred, Otto, Julius, Alfred, Olivia and Tilda. 
Those deceased are: the two Alfreds, Olivia and Tilda. Four of the 
family still reside in Sweden, the three brothers being farmers, and 
the husband of Severina, whose name is Bengt Swanson, is also a 
tiller of the soil. All are married, with the exception of Otto and 
Julius. The wife of John A. Pearson was born in Halland, Sweden, 
September 6, 1862, she being the third of seven children born to Per 
Ben.'^on. her mother being Charlotte Benson. They are still residing 
in Halland, Sweden. Their children are: Elof, Olivia, Alfred and 
Amanda, and three deceased. The living members of the family 
came to America, but Elof has since returned to Sweden. Alfred 
resides in Bradford, Penn. , and Amanda in Kansas City, Kas. All 
are single, except Olivia. One of the three children that are dead was 
Elof, and the other two were named Amanda. When Mr. Pearson 
returned to Sweden, in 1884, he left New York May 20, on the steamer 
"Britanic, " and reached Gothenburg June 10, after a very pleasant 
voyage. He took his parents by surprise, not having notified them of 
his coming, and for two years farmed on the old homestead, near the 
Cattegat Channel. Upon his return to America, in 1886, he started 



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from his home Augast '2.(\, going on the vessel " Komeo ' ' to Hull, 
England, thence by rail to Liverpool, and August 31, sailed on the 
steamer "Celtic," for New York, which place he reached September 
12. On that trip he accompanied John B. Lason and wife to Kansas 
City, Mo., they having been on a visit to Sweden. 

Joseph Peavey is a native of Canada, having been born there in 
1831. His grandfather and two brothers came from England to 
America, one settled in Massachusetts, one in Main, and Mr. Peavey' s 
grandfather in New Hampshire, and subsequently in Pattontown, 
Canada. His name was Joshua Peavey, and the rest of his life was 
spent as a subject of Great Britain, and Edward Peavey, his father, 
served in the British army of 1812. Soon after the birth of the sub- 
ject of this sketch his father came to the United States and settled in 
Bangor, Franklin County, N. Y. , and there followed the calling of an 
agriculturist until his death. The maternal grandmother was a Cana- 
dian by birth, and died in her native land at the age of one hundred 
and four years. Two years before her death she could quite easily 
walk two miles, and was an expert at knitting. Joseph Peavey, the 
subject of this biography, resided in York State until he was about 
twelve years of age, then took matters into his own hands, ran away 
from home and went back to Canada, and there remained until he was 
twenty one years of age. He then came once more to the United 
States, and first located at St. Johnsbury, in Vermont, where he was 
on a railroad as fireman and engineer until 1860, and after a short 
visit to Canada came back and located in Connecticut, enlisting in the 
spring of 1861 in Company A, Twelfth Massachusetts Infantry, under 
Col. AVebster, a son of the famous Daniel Webster. In July, 1864, 
he was mustered out of service on Boston Common. Although he 
served in the quartermaster's department, he took part in the Second 
Bull Run, was at Antietam, Gettysburg, Wilderness, and in front of 
Petersburg. After being mustered out he returned to Washington 
with the intention of going South, but he could not get passes, and 
accordingly remained in the North until the fall of 1864, when he 
went on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad as a brakeman, continuing in this 
capacity one year, and the following three years acted as freight con- 
ductor from Baltimore to Martinsburg. He was married in August, and 
would have been thirty-six years of age the following September, his 
wife being Mrs. Caroline M. Fulton, who was born in Frederick City, 
Md., in 1829, and was there reared. About 1875 Mr. Peavey came 
to Kansas, and after farming one year he located in Kansas City, 

48 

" ^ S — — f^ ""^ ii'y 

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762 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Kas. , and once more took up the occupation of railroading, this 
time being on tbe Kansas Pacific Railroad as brakeman, then local 
dispatcher, then yard master, and again became local dispatcher, but 
his last work in connection with the railroad was done in 1879. In 
1887 he was elected to the city council of Kansas City by his Eepub- 
lican friends, and discharged the duties of this position with credit to 
himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned for three years. He 
is repiited for his honor and purity of his life, and personally is lib- 
eral, generous and high-minded, and a self-made man in every re- 
spect. From a poor struggling boy, without money or friends to as- 
sist him, he has become possessed of a comfortable home, money and 
position, and as honesty has ever been his "guiding star" through 
life it is not to be wondered at that he has succeeded. 

Edward T. Pedigo is a member of the third white family that set- 
tled in Shawnee Township, Wyandotte County, Kas., the date of their 
settlement being 1857. He was born in Howard County, Mo., on 
April 30, 1821, but was reared on Blue-Giass soil, but in 1848, 
with his parents, Henry and Martha Pedigo, Virginians, he came to 
Cass County, Mo., and a few years later to Bates County, where they 
made their home for one year. One year was then spent at Pleasant 
Hill, three years in Westport, and then he came to Wyandotte County, 
Kas., and purchased his present farm, consisting of thirty acres. He 
gives ten acres to potatoes, raising from 100 to 150 bushels to the acre, 
and in addition to this raises melons, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, 
cucumbers, etc., and he finds a ready market for these products. He 
first began growing vegetables for market in 1881, and has been very 
successful, securing a comfortable competency for the rest of his days, 
and he considers Kansas, and esjjecially Wyandotte County, the gar- 
den spot of the United States. He has easy access to water, the wells 
being bored to a dep)th of fi'om twenty eight to thirty-four feet, and 
the water is pure, cold and slightly impregnated with iron. Before 
coming to this county he had experienced many hardships and priva- 
tions, and he now fully appreciates his comfortable home and the de- 
lights of domestic life. He paid $75 for his claim, and it is now worth, 
at least, 11,000 per acre. His land was heavily covered with timber, 
but by indefatigable energy he has it cleared and nicely improved. 
His estimable wife was formerly Miss Thirza Ann Farrell, a native of 
Kentucky, whom he married on September 23, 1841, she being a 
daughter of John and Sarah Farrell, of Virginia. They have no 
children of their own, but have reared a nephew, William Andrew 



*71« 



;iv 



Pedigo, a uative of Kansas. Mr. Peiligo is a Republican, and ht^ and 
his wife are members of the Christian Church, of Kansas City, Kas. 

William F. Peters is a well-known groceryman and a popular young 
citizen of Kansas City, Kas., for he was born here December 9, 1862, 
to Conrad F. and Egbertine (Myers) Peters, the former of whom was 
born in Germany and the latter in Holland. Both came to America 
with their parents and about 1852 they were married in Delphos, Ohio, 
and for several years afterward they conducted a restaurant in that 
city. About the year 1857 they removed to Kansas, locating in Wyan- 
dotte County, and in this city they have lived ever since. For a great 
many years after locating here they conducted a large boarding-house, 
the principal one of the place, and during that time the father for 
three years acted as sexton of Oak Grove Cemetery. In 1871 they 
removed to that part of the town known as Old Kansas City, and April 
1, 1872, moved into their present residence, which is on the corner of 
Fifth and James Streets. For the past twelve years Mr. Peters has 
devoted his attention to mining in San Juan County, Colo., and has 
been quite successful. After following this calling for several years 
on his own responsibility they finally organized a stock company which 
is known as the Eureka Mining Company, and of this Mr. Peters acts 
as manager. The mines are operated during the summer season only 
and his presence there is only required half of the year, the other six 
months being spent with his family in Kansas City. He is a member 
of the I. O. O. F. lodge, and as a man possesses the confidence and 
respect of all who know him. He and wife in time became the par- 
ents of eight children, their names being as follows: Andrew Edward 
Charles, John Hermaun,William Frederick, and Wilhelmina Margaret, 
living, and Henry Christian, Martha, Minnie and Ida May, deceased. 
The subject of this sketch has thus far spent his entire life in Kansas 
City, and until he reached the age of sixteen years he was an atten- 
dant of the schools of the city, obtaining a good knowledge of the ordi- 
nary branches of learning. When he attained his eighteenth year he 
secured a position in a flouring-mill, but after spending two years at 
this calling he began learning the cigar- maker's trade, two years being 
thus spent" June 27, 1882, he entered the employ of F. M. Buck & 
Co. , who were conducting a grocery in the same room now occupied 
by Mr. Peters and his partner, and he remained as a clerk with that 
firm for three and one-half years, or until Mr. Buck's partner, Walter 
Greenwood, died. He then continued with Mr. Buck two years longer, 
at the expiration of which time he and James F. Nettleton became the 







successors of Mr. Buck, aad the firm of Peters & Nettleton was estab- 
lished. Their store is at No. 12 North James Street, aad of this they 
became the owners in November, 1887. They are both worthy busi- 
ness men, and possess the necessary qualifications for a successful 
career. Mr. Peters is a member of the K. of P., and is a young man 
who possesses many friends. 

Samuel S. Peterson, chief of police of Kansas City, Kas.. is a na- 
tive of Ottawa, La Salle County, 111., where he was born June 6, 
1842, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Domiuj') Peterson, the former of 
whom was born near Lexington, Ky., and the latter on Lake Cham- 
plain, in the State of New York. The father was a soldier in the 
Black Hawk War, after which he located in La Salle County, 111., 
where he was married in 1838, and where he followed the pursuit of 
farming the remainder of his days, passing from life in April, 1856. 
The paternal grandfather was John Peterson, and the mother's par- 
ents were Ezra and Rhoda (Smith) Dominy, both of whom were born 
on Long Island, and were the descendants of Puritan families. The 
former served in the War of 1812, and about 1833 moved with his 
family to La Salle County, 111. The mother of Samuel S. Peterson is 
still living and makes her home with him. The latter became familiar 
with farm life in his youth, and when the Rebellion broke out, with 
true patriotism he volunteered, and four days after the firing on Fort 
Sumter he enlisted in Company F, Tenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
with which he served three months or until his company reorganized 
for the three years' service as Battery C, of the First Regiment, Illi- 
nois Light Artillery. His company was commonly kno^Ti as Hough- 
taling's Battery, taking the name from its first captain. Mr. Peter- 
son served until the close of the war, being a brave and intrepid 
soldier, and at the close of the war was mustered out of service at 
Springfield, 111., June 12, 1865, having taken an active part in the 
engagements in the vicinity of Island No. 10, and subsequently in the 
siege of Corinth and the battle of Murfreesboro. At the latter place 
he was wounded by a ball in the left shoulder, and soon afterward was 
captured and taken to Libby Prison, where he was retained for .sixty- 
seven days, being exchanged at the expiration of that time. He at 
once rejoined his battery at Murfreesboro, and shortly afterward took 
part in the Tullahoma campaign, and still later in the battle of Chicka- 
mauga, where he was again captured, but succeeded in effecting his 
escape a few hours later. He was in all the engagements of the At- 
lanta campaign, and after the capture of that city he went with Sher- 







man ou his maroh to the sea. He was in the engagement at Benton- 
ville, N. C, and helped capture Johnston shortly after. The war 
then being at an end he went via Richmond to Washington, D. C, 
thence to Parkersburg, Cincinnati, Evansville and Indianaj)olis to 
Springfield, 111., where he was mustered out of the service June 12, 
1 865. For about three years following the war he resided in La Salle 
County, two of which were spent as deputy sherifiP, but in the spring 
of 1869, he severed his ties there and came to Kansas, locating in 
Montgomery County, and was for some time engaged in the livery 
business in Parker. He gave considerable attention to stock dealing 
and in addition discharged the duties of city marshal, being afterward 
appointed deputy United States marshal, continuing in this capacity 
until 1879. In 1874 he had moved to Independence, Kas. , where he 
served four years as city marshal, and in 1879 entered the employ of 
the Adnms Express Company as a messenger. In 1880 he removed 
from Independence to Newton, and shortly after became a messenger 
for the Wells Fargo Express Company. Since 1882 he has resided in 
Kansas City, but continued to fill the above named position until Oc- 
tober, 1887, since which time he has been the local agent of the com- 
pany and also the local agent for the American Express Company. In 
April, 1889, he was appointed by the board of police, commissioner 
chief of police, and in April, 1890, was reappointed. He is one of 
the leading citizens of this section, and no matter where he might set- 
tle he would command universal respect, for he is honest and upright 
in all his dealings, and is admirably fitted for the position he is now 
tilling. While in the employ of the Wells-Fargo Express Company, 
for successfully resisting the attack of a band of train robbers at 
Coolidge, Kas., September 29, 1883, he was presented with a hand- 
some gold watch and chain and $500 in money. His marriage, which 
occurred on March 26, 1861, was to Miss Hester A. Rogers, by whom he 
has two living children: Orrin J. and Sadie A. Mr. Peterson is a 
member of the A. F. & A. M. and the G. A. R., and is a stanch sup- 
porter of Republican principles. 

Hugh Pettengill, justice of the peace, and a prominent citizen of 
Rosedale, Kas., was born in Maine, near Minot, in Androscoggin 
County, on August 19, 1825, and is a son of Orren and Jane (Kendall) 
Pettengill, the father a native of Massachusetts, and the mother of New 
Hampshire. The father was born in 1797, of Scotch descent, and fol- 
lowed farming all his life. He went to Maine with his parents, opened 
a farm, and resided here until 1851, when he moved to Douglas County, 



t "V 



A' 




Kiis. He was one of the first settlers, and was here all through the 
trouble of 185G. He and his son (our subject) were strong Union 
men, and backed their ojsinions very actively. They made several vis- 
its East to their old home, and later settled in Jefferson County, Kas. 
He was visiting a daughter in Parsons at the time of bis death, which 
occurred in 1879. He was a member of the Free-AVill Baptist Church, 
and in politics was for many years an Abolitionist, and then a Repub- 
lican. He was in the saw-mill business when a young man, and was 
the son of Hugh Pettengill, who died in Maine, and who was a farmer. 
The mother was lioru in 1803, and died in 1889. She was the daughter 
of an Englishman, and was a woman of noted piety, belonging to the 
same church as her husband. Our subject, Hugh Pettengill, was the 
second of nine children — four sons and five daughters— five of whom 
are living at the present time. He spent his school days in Maine, and 
when nineteen years of age, began learning the shoemaker's trade, 
which he followed for ten years in Maine and Massachusetts. He then 
commenced to farm in the former Slate, near his father, and remained 
thus engaged until 1854, when he came to Douglas County, Kas. 
There be tilled the soil until 1863, when he returned to Maine, and 
there remained until 1877, farming and working at his trade. Re- 
turning then to Kansas, he settled in Jefferson County, remained 
there until 1881, and then engaged in the grocery business in Wyan- 
dotte County, until 1888, when be was elected justice of the peace and 
police judge. In 1850 be married Miss ZynthiaH. Lapham, daughter 
of Latrop Lapham, of Maine, who is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Pettengill were born six cbildi-en: Clara, Ellen, Frederick B., Nathan F., 
Kittie and Mary. Mr. Pettengill is a member of the K. of P., and 
was a member of the K. of H. In 1861 be enlisted in Company B, 
Ninth Kansas Volunteer Cavalryj and served until September, 1862, 
when he was honorably discharged. He was a stanch Republican, and 
took a great interest in that party until the second election of Gen. 
Grant. Since then he has been voting independently. He voted for 
Peter Cooper and Horace Greeley. 

James Phillips, an old citizen, and a man eminently respected for 
his many good qualities, was elected to the office of councilman of 
the First Ward of the old city of Kansas, and served one term. In 
1885 he was elected mayor of the same on the Republican ticket, with 
a majority of 752, in a vote of 1, 100, over bis opponent. While filling 
this position the James Street viaduct was built, the elevated railway 
franchised, and that of the Missouri Pacific Railroad switch track on 



f 



"^ 



-f 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



Ewiu. Street granted. After the consolidation in 1886 Mr. Phillips 
was elected at large t^vice, as a member of the city council, and served 
three years. He was chairman of the Ordinance and Franchise Com- 
mittees, serving the entire length of office, three years. He was also 
a member of the printing committee and other minor committees^ 
Durinc his tirst term he assisted in the construction of the new list of 
ordinances by which the city was governed. Among some of the im- 
portant franchises granted was the Metropolitan Street Car, Seventh 
Street Viaduct, electric road in South Side, a branch of the Metro- 
politan system and the Eiverview branch of the elevated road North- 
western Railroad, also to the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad in 
South Side, the electric light system, the rebuilding of the lire depart^ 
ment, purchasing hose reels, one for South Side and one for old 
Wyandotte City. Mr. Phillips was also prominent in securing a great 
many street improvements, chiefly in the North, West and South 
Side;, also some large sewer contracts let, in all footing up to 
$1 500 000 Mr. Phillips was born near Lexington, Ky., April Id, lb4b, 
and is' the eldest of eleven children born to Asa M. and Margaret 
(Pennington) Phillips, natives also of the Blue-Grass State. After 
crrowing up, the father engaged in merchandising and farming, and 
continued this until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he en- 
listed in the Thirty-second Kentucky Infantry, as captain. Among 
the battles engaged in were Richmond, Harrod.burg, Ky., and 
here he had a very narrow escape from death at the hands of the 
enemy. After the wai- he removed to Illinois, and engaged m tillmg 
the soil which he followed up to the present time. While growing 
up in his native county, James Phillips learned the trade of carpenter, 
which he has followed ever since he left Douglas County, 111. He 
came to this city in 1879, and the following year became connected 
with the Fowler Packing Company, and is now superintendent of the 
wood and construction department. Mr. Phillips was married Sep 
tember 13 1868, to Miss Hannah J. Carr, a native of Ohio, born May 
10 18-17 and the daughter of T. J. and May (Beaty) Carr. To this 
union three children were born: Jesse B., Lena and Floy. Mr. 
Phillips is a Republican in politics, and was elected to the above office 
on that ticket. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. , the A. O. U. ^^ ., 
and himself and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. He assists in all enterprises of a public nature that will bene- 
fit his city and county, and is charitable to the needy, a man who is 
honest and upright in all his dealings, and true to his friends. 



A 




James W. Phillips (deceased), late a prominent grocer and a worthy 
citizen of Kansas City, Kas., was born in England, September 7, 1843, 
being a son of George and Esther Phillips, with whom he came to the 
United States when he was seven years of age. Upon reaching this 
country the family settled at Geneva, N. Y. , where the subject of this 
sketch was reared to maahood. About 1865 he removed to Illinois, 
and two years later graduated from the commercial college at Jackson- 
ville. On April 20, 1869, he was married to Miss Evelyn Van Schoick, 
a native of Dayton, Ohio, her birth occurring there on September 14, 
1854, she being a daughter of Henry and Emma (Randall) Van Schoick, 
both natives of New Jersey. For about four years after his marriage 
Ml'. Phillips resided in Bloomington, but in 1873 he removed to Wichi- 
ta and here made his home until 1885. During all this time he fol- 
lowed the calling of a traveling salesman, but in 1885 he came to Kan- 
sas City, Kas., and embarked in the grocery business, a calling he 
followed until his death, which occurred April 7, 1889. His widow 
has since managed the business alone, and this establishment has 
become one of the largest and best patronized of the kind in the city. 
It is well located at No. 44t Minnesota Avenue, and the annual busi- 
ness which is done amounts to about 130,000, a fact that speaks louder 
than words can do, as to her executive ability and fair dealing. She 
is a lady possessing many Christian virtties, and her kindness of heart, 
liberality and honesty, are proverbial throughout the county. 

Gabriel Philiburt first came to this county in 1860, but after re- 
maining one year he pushed farther westward, and until 1866 was en 
gaged in prospecting for gold in the Rocky Mountains, also doing gen- 
eral labor. He then returned to Wyandotte County, Kas., and settled 
on his present farm of forty-four acres, usually devoting from ten 
to twenty-tive acres to potatoes, which will average about 150 bushels 
to the acre, two to five acres to sweet potatoes, raising the Yellow Jer- 
sey and Red Bermudas as most profitable, and from one to six acres in 
watermelons and cantaloupes. His potatoes and melons were planted 
together and did well. He also put in corn in the same way and thus 
raised two crops on the same piece of ground, in one season. His 
cabbage crop usually amounts to ooe acre, his varieties being Early 
York, Flat Dutch and Drum Head, having the best luck with the last 
mentioned. He also raises other vegetables in large quantities, 
and small fruits in abundance, but considers that twelve acres of land 
devoted to this industry are all that a man can successfullj' manage. 
He considers gardening at its infancy in this township and has great 



^ 



^v 



hones for the future. He was born on January 11. 1842. in Jackson 
County Mo , being a son of Gabriel Philiburt. and .luring his minority 
became thorouglily familiar with the duties of farm life, his father be- 
ing a successful tiller of the soil. He was given the advantages o the 
common schools, acquiring a good practical education, and until IS .U 
he remained at home, then came to Kansas, and in 1861 went to the 
Rocky Mountains, as above stated. He purchased his present farm at 
the rate of $36 per acre, but it is now valued at $1 ,000 per acre. On 
this is erected a large, substantial and comfortable dwellmg-house. 
besides a good barn and other outbuildings. In 1870 he was married 
to Miss Elnora Paul, a daughter of George Paul, a native of England, 
but who was reared in this country, living at the time of his marriage 
in this country. She was a kind and loving wife and mother, and her 
death which occurred June 20, 1889, was deeply mourned by not on- 
ly her immediate and sorrowing household, but by all who knew her. 
The childi-eu she bore Mr. Philiburt are as follows: Clara, John, Cora, 
Eleanor, William and Louis A. Mr. Philiburt is a Democrat, and for 
the past twelve years has been a school director in his district. He 
and his wife were members of the Catholic Church of Argentine and he 
is one of the public-spirited and law-abiding citizens of this section. 

Oliver W. Pierce, horticulturist. Bethel, Kas. Mr. Pierce's par- 
ents Elijah and Elizabeth (Whitwell) Pierce, were both natives of 
the Bav State, and his grandfather, Elijah Pierce, Sr., was a native of 
Middleborough, Plymouth County, Mass., and a soldier m the \\ ar of 
1812. The father was a sea captain, and followed that calling most of 
his life dying there when our subject was young. He left a family 
of three children-two sons and a daughter: George D. W. was thirty- 
eicrht years of age, when his death occurred in 1871, and he left two 
children (his wife had died previously): the sister. Lucretia ^\., 
became the wife of Charles E. Pierce, who is a carpenter in New Bed- 
ford, Mass. Oliver W. Pierce was born in Fall River, Mass. , January 
11 1842 receiving a good common-school education. When sixteen 
years of a-e, he went into a meat-market with his brother, and remained 
there untir nineteen years of age. He then enlisted in Company B, 
Seventh Massachusetts Infantry (June 16, 1861), and served three 
years, being mustered out at Taunton, Mass. He was m the Second 
and Third Divisions in the Sixth Army Corps, was in the first battle of 
Bull Run, and from that on was in every tight of the Army of the Poto- 
mac up to Petersburg. Cold Harbor being the last battle. He then re- 
turned to his old business, which he continued for a few years, working 



-^ 



r 



■ ^ — 

1 770 HISTOEY OF KANSAS. 



it£: 



for the South Boston Iron Works several years. He then left bis 
trade, and engaged in the butcher's business at Fall River, Mass., 
working at that until he came to Kansas City, Mo., in April, 1880. In 
March. 1890, he bought twenty-five acres, where he now lives, and in 
tends to devote this entirely to fruit growing, having at the present time 
300 apple trees, seventy- five peach and fifty cherry trees. The re- 
mainder of the land he devoted to small fruit. Mr. Pierce was 
married April 1, 1866, in Fall River, Mass., to Miss Caroline Fiske, 
and they have one son, George D. F., now twenty-one years of age. 
He has been traveling salesman for Ridenor, Baker & Co. , for two 
years, but is now at home. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are of the old Quaker 
stock and hold to their early training. Mr. Pierce is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, having joined that organization at Fall River, and 
be also belongs to the K. of H. He is independent in so far as his 
political predilections are concerned. While he still longs for the 
salt breeze, he has determined to make his home here, and with that 
end in view has set about improving his farm and building it up. 
The maternal ancestors of Mr. Pierce run back through the Wbit- 
wells and Winslows to the "Mayflowei-," three brothers of the Whit- 
wells' coming over in the " Mayflower." 

Nicholas Polfer, one of the earliest settlers of Prairie Township 
Wyandotte County, Kas. , was born in Luxemburg County, Redang, 
Calmus, April 11, 1829, but has been a resident of this region since 
18G6, although he first came to the United States in 1857. He is the 
eldest of seven children born to Frank Polfer, who was also born in 
Luxemburg County, Redang, Calmus. At the age of eighteen years 
he entered the French army and followed Napoleon Bonaparte, until 
the memorable battle of Waterloo, when he was taken prisioner of war. 
After his return home he settled on a farm where be remained until 
his thirty-fifth year, when he was chosen what is there called " Country 
Police," a position he filled with ability for twenty-nine years. He 
passed to his long home in 1863, having, prior to that time, been pre- 
sented with a medal by the French Government, be being a veteran of 
their army. Nicholas Polfer was reared to manhood in his native land, 
and in bis youth learned the trade of a wagon maker, a calling which 
be followed successfully for ten years. He came to America with his 
brother John in 1857, and after a short stay in the city of Chicago re- 
moved farther westward to Leavenworth, Kas., but soon tired of this 
place also. He next went to Weston, Mo., and after following his 
trade there for three years he spent a short time in St. Louis, next 



^-^ 



•f" 



WVANDOTTE COUNTY. 771 



spent a few months in St. Joseph, but throughont the Rebellion was a 
resident of latan, where he experienced some trying times, as this was 
one of the hotbeds of secession. In 18<)6 he came to Wyandotte 
County, Kas., purchased 160 acres of land (and this land improved 
with good buildings), all of which are capable of being tilled and in a 
good state of cultivation. He has a large lake on his property which 
is fed by a spring, and this lake he has stocked with German carp. 
In 1864 he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Argo, a daughter 
of James and Sarah Argo, native Kentuckiaus. Mrs. Polfer was born 
in Mason County of the same State, March '22, 1840, and has borne her 
husband seven children: Mary (wife of Bill Renick, residing near 
Kansas City, Mo.), Sarah (wife of John Renick), Mitchell, Frank, 
Susan, Benjamin and Nicholas. The three youngest members of the 
family remain at home and assist their parents in tilling the farm. 
Mr. Polfer supports the principles of Democracy and is a member 
of the school board of his district. He also belongs to the Farmers' 
Mutual Benefit Aid Association, Rock Lodge No. 4189, of which he 
is treasurer, and he is also a member of the I. O. O. F., holding his 
membership in latan, Mo. 

Eli Potter, the subject of the present sketch, is general agent of the 
Pennsylvania Mutual Life Insurance for the West, having his office in 
Kansas City. He has under his control the management of Kansas 
and Missouri, and is generally recognized as one of the most popular 
and successful insurance men in the United States. The old saying 
that '"practice makes perfect" is fully verified in this case, since he 
commenced to work with insurance, as early as 1868 with the North 
Western Insurance, and was soon given the general agency for Illinois, 
and at a later date he moved to Chicago, taking charge of the Mutual 
Benefit, and The New England of Boston. After eight years he moved 
to St. Louis, and in 1878 came to Kansas City to take charge of his 
lucrative position with the Massachusetts Mutual, and The Mutual 
of New York, having control of Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, and 
also opening the State of Dakota. In 1885 he accepted his present 
position, and there are few men in this State so well and favorably 
known as he. Mr. Potter's birth occurred in Hocking County, Ohio, 
September 6, 1847, being the yoiingest child born to Edward and Sarah 
( Morris) Potter, natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively, 
The father was of English descent, while the mother came of an 
Irish-Welsh family. The former was a physician, and a graduate of 
Yale College. The subject of this sketch remained at home until he 



) ly 



772 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



had reached his seventeenth year, at which time he went to Springfield 
to study medicine with a brother for three years, and afterward at- 
tended a medical college in Chicago, bnt upon the death of his brother, 
left school and began working in the insurance business. His busi 
ness averages $750,000 per year, and his success is undoubtedly great. 
He married Miss Anna Bates, daughter of Judge Truman Bates, of 
Nashville, Tenn., on January. 29, ISfiS. She was born March 20, 
1S44, and received an excellent education in Jacksonville College, 111. 
Mr. Potter displays much talent as an architect, making the plans for 
the famous Potter House that cost .1300,000, and is one of the most 
elegant houses in the West. It was commenced in 1881, and finished 
after the newest and most improved designs, and is besides elegantly 
furnished. One of the specialh' attractive features of this house is an 
office with silver and gold trimmings that cost |5,000. Mr. Potter is 
a member of the Democratic party, and very willing at all times to act 
in public matters of importance for the good of the community in 
which he resides. Both Mr. and Mrs. Potter are members of the 
Baptist Church. 

Edward D. Pratt is manager of B. F. Pratt's Consolidated Coal 
and Cooperage Company, Armourdale, Kas. , one of the largest manu- 
facturing establishments of barrels in the State of Kansas. This com- 
pany employs seventy-five men, has some of the latest improved ma- 
chinery, and do an annual business of $150,000. The capacity is 
500 barrels per day, and the business is ably managed by Edward D. 
Pratt. This gentleman was born in Greenup, Ky. , on November 29, 
1862, and is the son of F. L. and Hannah J. (Meyers) Pratt, natives 
also of the Blue-Grass State. F. L. Pratt, when a young man, en- 
gaged in the general mercantile business at Greenup, where he con- 
tinued until the bankrupt law took efPect, after the panic of 1872, 
which caused him to lose probably $50,000. At that time he was ap- 
pointed agent of the coopers along the Ohio River, it being his duty 
to receive the be.st prices for their product, and made his home in 
Cincinnati, Ohio, for a short time. Afterward he and family moved 
to Covington, Ky. , where they still make their home, although at 
present Mr. Pratt is at St. Francis, Ark., where he is connected with 
timber in an extensive way. There he makes staves, and his business 
serves as an impetus to the extensive cooperage business, of which our 
subject is manager. Edward D. Pratt secured his education in the 
schools of Kentucky, and was early taught the duties of the business, 
of which he is now the efficient manager. He remained with his 



J fy 




ihL^ 



father until 1885, and the following year came to Armonrdale, where 
he took charge of the Pratt Consolidated Coal and Cooperage Com- 
pany. In May, 1884, he married Miss Flora Alfreds, of Covington, 
Ky. , and the result of this union is two children: Ben and Roena. In 
politics Mr. Pratt is' a Republican. 

Theodore Praun, farmer and horticulturist, Kansas City, Kas. Of 
the many prominent citizens of foreign birth now residing in Wyan- 
dotte County none have made more progress or been more interested 
in the welfare of the county than the German element. Mr. Praun 
was born in Bavaria in November, 1835, and his early education was 
commenced in the private schools of his native country. Later he en- 
tered the gymnasium, remained there eight years, and then entered 
the University of Wurzburg. in Bavaria, where he remained for a 
year and a half. Mr. Praun is a thorough scholar, having taken a full 
scientific and a partial classical course, is a friend to education, and up- 
holds all educational principles. He emigrated from Munich in 1858, 
locating in Johnson County, on 320 acres of land, where he re- 
mained until the breaking out of the war. He then enlisted in Com- 
pany H, Second Kansas Volunteers, was assigned to the Western 
Department, and was in service for four years and a half. He was mus- 
tered into service on January '2, 1862, for three years' service, and his 
regiment was actively engaged in the following battles: Prairie Grove, 
Fort Wayne, Honey Springs, Van Buren, Fort Smith and Saline 
River. He was honorably discharged at Little Rock, Ark., in May, 
1865. Mr. Praun was married to Miss Mary Niever, a native of Ger 
many, who bore him six childi'en: Anna (resides in Missouri, and was 
married to John Kreis, who is a baker by trade), Theresa (resides with 
her parents), Josephine (also resides at home, and is quite a musician), 
Mary, and Theodore and Eddie (twins, twelve years of age, and very 
bright boys, especially in music). Mr. and Mrs. Praun are intelligent 
and ardent supporters of all the Christian principles which sustain 
humanity, and have always contributed to all benevolent interests which 
have been presented for their worthy consideration. In days gone by 
Mr. Praun had been an upholder of Republican principles, but since 
the temperance movement has taken such a despotic turn, he has up- 
hehl the principles of Democracy. He cast his first presidential vote 
for Abraham Lincoln, while he was in the ranks. He has been a mem- 
ber of the school board in his homo district for almost tive years. So- 
cially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., atKansas City, Kas. Just at 
the breaking oul of the war Mr. Praun and his brother came to Wyan- 






^ 




dotte County, bought sixty-two acres of land, and engaged as practi- 
cal agriculturists. They remained in this business until 18fi4, then 
sold out, repurchased, and are now engaged in horticulture and fruit- 
growing. Mr. Praun can truthfully state that when he came to this 
part of the country he could have purchased the land where Kansas 
City now stands for $50 per acre. He has witnessed the rapid devel- 
opment of this section of the country, and is interested in all enter- 
prises for the further development and growth of the same. He now 
resides in an elegant frame residence of two stories, built in octagonal 
style, and co.sting in all about $3,500. He raises a great deal of fruit, 
principally small, and is not only a prominent citizen of Wyandotte 
County, but is a prosperous busine.ss man and a German gentleman 
noted for his sociability and hospitality. He is thoroughly posted on 
all the important topics of current news, and is a man who can with 
intelligence portray to his friends the principles on which he stands to 
uphold a country of liberty. Mr. Praun was the ninth of fourteen 
children, five of whom are now living, born to his parents. 

John B. Prentis, druggist, Armourdale, Kas. The profession of 
the druggist is one which operates effectively in time of need, in 
arresting and alleviating the most acute pains and ailments to which 
the human body is heir, and therefore deserves the most thank- 
ful and appreciative consideration on the part of the public. Among 
the representative drug stores of the city is that conducted by John 
B. Prentis. Strict attention is jjaid to the compounding of physicians' 
or family prescriptions, all orders being executed with great care and 
immediate dispatch. Mr. Prentis was born in Charlottesville, Va., 
on February 26, 1859, and is the son of Robert R. and Margaret 
A. (Whitehead) Prentis, natives of Suffolk, Va. The father was a 
lawyer by profession, was county and circuit clerk of Albemarle Coun- 
ty, Va., at the time of his death in 1871, and was Grand Master of 
the State of Virginia, in Odd Fellowship. He was also a Mason. He 
was made colonel of the State Militia. The mother is now living at 
Suffolk, Va. They had a family of twelve children, of whom J. B. 
is the seventh son. He was educated at Charlottesville, Va. , first in 
the common schools and then in the academy, and remained at home 
until twenty one years of age. He then left home for the West, lo- 
cated at Warrenburg, Mo. , and embarked in the drug business for 
a time. Later he went to Colorado, but returned subsequently and 
located in Kansas City, where he again embarked in the drug business. 
In 1885 he came to Armourdale and has since continued his former 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 775 



business, carrying a general assortment of pure, fresh drugs and 
chemicals, all the standard proprietary medicines, fancy and toilet 
articles, perfumes and all those articles required by physicians in their 
practice. He is a man of sound judgment, good practical common 
sense, and has the grit and determination to succeed in whatever he 
undertakes. He is a standi Democrat in politics, and was born and 
reared in the birthplace of President Jefferson. M'hile he is inclined 
to be a natural leader among men, he never swerves from party prin- 
ciples. He is pleasant and agreeable in his social relations, is gener- 
ous to a fault, and in fact is a man in whom the county and State may 
well be proud. He is a first-class pharmacist and his efficiency in his 
profession is the result of long experience and practice. Mr. Prentis 
was married in March, 1888, to Miss Ida M. Koepsel, a charming and 
highly accomplished lady, a native of Nebraska, daughter of Kev. 
Herman Koejisel, of Smithton, Mo. He is a member of the K. of P., 
Uniform Rank, Select Knights, in the A. O. U. W., and Foresters. 
William Priestley. Many years ago James Priestley and Miss Pris- 
cilla Mitchell were born in England, and in that country were married. 
They continued to make that their home until 18-14, at which date 
they emigrated to the United States, to find new scenes and different 
customs. Mr. Prie-stley was a weaver, and upon reaching the new 
country, settled first in Wisconsin, but at a later date moved to Kansas 
City. Of this union was born the subject of this sketch, William 
Priestley, whose birth occurred at Kenosha, Wis., October 31, 1844, 
and in that State continued to live up to the time of his manhood, re- 
ceiving a good common-school education. He enlisted in Company G, 
Second Wisconsin Cavalry, on November 14, 1861, serving under Capt. 
Dale and Capt. C. C. Washburn. He was engaged in" the battle of 
Prairie Grove, Ark., and did scouting duty through the South, and 
followed Gen. Custer to Texas; where he took part in numerous bat- 
tles. He was sufficiently fortunate to escape injury, and was mustered 
out at Austin, Texas, and discharged at Madison, Wis., in December, 
1865. When peace was once more restored throughout the country, 
Mr. Priestley came to Kansas City, but owing to illness, was compelled 
to return to Wisconsin, where he remained three years, returning to 
Wyandotte County in 1869, where he has made his home up to the 
present date. On March 8, 1874, he married Miss Martha Barnett, 
who died in two years after their marriage, and November 14, 1877, he 
married Mrs. Henrietta (Blum| Zick, a native of Illinois. To this union 
were born five children, four of whom are living, viz. : Priscilla. Wil 






i "V 



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776 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



himaine B. , Charlotte M., and Mary E. Mr. Priestley is a member 
of tlie Republican party. He was brought up in the Episcopal Church, 
and takes a great interest in religious matters. He is a member of 
the Wyandotte Lodge No 3, A. F. & A. M,,of which he is past master, 
Wyandotte Chapter No. 6, Knight Templar, and Ivanhoe Commandery 
No. 21, Summonduwott Lodge No. 3, I. O. O. F., going through the 
chair, and was representative to the Grand Lodge of the State in 1873 
and 1878, Wyandotte Encampment No. 9, of which he was represent- 
ative. He also belongs to the Fellowship Lodge No. 2, K. of P. , and 
was one of the charter members of the Franklin Lodge No. 293, A. O. 
U. W., and also of Burnside Post No. 28, G. A. R. , being senior 
vice-commander at the present time. Mr. Priestley is numbered 
among the prominent brick contractors of Kansas City, and has been 
unusually successful in his business ventures. Among the well-known 
business and dwelling houses that he has erected, is the I. O. O. F. 
building, two large additions to the Blind Institute, the residence of 
John B. Scroggs, and the George Bishop Block, and many others of 
equal size and cost. 

Joseph Folliard Perdue, attorney at law, Kansas City, is one of 
those men, too few in number, who fully recognize the truth so often 
urged by the sages of the law, that, of all men, the reading and thought 
of a lawyer should be the most extended. Sj'stematic reading gives a 
more comprehensive grasp to the mind, variety and richness to thought, 
and a clearer perception of the motive of men and the principles 
of things, indeed, of the very spirit of laws. This he has found most 
essential in the prosecution of his professional practice. Mr. Perdue 
was born in Chester County, Penn., on November 2, 1846, and is a 
son of William Folliard and Emily (Pyle) Perdue. The Perdue fam- 
ily were originally French Huguenots, and intermarried with Hooja- 
ers and Pines of England. On both the father's and mother's side 
the ancestors came to America with William Penn, and settled in 
Chester County, Penn. The first of the name (as far back as can be 
traced), was one Dr. William Perdue, a French Huguenot, who, be- 
ing obliged to leave France, went to the North of Ireland, and there 
joined the Friends or Quakers. He emigrated to America about 1735, 
and brought his certificate of membership to Chester Valley, where 
that branch of the family still reside. He was the great-great grand 
father of our subject. The Great-grandfather Perdue was born in 
Chester Valley, Penn., and during the Revolution was engaged in 
ship-biiilding for the colonists. A letter from him at Cape May is still 

T 



>> 




in the family. He bad two eliildien, une of whom (William Perdue), 
was our subject's grandfather, and was a farmer of Chester County, 
the greater part of his life. He was born in 1774 and died in 1856, 
and his wife was born in 1772 and died in 1858. The grandmother 
remembered the battle of Brandywine and saw the British soldiers 
pick up the geese from the ponds with swords as they passed through 
the town. The maternal grandmother lived to be ninety-nine years of 
age. Our subject saw both his great-grandfather and grandmothers. 
William Folliard Perdiie, father of subject, was born September 7, 
1811, and was the third in order of birth of seven children, all biit 
one of whom lived to mature years. He was engaged in manufactur- 
ing iron the early part of his life, and in the latter part was a stock- 
dealer and farmer. He was a Quaker, and died on September 29, 
1880. The mother was born in Chester County, Penn., on July 15, 
1834, and is still residing in Chester County with her daughter, Anna 
Perdue, who, with our subject, are the only children. Joseph F. 
Perdue secured his education in the public schools and in the acad- 
emy at Coatesville, Penn., was in the latter three years, and then en- 
tered a bank at that place as book-keeper. While holding that posi- 
tion he continued his studies under a private tutor, and remained in 
the bank until over twenty-one years of age. On April 25, 1868, he 
entered the office of Wayne McVeagh, attorney general in President 
Garfield's Cabinet, and was admitted to the bar in West Chester, 
where Mr. McVeagh then lived, and later was admitted to the Chester 
County bar on motion of Mr. McVeagh, on February 18, 1870. The 
latter then offered Mr. Perdue a partnership with him, and it was 
accepted. But on June 15 of the same year Mr. McVeagh's health 
failed, and he accepted the appointment of United States minister to 
Constantinople. Mr. Perdue practiced his profession in West Chester 
until October 2, 1886, and then came to Kansas City, Mo., where he 
has since practiced. He purchased his present property where he 
lives in Kansas City, Kas. , in 1880, and moved to it in August of the 
same year. On January 2 of the following year he purchased a 
newspaper, Coatesville Times, and edited this for two years in 
connection with his law practice. He took the paper when it was all 
run down and succeeded well with it. In politics he is a Republican, 
and when the Republican Chib was organized in Kansas City, Mo. , held 
the position of president, this club being the most important west of Chi- 
cago. In his practice Mr. Perdiie does chiefly corporation and real estate 
isractice, and makes a special study of corporation law. He occupies 



•r 



Ml 




Rooms 45 and 40 Bunker Building, and besides his law lihi ary Las a 
large private library. He was married in Roger's Ford, Montgomery 
Coimty. Penn., on April 11, 1883, to Miss J. L. Buckwater, a native 
of Chester County, Penn., and the daughter of H. L. Buckwater, a 
native of the same county, Pennsylvania. They have the following 
children: Joseph Folliard (born October 19, 1885), Henry Buckwater 
(born November 2, 1886), and Emily Mary (born December 24, 1888). 
Mr. Perdue is a K. T. in the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of 
the Episcopal Church. He has practiced his profession in all the 
courts of the State and otherwise in Kansas and Missouri, he has 
been counsel for the Inter-State Trust Company, Lombard Trust Com- 
pany, Midland Investment Company, West Side Land & Park 
Company, Boulevard, Land & Park Company, and a large nnmber 
of others, including the Inter-State Water & Electric Power Com- 
pany. 

E. R. Purdy, foreman of the lard and oil house of Armour's Pack- 
ing Company, Kansas City, Kas., is a wide- awake and thoroughly 
reliable man of business. He first saw the light of day in New York 
City in 1845, and is the son of Robert and Sarah (Hobby) Purdy, 
both natives of the Empire State also, the father born in the village 
of Chappaqua. From the age of seventeen, except the time he spent 
in learning, and the three years he followed the trade of machinist, 
E. R. Pnrdy has been engaged in the lard business. He worked in 
the lai'd refineries in New York City for about twenty years, and had 
charge of A. W. McFarland's Lard Refinery in that city for three 
years. After this he was with Rhoe Bros., of that city, two years; 
Chamberlain, Roe & Co., for two years; John Sackett & Co., two 
years; George C. Naphey, of Philadelphia, Penn., for two years, and 
was with Fowler Bros., Chicago, for two years and a half. He then 
worked for Fowler for one year in Kansas City, and has now been 
with Armour two and a half years. He also was with A. G. Knapp 
of New York City in 1864 and 1865. He is thoroughly experienced, 
having been in the lard refining business for twenty-eight years, and 
is a valuable man for the position. He is non-partisan in politics, and 
is a man who attends strictly to his businsss afFairs. He resides in 
Kansas City. 

W. A. Pyle, dry goods and clothing, Armourdale, Kas. A strong 
and representative house in this line in Armourdale is that of Mr. 
Pyle, who for several years has been carrying a live business as a 
dealer in general dry goods, etc. He was born in Adair County, Ky., 

el ] - [ y ^ 

\P « r- -^ e \ 



:i^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 779 



on April 5, 1844, and is a son of Olivor A. and Frances (Turnur) Pyle, 
natives also of Adair County, Ky. The parents emigrated to Platte 
County. Mo., in 1852, and the father died in Cass County, of that 
State. The mother is yet living. The father was a carpenter and 
joiner. They had two children, of whom our subject is the only sur- 
vivor. He passed his youth and boyhood in Parkville, Mo., where he 
was educated in the common schools, and later entered a store as clerk. 
He has followed merchandising ever since. In December, 1861, he 
enlisted in Company C, Eighteenth Missouri Infantry, and served 
three months. He was in the battle of Shilob. where he was taken 
sick and sent home on account of disability. He remained at Park- 
ville until 1867, and then came to Cottonwood Falls, Kas., where he 
was in the dry goods business for some time. From there he went to 
Cass Count}', Mo., thence to the Joplin Lead Mines, where he carried 
on business until 1883, and then came to Kansas City. Kas., where 
he is yet engaged in merchandising, carrying a large stock of dry- 
goods, etc. He is vice-president of the Board of Trade and a mem- 
ber of the council for the Sixth Ward. He is also vice-president of 
the Wyandotte County Coal & Mining Company. Socially he is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, having had bestowed upon him the 
thirty second degree. He was married in 1873 to Miss Mollie Hughes 
Mr. W. B. Raymond, undertaker, -Kansas City. Kas. The busi- 
ness of the undertaker is certainly not of pleasant association, yet it is 
a necessary one. There must be some one to perform the last sad 
oflSces, and it is necessary then that they should be men of sympa- 
thetic dispositions, with tact and deep knowledge of human nature, 
and with a perfect knowledge of their important calling. Mr. Ray- 
mond has been in this business for many years, and is thoroughl}' 
familiar with it in all its different bearings. He was born in Kentucky 
in 1848, and when thirteen years of age was obliged to make his own 
way in life. He first commenced working in a brick-yard at Cairo, 
HI., and later went to Chicago with Prof. Hamilton, the celebrated 
horse-trainer. Later yet he was with Dan Rice, the great clown and 
showman, and then was with Van Amburg's eelelirated show. He went 
to Baltimore, Md., New York City, and then shipped on the United 
States war yessel "Brooklyn," with which he remained two years and 
eight months. During that time he was on one of the war ships that 
escorted the remains of Admiral Farragut from Fortiess Monroe to 
New York, at which place he was buried. Later Mr. Raymond went 
to Europe and visited many of the ports bordering on the Baltic, Medit- 



^. 






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ihiL 




erranean and North Seas, and visited Nortberu Afi-ica. After this he 
visited Germany, was at Copenhagen, Denmark, and then returned to 
New York. He and a companion signed articles agreeing to go to 
Egypt, hut on account of cruel treatment, quit the ship at South Hamp- 
ton, England. They went to and remained in London two months 
without employment or money, visited Bristol, Gloucester, and other 
cities, and then shipped out of Wales on a sailing vessel, the Idaho, of 
Bath, Me., to New Orleans, and was fifty-five days in making the 
trip. Our subject was then employed in a sugar camp in Louisiana, 
was afterward in Tennessee, and then went to St. Louis, where he 
worked on the street railroad for three and one half years. From there 
be went to Detroit, Mich. , and engaged in the undertaking business with 
George AV. Latimer, continuing at this business four years. From 
there he came to Kansas City, worked for J. N. Ball, and in 1881 suc- 
ceeded that gentleman in business, first with H. H. Sawyer as a part- 
ner, and was then with G. L. Freeman, but later was by himself in 
bu.siness. He has been very successful in this, and has the leading 
trade in the city. His stock is complete in every detail, and he has 
buried 2,700 people since 1885. Mr. Raymond was married in Kan- 
sas City, Kas. , to Miss. Bertha Crafke, who was born in Hanover, 
Germany. She is a member of the German Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Mr. Raymond is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., 
Foresters, Iron Hall, A., O. U. W , and he has been an officer in these 
various lodges. 

George M. Rehm, grocer. Well-directed energy always tells, and 
no better proof of it can be found than in the case of Mr. Rehm, who 
in July, 1881, opened a meat market in Kansas City, Kas., on North 
Third Street. His early life was spent in the city of Louisville, Ky., 
where he was born June 8, 1853, and in the public schools of his na- 
tive city he received his knowledge of the ordinary branches of learn- 
ing, and later completed his studies in a business college. When not 
in .school he assisted his father, and thus became familiar with the 
butcher's trade. February 11, 1880, he was married in Fort Wayne, 
Ind. , to Miss Bertha D. Taylor, of that city, and on the eve of their 
marriage they proceeded to Louisville, and there made their home until 
the following year, coming in February to Kansas City, Mo., and a 
month later to Kansas City, Kas. April 16, 1881, he entered the em- 
ploy of Henry Hafner of this city, for whom he started a meat-market 
on North Third Street, but at the end of about three months he bought 
the establishment, and embarked in business for himself. A month 



later he took iu as ii partner a young man by the name of John L. 
Franck, an old friend and cbum of his from Louisville. Shortly after 
this connection the firm began gradually to embark in the grocery bus- 
iness, and being successful in this venture, with their profits they grad- 
ually increased their stock until they became possessed of a first-class 
grocery establishment, which they conducted jointly with their meat 
market. Finally, in 1884, Mr. Rehm purchased Mr. Franck's inter- 
est and has owned and conducted both establishments up to the pres- 
ent time. He possesses a genial nature, and this, together with his 
courteous manner, has enabled him to build up a good patronage. 
Aside from his regular piirsuits, Mr. Rehm has also been identified with 
some other business ventures. In 1883 he and his partner, Mr. Franck, 
established a canning factory, which they operated one year. In 1887 he 
established the Wyandotte Commission Store, which he conducted suc- 
cessfully alone two years, and in which he still has a half interest. He 
is a young man of excellent habits and his circle of friends is large. 
He and his wife are among the city's best citizens, and while he is a 
member of the German Lutheran Church, she belongs to the Presby- 
terian Church. His marriage has resulted in the birth of six children, 
the first being a daughter that died unnamed. Those living are Roy 
Stewart, Ella Fern, Louis Paul, Harry Newton and Robert Ray. Mr. 
Rehm's parents, Louis and Teresa (Yeager) Rehm, were both born in 
Germany, but were married in Louisville, Ky. , about 1840, the father 
having come to America some four years earlier. Of a family of ten 
children born to them, five are now living. Four of the children died 
in infancy, and a daughter, named Louisa, died at the age of eight 
years. Those living are Louis. Flrich, Mary, Elizabeth, George Mat- 
thias, Anna Augusta Frederica and Clara Fanny. The father, who was 
a butcher by trade, resided in Louisville from the time of his marriage 
until his death, in 1888. He carried on an extensive meat business in 
that city for about fifty years, and was one of that city's most substan- 
tial citizens. His wife still resides thei-e. 

Wilson S. Reitz, grocer. Some of the most enterprising and ener- 
getic merchants of the go ahead town of Kansas City, Kas., are identi- 
fied with the grocery trade, and prominent among thtse" engaged in 
this calling is Mr. Reitz. This gentleman was born in Northumber- 
land County, Penn., July 9, 1859, to the union of Joseph Reitz and 
Catherine Siders, both of whom were also born in Northumberland 
County, the former's birth occurring about 1823. He and his wife 
had a family of eleven children, of whom the subject of this sketch 



^. 



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J^t 



was the tenth. Mr. Reitz spent bis entire life in bis native county 
and iiltbougb his attention in early years was devoted to farming, he 
spent bis last sixteen years in Treverton, where he was engaged in 
business. He owned an excellent farm of 109 acres and was a very 
successful farmer, but he was also a successful general merchant, 
and was the owner of the largest and most valuable business blocks 
in the town. He was an influential man in that community and a 
worthy citizen. He died in May, 1870, after which his wife returned 
to the home farm but still later removed to Shamokin, Penn., where 
she now makes her home. Wilson S. Reitz was nine years of age 
when his parents removed fi'om their farm to town, and was, therefore, 
only eleven years of age when his father died. He then accompanied 
his mother back to the farm and finally to Shamokin and there made 
his home with her until he attained his nineteenth year. He was mar- 
lied there at that age April 25, 1878, to Miss Lenora Newberry, a 
native of Perry County, Penn., born May 11, 1800. For two years 
after his marriage Mr. Reitz was engaged in the cattle business at 
Shamokin, but becoming dissatisfied with his location, he, in Septem- 
ber, 1880, came to Kansas City, Kas. , and here opened a meat-market, 
continuing successfully until January, 1881, when, on account of the 
ill health of his wife, he returned to Shamokin, Penn., and resumed 
the cattle business. He once more returned to this city in May, 1883, 
and this has since been his home. From May uutil November, 1883, 
ho devoted his attention to baying and shipping of cattle, but at the 
last-named date he became the proprietor of a meat-market and has 
successfully conducted an establishment of that kind nearly ever since. 
He had only been in the meat business a few months when he added a 
stock of groceries, and barring a few intervals necessitated by business 
changes, he has conducted a grocery store and meat-market jointly 
ever since. He now occupies the three business rooms at Nos. 909, 
911 and 913 Minnesota Avenue, one of which contains a fine stock of gro- 
ceries, another a well-kept meat-market, and in the third is carried a 
stock of hardware. The marriage of Mr. Reitz has resulted in the 
birth of eight children: Sarah C. , Harvey S., Bertha M. , Ella, Ida and 
Walter (twins), Pearl, and an infant daughter, Cora. Mr. and Mrs. 
Reitz are members of the Evangelical Methodist Church, and since 
opening up at his present stand he has built up a large and flourish- 
ing trade, a credit alike to his energy and ability, and to the town. 
His entire stock is of a superior quality and being purchased on the 
most favorable terms, the advantages derived therefrom by Mr. Reitz 



are extended to the cousumer, hence tlie large and nourishing trade 
carried on. Although a young man he has been eminently successful, 
and he is considered one of the substantial business men of the place. 
He owns nine residence lots, three of which are improved with good 
houses, and besides his real estate he has a large amount of capital 
invested in other ways, all of which is well secured, and from which he 
realizes a good income. He is full of push and energj', and possesses 
to a marked degree all the attributes which are necessary to success. 
N. B. Richards, M. D. In giving a sketch of the life of this gen- 
tleman it will be well to give a brief review of the lives of his ances- 
tors who have taken a prominent part in the history of the country. 
John and Lydia (Havefr) Richards were the paternal grandparents and 
John and Jane (Ingle) Victor were the maternal grandparents of the 
subject of this sketch. They came to the colonies at an early peiiod, 
the former from England and the latter from Germany, and in New 
Jersey they settled with their parents, where they were reared among 
the sorrows and suffering.s of the colonial and Revolutionary times, 
the men being active participants in those sanguinary scenes illus- 
trated by the red man, the tomahawk and scalp)ing knife, of hopes 
deferred, of marches and counter-marches, gloomy defeats and bril- 
liant victories, culminating at length in the independence of the col- 
onies. In course of time, after peace had been declared, these two 
families, in company with other parties, struck out upon the old mili- 
tary trail of Gen. Braddock, leading from Fort Cumberland to Fort 
Du Quesne, and which passed through the eastern part of Fayette 
County, Penn. When they came to this section, which embraced a 
large portion of the beautiful valley of the Mouongahela, they there 
pitched their tents and rested, the families growing up together and 
engaging in the limited avocations afforded by a new country. Here, 
near the close of the eighteenth century, were born the parents of the 
subject of this sketch, Geoige Richards and Jane Victor, who were 
eventually married in the year 1811. A few months after their mar- 
riage the War of 1812 opened, and at the call of his country Richards 
and many of his neighbors enlisted, marched gallantly to the front 
and stood in the deadly breach, until at New Orleans the gallant 
Jackson defeated the British general, Packenham, and thus brought 
peace to the country and the war worn veterans to their homes and 
kindred once more. In 1821 and 1822 two sons were born to bless 
Mr. Richards' union, John V. and N. B. , the former being now a resi- 
dent of Illinois and the latter, the subject of this biography. At the 



Tf- 



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784: HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



early ages of six and live years, the death of their father left theui 
orphans and their mother a widow. She seems to have been a mother 
of Spartan vigor of will and strength of convictious, for she immedi- 
ately set about the sacred duty of rearing her two boys in the habits 
of honesty, frugality, sobriety, diligence and a worthy ambition. In 
1829 she was again united in matrimony to John Gadd, of Fayette 
County, Penn., who proved a loving husband to her and a kind step 
father to her sons. This marriage was blessed by the birth of live 
children — two sons and three daughters— four of whom are still liv- 
ing: Joe H. (of Kansas City, Kas.), Jinnie W. (wife of Dr. J. C. 
Martin), Emma (of Kansas City, Kas.), and Mariamua (wife of Dr. 
M. Dunn, of Minneapolis, Kas.). When the 'subject of this sketch 
arrived at the age of sixteen years, at his own solicitation, he was ap- 
prenticed out to hard toil for five years in learning a useful trade, but 
long before he had reached his majority the aspirations of a restless 
mind prompted him to higher aims upon the theater of human action. 
Resolving to prepare himself for a higher field of usefulness, as well 
as responsibility, he laid his plans accordingly and promptly set to 
work to carry them out. He selected the profession of school-teach- 
ing as a financial stepping-stone to a medical education, and for years 
toiled on, hoping against hope, teaching for $18 per month, from six 
to nine months in the year, and by dint of hard labor and unremit- 
ting assiduity he finally reached the highest salary paid in the coun- 
try, S35 per month. Alternately teaching and attending, as a student, 
the academies of Belle Vernon, Monongahela City and Uniontown.Penn. , 
all of which were within the precincts of his native county, he toiled 
on till he reached the coveted goal, spending eight years of his life in 
this manner. Having mastered the prescribed course of medical 
reading, under his preceptor, Dr. E. M. Walker, of Uniontown, 
Penn., in the fall and winter sessions of 1852-53, he entered as a 
matriculant the Western Reserve Medical College of Cleveland, Ohio. 
He was always a close student, whether in or out of college, and at 
the close of the session he began the practice of medicine at Wilmore, 
Cambria County, Penn. , where he at once took a prominent position 
as a successful practitioner among the medical fraternity of that 
county. In 1856 he moved West and located in Bethalto, Madison 
County, 111. Into this new field he brought his untiring energy and ma- 
tured judgment, where he labored for years, winning siiccess and a com- 
petence as a reward for his toils and sleepless vigils among the aiflicted. 
In the fall and winter of 18fi4-C5 he completed the prescribed course 






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of lectures at Bellevne Hospital Medical College, New York, and re 
ceived the degree of M. D., with diploma conferring the same, in 
March, 1865. Eeturuing to his old field he renewed the practice of 
medicine, and on December 8. 1868, he entered the marriage relation 
with Mrs. Beff C. Stewart, formerly of Uniontown, Penn., but at the 
date of the nuptials a resident of Syracuse, Mo., and the relict of O. 
Stewart. She is still living, a devoted companion of her husband 
and a kind and loving mother of three children, the sacred pledges of 
this union: George R. , Blanche S. and Millie May, all living and 
grown to manhood and womanhood. December 10. 1879, Dr. Rich- 
ards' mother passed to her long home, having been an earnest Chris- 
tian for many years. She was almost a centenarian in age. and more 
than that in the varied experiences of this fitful life. She had been 
a firm disciplinarian, tempered with prudential mercy and justice, and 
through all her life never relinquished her authority to admonish and 
command her children, even though men and women grown, and they 
never once thought of challenging her right so to do. To her life- 
long counsels and pious admonitions her children acknowledge, in a 
great measure, whatever of life's successes and honors they have at- 
tained to. In 1885, while following his profession in Illinois, the Doctor 
received a call from Di-. J. C. Martin, of Kansas City, Kas., to asso- 
ciate himself with him in the practice of medicine and surgery. He 
moved out with his family and entered into the copartnership in Oc- 
tober of the same year, which relation still exists between them mutu- 
ally and pleasantly. The Doctor and family are members of the First 
Presbyterian Church, and whatever influence he may have is always 
cast (so far as be has opportunity) upon the side of religion, sobriety 
and obedience to law and order. He has had a long and eventful 
life, has lived under the administration of nineteen out of the twenty- 
three presidents of the Republic. He claims to be living in the gold- 
en age of the world's history; and when the events of the nineteenth 
century pass in review before him, the achievements in letters, in the 
sciences, in the arts (ornamental and useful), in the spread of intelli- 
gence, of missions, the new life infused into the noble and heaven - 
born profession of the healing art, the annihilation of time and space 
in the transmission of thought, with thousands of other inventions 
and devices for the ennobling and ameliorating the environments of 
the souls and bodies of the human family, he thinks that one year 
of the nineteenth century is of far greater value as an educator than 
the same period of time taken from any one of all the past centuries. 



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Tbrougl) th<- shadow of the globe we sweep into the younger day; 
Better fifty years of Europe than a cycle of Cathay. 

Thomas B. Roberts, car builder, of Armour Packing Company, 
Kansas City. When natural ability and energy are united in the same 
person, they can accomplish almost any given object, and these traits 
have raised the subject of this sketch to a high position in commercial 
circles, and enabled him to command first-class positions with the lead- 
ing firms in the United States. He is by birth and education an En- 
glishman, having made his first appearance into this world at Brom- 
ley, December 18, 1828. He was the fourth in number of the seven 
children born to llobert and Mary (Brooks) Roberts. Of these chil- 
dren only Thomas and W. W. are living at the present writing, the lat- 
ter making his home at Spokane Falls, Idaho. The father and mother 
were both residents of England, though the former was of Welsh de- 
scent. He followed agricultural pursuits until the year 1831, at which 
date he moved to Toronto, Canada. In the War of 1812 he fought on 
the British side, and upon going to British America, took n\:> a land grant 
as an old soldier. His birth occirrred in Shropshire County, Wales, 
the mother's in Sussex County, England. His death occurred in St. 
Catherine's, Ontario, when he had attained his ninety-seventh year, the 
wife died in the same place, at the age of eighty-seven. The subject 
of this sketch, at the age of fifteen, commenced learning the carpenter 
and joiner's trade, and this continued to occupy his attention for a pe- 
riod of six years. His special talent was for building milLs, but after 
a time he began his career as a builder of bridges, and worked for the 
great North-AVestern Railroad, building elevators for them. In 1860 
Mr. Roberts moved to Detroit, where he served as foreman in the car- 
building department of the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad, now known 
as the Michigan Central Railroad, but in 1865, resigned that position, 
to accept that of general foreman of the Crogan Street Car shops, for 
H. H. Leroy. He continued to hold that position until July 18, 1867, 
at that time being called by Superintendent J. B. Sutherland of the 
Michigan Southern, to take charge of the shops of that company at 
Detroit. On August 15, 1871, he accepted his present position with 
Armour Packing Company. He is exceedingly ingenious, getting uji 
the drawings and blue prints of the Arnold Refrigerator Company. 
Mr. Roberts was married in Richmondhill, Canada West, on Decem- 
ber 27, 1851, to Miss Nancy Dunlap. She was a native of Edinburg, 
Scotland, her birth occurring June 2-t, 1835, and being the daughter 
of James Dunlap. To Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have been born eleven 






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children; Thomas G. , David, Joseph, John, James, Emily, Sue, 
Nellie, Mollie, Minnie and Queen. Mr. Koberts' political sympathies 
are decidedly with the Republican party. He was elected, under 
Mayor Haines, as councilman of the Fourth Ward, and under Mayor 
Cable, to the Second AVard. He is a member of the Asher Lodge No. 
Ul, Detroit, Mich., A. F. & A. M. He also belongs to the Chapter 
No. 6, Ivanhoe Commandery No. 21, and Fellowship Lodge No. 8, K. 
of P. A long and highly successful career has given Mr. Roberts an 
eminent place in business circles, and has won for him the esteem and 
confidence of all who know him. 

Wilhelm F. Rohrbach is a resident of Section 6, Wyandotte 
Township, Wyandotte County, Kas., where he is the owner of a valu- 
able little farm, comprising thirty and one half acres, lying within a 
mile and aLalf of the city limits of Kansas City. He was born in Heil- 
bronn.Wirtemburg, Germany, March 21, 1835, being the third in a fam- 
ily of live children, his brothers aiid sisters being named as follows: 
Frederick (deceased, who was a wine gardener and died at the age of 
sixty-two years), Conrad (who is following the same occupation at his 
home in Wirtemburg), Bernhardt (who died in infancy), and Henri- 
etta, who resides in Heilbronn, her husband being a designer in mold- 
ings). Mr. Rohrbach has a half brother and sister, Henrich (a farm- 
er in Wirtemburg), and Christina (who died at the age of fifty 
years, her husband being engaged in the transportation of passengers 
by private conveyance. Mr. Rohrbach' s parents were native Germans, 
and the father was a wine grower and died in 1842 at the age of fifty- 
six years, his wife dying in 1848 at the age of forty-eight years. Mr. 
Rohrbach' s first educational training was obtained under a private tu- 
tor, after which he attended the common normal .school for eight years, 
where he received rigid discipline and training which admirably fitted 
him for practical life, which he has led. When fourteen years of age 
he began life as an agriculturist, but followed several callings in his 
varied life. He emigrated to America in 1853, and after a very stormy 
voyage reached New York City and secured employment on Long Isl- 
and, and from there going to Pittsburgh, Penn., thence to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, to Louisville, Ky.. and to St. Louis, going from the latter place 
to New Orleans, after which he went to Boonville, Mo. , and from there 
to Rock Island, 111., where he remained two years, and since the fall 
of 1866 has been a resident of Wyandotte County, Kas. , having first 
purchased eighteen acres of land. He can truthfully say that on 
coming to this section, the country was a wilderness, for little or 



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no iiuprovemeut had been made. He set to work to clear his 
land, erecting thereon some good buildings, and has since added 
enough to his original purchase to make thirty and one-half 
acres, on which he raises large quantities of fruit. His farm is one 
of the tinest in this section, owing to the admirable manner in which 
it has been tilled, and although he has been offered large sums 
for it, $1,000 per acre would not tempt him to sell. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Margaret Fischer, who was born and received her early 
education in Germany, her subsequent education being obtained 
in the schools of Illinois and in the Sisters' Seminary of St. Louis, 
Mo. Their union took place in Booneville, Mo., on December 17, 
ISfil, and has resulted in the birth of the following children: Wil- 
helm F. (who resides with his father and is engaged in farming and fruit- 
growing, and was married to Miss Lena Myers, a native of Missouri. 
Besides receiving the advantages of the common schools, he attended 
Palmer College, of Kansas City, Kas.), Heinrich J. (single and a 
farmer by calling), Margaretta (an intelligent young lad}'), Joseph 
(died at the age of four years I, George (died in infancy), George Con- 
rad (died in infancy), Franz Karl (aged fifteen years), Christina Henri- 
etta (aged fourteen), Theodore Gustave (died at the age of twelve 
years), and Adolph Johann (who is the youngest of the family). Mr. 
as well as Mrs. Rohrbach were warm friends and patrons of edu- 
cation, and have given their children good advantages. Mr. Rohr- 
bach lost his wife after they had lived together for eighteen years, and 
she now sleeps in Quindaro Cemetery, Wyandotte County, Kas., where 
a handsome monument marks her last resting place. He is a Demo- 
crat in politics, but not a partisan, voting for men of integrity, irre- 
spective of party. His first presidential vote was cast for Abraham 
Lincoln. During the late war he served for three months in the Home 
Guards of Boonville, Mo., during which time he was on scout duty 
and while thus employed was wounded in the right hand and left arm. 
He was brought up in the Lutheran faith and taught to respect all re- 
ligious institutions or institutions tending to develop the good in 
mankind, and has always been a very generous contributor to all such 
enterprises. He expects to make his jaresent place his permanent 
home, where he is surrounded by his dutiful and affectionate children. 
Dr. J. P. Root (deceased) was born in Greenwich, Mass., April 23, 
1826, and his early training was received from parents whose Puritan 
lineage had made them thoroughly conversant with the best and purest 
Christian traits. At an early day he chose the medical profession as 

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his calling through life, and he devoted his unbending energies in that 
direction, his studies being pursued in New York City, where he 
afterward graduated from Berkshire Medical College. He soon after 
located at New Hartford, Conn., and was afterward elected on the 
Whig ticket to the State Legislature, serving out his term of ofiSce 
with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. About 
this time the excitement over Kansas, then a Territor}-, stirred up the 
people of that locality to a wonderful degree, and when a colony was 
formed to emigrate to this Territory Dr. Root joined it, and came 
thither also, and located at Wabaunsee in the spring of 1856. He 
immediatel}' identilied himself with the Free Soil party, and soon won 
the reputation of being one of the ablest exponents of the cause. In 
1857 he came to Wyandotte, and was almost immediately chosen a 
member of the Territorial Senate, for his fame as a man of brilliant in- 
tellect and unswerving honesty had preceded him, and he was elected 
president of that body. On the adoption of the WVandotte Constitu- 
tion he was made lieutenent-governor of the State, a position he con- 
tinued to fill until 1861. Upon the bursting of the war cloud, which 
had so long menaced the country, Dr. Root volunteered his services 
in defense of the old flag, and served throughout the war, as surgeon 
of the Second Kansas Cavalry. After the close of hostilities he re- 
sumed the practice of his profession at Wyandotte, and upon the elec- 
tion of Gen. (Irant to the presidency he received the appointment of 
minister plenipotentiary to Chili, South America, a position he filled 
for three years, with credit to himself and country, and signally dis- 
tinguished himself iluring the small pox epidemic in that coimtry by 
his untiring efforts to mitigate the evil. His devotion was appreciated 
by the Chilians, and an honorary, degree from the Medical University 
at Santiago was conferred upon him and he was presented with a gold 
medal. In 1873 he once more resumed his practice in Wyandotte, 
Kas., but in 1877 removed to Clifton Springs, N. Y., and entered the 
Sanitarium at that place as one of the physicians, but this work proving 
too confining and desiring to end his days in Kansas, led him to move 
back to Wyandotte in 1879, where he resided until death called him 
home Jul}' 20, 1885. The last time that he appeared in politics was 
as a delegate to the National Republican Convention, held in Chicago 
in 1884. In his profession he took a high position, and for three 
years he was surgeon -general of the State, and was the first president 
of the State Medical Society, and at the time of his death was presi- 
dent of the Eastern Kansas Medical Society and health officer of Wv- 



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andotte County. During his long years of practice he was known to 
be generous in the extreme, and not only did he lavish his skill and 
talent on the poor who applied to him for medical aid, but he often 
supplied them with the necessaries of life, his purse being ever at the 
disposal of the needy and distressed. These kindly and generous 
actions alone would cause his name to be held in grateful remembrance 
by all, had not his active life connected his name with nearly every 
public movement since Kansas became a Territory. He was a member 
of the G. A. R., a Royal Arch Mason, and had been a life-long mem- 
ber of the Congregational Church. He was married at Greenwich, 
Mass., in 1855, to Miss Frances E. Alden, and by her became the 
father of five children. 

Dr. J. P. Root, a leading dentist of Kansas City, Kas., was the 
fourth child in his parents' family, reference to whom is made in the 
sketch immediately preceding this. He was born in this city March 
21, 1862, and with the exception of three years spent at Santiago, 
Chili, while his father was minister to that place, and three years 
spent in the State of New York later on, he has resided in this city all 
his life. He graduated from the high school of Geneva, N. Y. , in 
1879, and shortly afterward began the study of dentistry at Water- 
town, N. Y., his dental education being finished in the Kansas City 
Dental College, from which institution he was graduated in March, 1882. 
Ever since that time he has been practicing his profession in Kansas 
City, and has already become well and favorably known. He pos- 
sesses many of his worthy father's characteristics, and gives every 
promise of becoming eminent in his profession. He is a member of 
the A. F. & A. M. , the A. O. XJ. W., and in connection with his pro- 
fession belongs to the Missouri State Dental Society, the Kansas State 
Dental Society and the Kansas City Dental Club. Like his father, 
he is a stanch Republican in his political views, and for three years he 
was clerk of the Board of Education. His marriage, which took place 
in 1884, was to Miss Kate N. Wait, of this city, by whom he has two 
children: Burr and Paul, aged respectively four and two years. 

Herrmann Rotert is a prominent and honored citizen of Kansas City, 
Kas., and is a native German, his birth occurring in Hanover on April 
14, 1825, coming in 1837 with his parents, Frederick and Mary (Mil- 
lei-) Rotert, to America, settling first in St. Louis, Mo. , moving some 
three or four years later to Franklin County, of the same State, and 
there resided on a farm until 1857. The family then went to La Sueur, 
La Sueur County, Minn. , but while on the way to that place the mother 









sickened, and three days after reaching that town she passed away, 
her husband surviving her only about three months, their deaths, 
therefore, occurring in 1S57. The mother had been married twice, 
bearing her first husband two children— a son and daughter — the for- 
mer of whom now resides in Allegheny, Penn. , and the latter in Indiana. 
Her union with Mr. Eotert resulted in the birth of three sons: John 
Henry (deceased), Herrmann and Frederick William. The youngest 
son is now in St Paul, Minn. Herrmann Rotert was given the ad- 
vantages of the common sclTools in his youth, and iu connection with 
this he followed the occupation of farming. He was married in 
Franklin County, Mo., in the fall of 1850 to Miss Amelia Myer, a 
daughter of Frederick \V. Myer, a native German. When two or 
three years of age she was brought to this country by her parents. 
A year or two after their marriage Mr. Eotert went back to Minne- 
sota, and purchased a farm near La Siieur, and though he resided in 
the town, he gave his attention to the cultivation of his land. In 
1871 he sold his farm and town property there and came to Kansas 
Oitv, Kas., where he has resided ever since. During the first eight 
years of his residence here he was employed as a car repairer, first 
for the Kansas Pacific, and later for the Union Pacific Railroad. In 
1880 he purchased from Henry Horstman a grocery store on the corner 
of Everett and Fifth Streets, and this establishment has received the 
major part of his attention ever since. In 1883 he erected a good 
two-story brick block on the corner of Fifth Street and Washington 
Avenue, which is 50x70 feet, and comprises two good store rooms, 
in the rear of which, fronting on Fifth Street, he erected at the same 
time a first-class feed store, it being built of brick and stone, the 
dimensions being 20x40 feet. In one of the store rooms, which is 
rented out, is conducted a meat-market, and in the other Mr. Ro- 
tert has his groceries. It is one of the most complete establish- 
ments of the kind in the city, and has a very large and paying pa- 
tronao-e. His union resulted in the birth of five children: Mary Ann 
(born March U, 1855, and died November 3, 1872), Henry Phillips 
(born January 5, 1859), Frederick William (born November 29. 1800|, 
John Amos (born September 23, 1864), and Ida Charlotte (born April 
5, 1868). The eldest son is married. The mother of these children 
died on December 6, 1872, and on March 19, 1873, Mr. Rotert was 
married to Mrs. Frieda Potthast, who has borne him three children, 
as follows: Emma Matilda (born July 29, 1876), Lillie (born May 
30, 1880), and Hattie (born August 28, 1881). Mrs. Rotert was born 



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792 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



in Prussia July 28, 1838, daughter of Frederick Korstrup, her mother 
dying when she was four years old. She came to America with her 
father and step mother at the age of fourteen, and grew to woman- 
hood in St. Louis, Mo. She was married. May IS, 1864, to Christian 
Potthast, by whom she had two children: Amelia (born June 28, 1865, 
and died September 7, 18G6), and Christian (born December 7, 1866). 
Mr. Potthast was drowned in Dickinson County, Kas. , June 13, 1866. 
Ever since embarking in the grocery business, Mr. Kotert has had as 
partners his three sons — Henry P. , Frederick W. and John Amos, 
also his step- son, Christian Potthast. He occupies a handsome resi- 
dence at No. 548 Washington Avenue, which has been erected since 
1886, and besides this he owns other valuable residence property in 
the city, and the greater part of his attention is given to the man- 
agement of his real estate, his store being left to the management 
of his sons. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and would be valuable additions to any city. 

T. C. Russell, whose sketch now claims attention, was born 
on December 23, 1850, being the youngest son of the twelve children 
born to his parents, William and Hannah (Wilson) Eussell, natives of 
Pennsylvania. The father dying while Thomas was quite young, he 
naturally had much to contend with in trying to make for himself a 
career in the busy mercantile world. He spent the years intervening 
between childhood and manhood in his native place, receiving a good 
education in the common schools, and afterward graduated from the 
Commercial College, at Pittsburgh. Mr. Russell's first choice in se- 
lecting a profession was the life insurance business, but when he had 
mastered the same, and was beginning to succeed, he was forced to 
give it up, owing to throat trouble that rendered so much talking 
painful to him. He next turned his attention to learning the carpen- 
ter trade in Pittsburgh, continuing to work in that line through the past 
twenty years, and in the meantime meeting with marked success. At 
the present writing he numbers among the prominent contractors and 
builders in Kansas City, Kas., and has also worked considerable in 
the adjoining city — Kansas City, Mo. Among the buildings that be- 
speak his praise, and that he has built since coming here from Pitts- 
burgh, in the year 1878, are the Swedish Baptist, German Methodist 
Episcopal Churches in this city, and the handsome business block on 
the Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, Mo. He has also built many 
handsome private residences in both cities, accumulating thus a com- 
fortable fortune, and winning the confidence of all who know him. 



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Mr. Russell was, on January 4. united in matrimonial bonds with Miss 
Teresa Johnson, daughter of Robert and Isabella Johnsoa, natives 
of Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born three children, 
viz. : Twila May, Nellie Blanch and Lillian Irene. The subject of 
the sketch is in sympathy with the Republican party in politics, though 
too much occupied to give a great amount of attention to political 
matters. He is a charter member of the A. O. U. W. , and belongs 
to the Wide Awake Lodge No. 153, K. of P., also of U. R., Wyan- 
dotte Division No. 10. Thus, as the world grows older, and more 
and more progressive, we see on every side proof of the fact that the 
•• self-made " men are often the most jirosperous and highly esteemed, 
and from this class the leading men of our country have been taken. 
H. H. Ryus is a man whose j)resent substantial position in life has 
been attained entirely through his own perseverance, and the facts con- 
nected with his operations and their results show what a per.son with 
courage and enlightened views can accomplish. His reputation for 
honesty and integrity have been tried and not found wanting; his 
financial ability has been more than once tested, but never without 
credit to himself; his social qualities are well known and appreciated, 
and he has hosts of friends whose confidence and esteem are his high- 
est eulogium. He was born in Schuyler County, N. Y,, in 1840, and 
after receiving a common-school education in that State, he came with 
his parents to Kansas, and settled in Osage County, where he farmed 
for a short period, abandoning that occupation on account of drought 
shortly after. He then began building houses on the Sac and Fox In- 
dian lands for Indians, after which he became connected with the 
Santa Fe Stage Company, and for two years drove stage between Fort 
Larned, Kas.. and Fort Reno, Indian Ter. . a distance of twenty-four 
miles, after which he was promoted to the position of conductor, and 
made one trip per month from Kansas City, Mo., to Santa Fe, and 
diiring this time had many hard fights with the Indians. At the end 
of this time he accepted a position with Moon, Mitchell & Co., in a 
settler's store at Fort Union, but at the end of one year he gave up this 
position to take a herd of sheep from Mexico 1,150 miles north into 
the mountains, and this distance was covered in two months and nine- 
teen days. He remained in the mountains until the fall, then went to 
Salt Lake, and in 1806 returned to Wyandotte County, Kas. From 
that time until 1871 he was engaged in saw milling seven miles west 
of Wyandotte, and during this time made considerable money, after 
which he began building houses in Wyandotte, and was chosen to the 



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794 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



positiou of constable and deputy sheriff, after some time, a position he 
hehl for four years. At the end of this time he was elected sheriff of the 
county, serving two terms with satisfaction to all, then built a large 
corn and feed mill, and also engaged in the brick business with O. K. 
Serviss. He was also one of the chief organizers of the Kansas City & 
Wyandotte Dry Pressed Brick Company, and for a considerable period 
he and his partner, Maj. Drought, did nearly all the contracting and 
building done in this city, furnishing all the brick and lime for the Ar- 
mourdale Packing Company, and selling in all over a million pressed 
brick. They also built the Desiccating & Refining Works, the entire 
time spent by them in contracting being four years. In 18S'2 Mr. Ryus 
built the Eyus Hotel, and in 1879 erected the Ryus Planing Mills, which 
he operated until June, 1890, when the establishment caught fire and 
burned down, the loss being $24,000. He managed the Ryus Hotel 
for four years in connection with his planing-mill and the real estate 
business, and as a man of enterprise and industry he has become well 
known throughout this section of the country. His experience has been 
quite varied, and during the sixty five times that he crossed the plains, 
he met with numerous thrilling experiences, and tells many amusing 
and interesting stories connected therewith. He was married in Kan- 
sas City, Kas. , in 1867, to Miss Sarah E. Seward, who was born in 
Clark County, Ohio, in 1836, and to them have been born two chil- 
dren: Ida and M. Charles. Mr. Ryus' parents, David and Mohaebel 
(Stanton) Eyus, were born in New York, the mother being a relative 
of Secretary Stanton. The father was a cooper and painter by trade, 
and made his home in his native State until 1860, when he came to 
Kansas, and here passed fi'om life in 1884. The mother is still living 
and is seventy four years old. The paternal grandfather was born in 
Europe, and came to America, taking part in the War of 1812. The 
mother's mother lived to be ninety-two years old. Mr. Eyus is a Re- 
publican in his political views, and being a man of enterprise, he is 
now erecting a planing-mill to take the place of the one burned down. 
His daughter is a highly accomplished young lady, and is now a teach- 
er in the Kirkwood School. 

Herman H. Schaberg is a gentleman who is well known to all close- 
ly associated with the great plant of The Kej'stone Iron Works, and is 
the shipper of all the supplies and manufactured products of this large 
plant. He is a native of The Hague, Holland, the residence of the 
royal family of Holland. His birth occurred on March 11, 1855, 
and he was the seventh in order of birth of eight children, only three 



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of whom he has any history of: Cato (is a resident of The Hai^ue. 
makes her home with her parents, and is a teacher of note; she is 
quite wealthy), Henrietta (resides also in The Hague, and is the 
wife of Prof. John De Visser Smits, who was also a teacher of high 
grade), John (was a graduate from The Gymnasium, was thoroughly 
educated, and died at the age of eighteen years). The father of these 
children is still living. He is a high-grade teacher, and has been 
principal of a high school for forty-seven years. He is at present 
principal of the same school, and is seventy-three years of age. The 
mother is a native of Holland, and is still living. They will hold their 
golden wedding the same time as their golden jubilee of his school — 
May 15, 1894. Herman H. Schaberg obtained his excellent training 
in his fathers school, and was tvitor in the same for one year. He is a 
well-posted gentleman, has noble aspirations, and is a friend of all good 
educational training. He started out for himself as a cabin-boy on a 
voyage to the East Indies, and during this long and tempestuous voy- 
age he experienced many thrilling incidents which would fill a volume. 
He landed at Batavia, and set sail for home from the port of Soerabaja. 
On the home voyage around Cape Good Hope the vessel encountered 
some terrible sea storms, but safely weathered them all. Mr. Scha- 
berg remained upon the ocean until twenty one years of age and made 
nine voyages, visiting the distant countries of Australia, China, India, 
Japan, South Sea Islands and West Indies, visited the important ports 
of Buenos Ayres, Valparaiso, and was also along the cost of Venezue- 
la. He also visited St. Helena, the grave of the exiled Napoleon, and 
visited the Mediterranean coasts of France, Spain, Italy, North Africa, 
through the Strait of Dardanelles, Sea of Marmora, Bosphorus Strait, 
and the Black Sea to Odessa, Russia. Mr. Schaberg has graduated 
in the high school of navigation, and has many remarkable experi- 
ences. Besides his own language he speaks the Flemish or Belgian 
tongue, French, German, English, Malay. Scandinavian. Spanish and 
Italian languages, and is one of the greatest linguists to be found. He 
emigrated to America in 1877, located iirst in the city of Chicago, and 
remained there until 1884 as book keeper most of the time. He came 
to Kansas City, Kas., in the last-named year, engaged with the Key- 
stone Iron Works, and after the death of Mr. Jarboe was promoted to 
the important and trusted position of shipping agent or clerk. He 
was married on September 5, 1881, to Miss Elizabeth Farrell, a native 
of Canada, and a teacher in the Canadian schools. They are the par- 
ents of five children — two sons and three daughters- John H. (is now 

1— - ^f 



796 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



eight years of age), William, and Margaret (twins, aged seven years), 
Margaret died at the age of five weeks), Henrietta (died at the age of 
nine months), and Elizabeth (died in infancy). Mr. and Mrs. Seha- 
berg have been residents of Kansas City, Kas. , ever since Mr. Scha- 
berg entered the Keystone Iron Works, and expect to make that city 
their home. There Mr. Sehaberg can always secure a lucrative posi- 
tion on account of his excellent business ability. 

John Schlagenhauf is one of the well-to-do farmers of Wyandotte, 
County, Kas., and since 1868 has resided on the farm of sixty two and 
one half acres near Kansas City. He was boro in Wirtemburg, Ger- 
many, on September 4, 1834, being the eldest of a family of five chil- 
dren born to his parents, his brothers and .sisters being as follows: 
Martin (who still resides in his native land). Christian (a miller by 
trade), Mary and Kosina, all residents of Germany. The father of 
these children was a German, and was a fairly prosperous tiller of the 
soil. John Schlagenhauf attended the schools of his native land for 
eight years, and at the age of twenty years commenced life for himself, 
his capital at that time being very meager indeed. In the spring of 
1854 he determined to seek his fortune in America, and after reaching 
New York City, went direct to Ohio, where he followed the occupation 
of farming until 1868, since which time he has been a worthy resident 
of Wyandotte County, and one of the first farmers of this section, a 
calling to which he was reared. He was married on March 2, 1862, to 
Miss Adaline Reimel, a native of Alsace, Germany, her education be- 
ing received in the schools of " Der Faterland," and in the State of 
Ohio. To them two daughters were born: Rosa T. (the wife of J. A. 
Wetherla), and Mary (who is an intelligent and aimable young lady 
and resides with her parents). Since coming to this country Mr. Schla- 
genhauf has affiliated with the Democrat party, and his fir.st vote was 
cast for Stephen A. Douglas for the presidency. He possesses a benev- 
olent and kindly disposition, and although he is prudent in the ex- 
penditure of money, he is not at all niggardly. Upon coming to this 
county he purchased land on which some slight improvement had 
been made, and by industry and intelligence he now has one of the 
finest farms in this section of the country, exceptionally well improved by 
buildings, fences, etc., and situated within three miles of Kansas City. 
He and his wife are exceptionally intelligent and refined people, and 
are perfectly satisfied to spend the remainder of their days on their 
present farm. 

Jacob B. Schmidt is one of the substantial men of Wyandotte 



^^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



I'r, 



County, Kas., aiul is interested iu furmiug hu<I burticulture. He was 
boru in Wirtemburg, Germany, September 21, 1827, and was the 
sixth of ten children, seven of whom are living: Barbara (who is 
married, and residing on a farm in Ohio), John (who is married, and 
is following shoemaking in Germany), Christ (who is a weaver in Ger- 
many), Martin (a resident of Germany), Jacob B., and George (who 
is a gardener of Wyandotte County, Kas). Both parents were native 
Germans, and are now deceased, the father having been a miller by 
trade. Jacob B. Schmidt was given a good early educati n, as are all 
German lads, and at the age of twenty two years he left his native 
land to seek a homo in America, and on August 4, 1851, reached the 
city of Xew York. He went soon after to Pennsylvania, where he 
farmed for four years, then went to Ohio, and followed the same occu- 
pation there for nine years, after which, in 1801), he came to Kansas, 
the country at that time being heavily covered with timber and thickly 
inhabited by Indians, the Wyandotte tribe being very numerous at that 
time. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Kleiber, who was reared and 
educated ia Germany, and to them three childien have been born: 
Sarah (wife of John Studt, a butcher of Wyandotte County), Jacob 
(married to Miss Pearl Reams, and is business manager of a general 
mercantile store in Kansas City, Mo.), and Mary (wife of Martin 
Seemann, who is a grocer). Since reaching mature years, or 
since his arrival in this country, Mr. Schmidt has upheld the princi- 
ples of Democracy, but is not an active partisan. He and his wife are 
members of the German Lutheran Church at Wyandotte, Kas., and 
have been liberal with their means in the support of worthy enterprises. 
Mr. Schmidt has an exceptionally valuable little fruit and vegetable 
farm of twenty-five acres, on which he raises apples, x^eaches, cherries, 
apricots, mulberries, plums, grapes and the small fruits, his income 
from the sale of which amounts to a handsome annual sum. His farm 
is in the l)est possible condition, and he was at one time offered $800 
per acre for the tract (but the party afterward failed to keep his agree- 
ment), as it lies within two miles of the city limits, and is constantly 
increasing in value. Their residence is commodious and substantial, 
and Mr. Schmidt and his wife have the satisfaction of knowing that it 
has been earned by their own efforts. 

Benjamin Schnierle is the present clerk of Kansas City, Kas., and 
his long and extensive experience in public affairs have rendered his serv- 
ices especially useful to the city, and his ability and fitness for his present 
position are generally recognized. He was boru in Louisville, Ky., 



Vis 



Ai 




^ 



October 10, 1854, bat spent the greater part of his early life iu the 
Western States, his parents. Rev. M. and C. M. Sehnierle, being resi- 
dents of Edwardsville, 111. His early education was acquired iu the 
public schools and Central Wesleyan College, and from this latter in 
stitution was graduated, at the early age of eighteen years, after 
which he devoted his attention to pedagogic work and to the study of 
law. He has resided in Wyandotte County, more or less, ever since 
1867, and has been permanently located here since 1880. In that 
year he was appointed deputy county treasurer, a position he ably 
tilled, iintil 1884, and the following four years served in the capacity 
of county treasurer. Since the month of April, 1889, he has held his 
present position, his term closing in April, 1891. His marriage took 
place May 29, 1883, his wife being Miss Sadie E. McCormick, who 
died February 5, 1887, leaving two children — a sou and daughter. 
Mr. Sehnierle is an enthusiastic supporter of Republican principles, 
and in discharging the duties of the offices to which he has been aji- 
pointed he has proved capable, popular and courteous. He has al- 
ways been found willing to aid an enterprise which tends to the inter- 
ests of his adopted county, and is universally esteemed by his fellow 
citizens. 

Christian Schoeller, Jr., wholesale and retail butcher and retail 
dealer in country produce, owes his nativity to Kansas City, Mo., 
where his birth occurred, January 4, 1863. He is the son of Chris 
tian and Anna (Windisch) Schoeller, Sr., natives of Germany. The 
father came to the United States in 1856, and to Kansas City, Mo., in 

1858, when single, and was married to Anna Windisch August 27, 

1859. They lived, up to 1889, in Kansas City, Mo., since which time 
their home has been in Kosedale, Kas. , with our subject. The 
senior Schoeller is a butcher by trade, and a member of the German 
Druids Lodge, and G. A. R., Sheild's Post No. 15. In politics he is 
a Republican. During the late war he served in the Union army, en- 
listing, June 28, 1861, in the Thirteenth Regiment Missouri Cavalry, 
aud was mustered out, as corporal, February 2, 1862. He re-enlisted 
in the Seventy-seventh Regiment Missouri Militia, as second lieutenant 
of Company B, and served until the end of the war, in 1865. Christian 
Schoeller, Jr., received his education in Kansas City, Mo., there 
learning the butcher's business, and came to Rosedale July 28, 1886. 
He was engaged in running a wholesale wagon, in Kansas City, Mo. , and 
doing his butchering in Rosedale, Kas., where he lived, and in March, 
1888, he also engaged in the retail meat and vegetable market bnsi- 






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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



7!)0 



ness. By his energy aud ability be has established a permanent tiade, 
and has the patronage of the best people, handling nothing bnt su 
perior articles. On July '28, 18S6, he was married to Miss Alvena 
Boersch, daughter of Edwin aud Maria Boersoh. Miss Boersch was 
born August 28, ISGO, in Davenport, Iowa, and came to Kansas City, 
Mo., in 1882, and was there married. They have since been living 
in Rosedale, Kas., where to them were born two children: Laura 
and Bertha. Laura was born July 16, 1887, and Bertha March 7, 
1889. Mr. Schoeller is a member of the A. O. U. W., and secretary 
of Rosedale Protective Association. He is also treasurer of the German 
Benevolent Lodge of Eosedale and Argentine. In politics he is a 
Democrat. He was elected a councilman last election, and fills that 
position creditably. He is one of the town's most enterprising and 
substantial citizens. He has two fine properties in town, and has 
made it all by his own industry, in the last four years. 

Richard H. Scott is a dealer in general merchandise in Wyandotte 
County, Kas., but was born in Windom County, Vt., April 2t>, 1845, 
the eldest of a family of four children born to the union of Harris 
Scott and Julia M. Cushman, who were also born in that State. The 
father was at first engaged in general trading, but gave particular 
attention to trading in horses, mules cattle and hogs. In 1854 re- 
ports reached him of the rapidly growing West, and so fired his imag- 
ination that he determined to seek his fortrine there, and for some 
time he resided on a farm in Cook County, 111., near the present city 
of Chicago. He was not permitted to enjoy his new home long, and 
one year after leaving Vermont, he died of consumption, leaving, be- 
sides his widow, four small children to mourn their loss. His widow sur 
vived him until 1861. when she, too. passed from life, and was laid 
to rest by the side of her husband. Richard H. Scott was ambitious, 
even in his earliest youth, to become a well-educated man, and to this 
end he applied himself diligently to his studies while in school, and 
was one of a class of thirteen that graduated from the first Cook 
County Normal Institute, it being held in Blue Island. After 
leaving this institution he entered the service of his brother, Lyman 
E., who was engaged in the mercantile business in Waldron, Mo., 
and after remaining with him two years he began learning telegraphy, 
and after becoming familiar with this calling he was given charge of the 
office at Waldron, a position he retained and successfully tilled for 
eight years. He removed to Kansas City, in 1881, but not liking 
that |)lace, he removed to Wyandotte County, Kas., aud settled in 



^'' 



^1 




wbat is now known as Old Maywood, where he remained, his atten- 
tion l)eing given to the general mercantile business, until the Kansas 
City, Missouri & North- Western Raih-oad was completed, and the 
town of Piper organized, when he moved his store and residence thither, 
and here has since made his home. He is doing an excellent business, 
and is handling a line of general merchandise valued at f 1,500, and 
his residence is one of the handsomest in the place. In 1881, he was 
appointed postmaster of Maywood, which office he tilled until Cleve- 
land's administration, when he resigned, but in 1888 he was again ap- 
pointed to the position, and is now discharging his duties to the satis- 
faction of all concerned. September 3, 1800, he married Miss Sarah 
R. , a native of Missouri, and a daughter of William and Elizabeth 
(Tomm) Compston. She was born August 12, 1854, and during the 
trying times of their early settlement in this State, she proved a loving 
wife, and a true helpmate. To them a family of four children was 
born: William H. (born July 27, 1872). Wilson A. (born October 21, 
1875), Estella M. (born in 1879), and Chester A. (born in March, 1881). 
Mr. Scott has been a life long Republican, and has held a number of 
local offices such as township treasurer, clerk, etc. He is a member 
of the A. F. & A. M., and himself and wife belong to the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church. During the war he was a member of the 
Union army, and served in the commissary department, enlisting at 
Chicago, being sworn in at St. Louis. He joined his regiment at 
Devall's Bluff, Ark., and while on duty at that place had the misfor- 
tune to lose his right eye. 

John Schuetz, farmer and fruit grower. Turner, Kas. Mr. Sehuetz 
was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, on October 17, 1834, and is the 
son of John Garhardt Schuetz, a native of Germany. The father was 
reared to manhood in his native country, and there learned the car- 
penter and joiner's trade, which he followed in Virginia after com- 
ing to this country. He was married in the Old Dominion, and left 
his wife with her relatives while he went to Ohio, settling in Wyan- 
dot County. There his wife joined him, <ind they entered a good farm, 
and there reared their family. The father received his final summons 
in that county. John Schuetz was reared in Wyandot County, re- 
maining there until 1861, and then removed to Putnam County, Ohio, 
where he remained two years. Later he returned to his native county, 
but only remained a short time, when he moved to Maryville, Mo. , 
where he tarried eighteen months. From there he moved to Wyan- 
dotte County, Kas., in 1870, and here purchased 100 acres of timber, 



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) "V 



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^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 801 



which he has since improved with an elegant house, baru, good 
orchards, etc. He is turning his attention to fruit-growing, and has a 
tine prospect before him. Mr. Shuetz's marriage was consummated 
on October 16, 1859, with Miss Catherine Wildemood, a native of Sen 
eca County, Ohio, born on November 20, 1839, and the daughter of 
John and Littie (Gilbert) Wildemood. natives of Germany and Mary- 
land, respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Schuetz were born tive children, 
four now living. Mr. Schuetz is a Democrat in politics, and has 
held different local positions of trust. He is a member of Veridus 
Lodge No. 247. I. O. O. F. , and a man universally respected. His 
son, William has a steam-thresher, which he has worked for several 
years. 

Joseph M. Schuetz is a well known farmer and small fruit-grower 
of Wyandotte County, Kas. , and has been a resident of this section 
since 1868, being the owner of seventy-seven and one-half acres of 
fine land, cultivating it as follows: Five to ten acres of potatoes, two 
acres in blacliberries, two in raspberries and two in strawberries, 150 
apple, 100 cherry, 900 peach and fifty plum trees. He has devoted 
his time and attention to this business, and his place indicates to a 
noticeable extent what years of industry, good management and 
superior knowledge, will do toward accumulating a competency. He 
is progressive in his views, and has met with substantial success, which 
all concede is well merited. He was born in the State of Ohio No- 
vember 17, 1846, was reared there, and in 1868 came to Wyandotte 
County. Kas. . which place has since been his home. He was married 
February 4, 1868, his wife, Anna, being the daughter of Gottleib 
Everhart. She was also born in Ohio, January 31, 1861, and 
of three children born to them, two are now living: Milton Elroy, 
and Eva M. May died in early childhood. Mr. Schuetz has always 
supported the men and measures of the Democrat party, and socially 
is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, holding the position of treas- 
urer of his lodge. Although his early educational opportunities were 
somewhat limited he has become a well-informed man by contact with 
the world, and by reading the current items of the day, and is one of 
the public spirited citizens of this section of the country. 

Judge L. L. Sebille, attorney and justice of the peace of Armour- 
dale. Kas. Judge Sebille was originally from Tama County. Iowa, 
where his birth occurred on August 10, 1862, and is the son of A. and 
Pauline (Jacquot) Sebille, natives of France. The parents came to 
America in about IS-IO, settled in Connecticut, and there the fathei' 



T 



Ml:=^ ±:=^t; 




followed his trade that of collier, burning charcoal, etc., for some 
time. He made a trip through several States working at his trade, 
but finally settled down in Tama county, Iowa, where he was en- 
gaged in farming for a number of years. He is now engaged in 
merchandising in Armourdale, having moved there in 1886. To his 
marriage were born seven children — four now living: Joseph, Mary 
and Emily. Judge L. L. Sebille was principally reared in Iowa, and 
supplemented a good college education by attending Drake University, 
at Des Moines, Iowa, where he graduated on June 17, 1886. In 1888 
he came to Osborn, Kas. ,was admitted to the bar, and there practiced his 
profession for a short time. From there he moved to Armourdale and 
was elected justice of the peace in April, 1889. He drafted the bill 
that created an additional justice in 1889, in Kansas City, Kas., and 
was apf)ointed by the governor for a period of about one month, being 
elected to the office at the regular election. He was appointed city 
attorney for Downs, Kas., but served only a short time on account of 
removal. He practices in the courts of Kansas and Missouri, is a 
practical thinker, and a young man well versed in the usages and in- 
tricacies of law. Politically he is a Republican, and socially he is a 
member of the K. of P.. having joined that society in 1885. 

John Seemann is a practical farmer and horticulturist of Wyan- 
dotte County, Kas., but was born in Wirtemburg, Germany, Decem- 
ber 17, 1828, his brothers and sisters being as follows: Martin (a 
resident of Ohio), Christina (who resides in her native land), and 
Agnes (who also resides in Germany). The parents of these children 
were natives of Wirtemburg, the father being a farmer, but both are 
now deceased. John Seemann obtained his early educational training 
in the common schools of Germany, after which he became an appren- 
tice at the tailor's trade, after which he served as a soldier in the Ger- 
man army for seven years, and in 1854 emigrated to America, landing 
at New York City, in the month of March, of that year. From this 
place he went to Warren County, Ohio, where he engaged in tailoring 
for fifteen years, and was married in Montgomery County, of that 
State on March, 17, 1870, to Miss Barbara Voegele, a native of Ger 
many, who received her education in the German language in her 
native land and in Maryland, in the English. Soon after their mar- 
riage they came to Wyandotte County, Kas., where they purchased 
thirty acres of land at |45 per acre, from an Indian by the name of 
" White Crow," the land at that time being heavily covered with tim- 
ber. He has a fine fruit farm comprising twenty-seven and a half 






riV 



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WVANDOTTE COUNTV. 803 



acres, aud raises on the same, apples, peaches, cherries, pears, quinces, 
Siberian crabs, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants ami 
grapes. This land is situated within two miles of Kansas City, and 
as it is admirably kept, it is very valuable, and although he considers 
it worth $800 per acre, it gives every promise of rapidly increasing in 
value. His house and barns are neat and comfortable, and here they 
wish to spend the rest of their days with their children whose names 
are as follows: John A. (an intelligent young man of nineteen), George 
C. (aged sixteen), and William M. (aged thirteen). J\Ir. Seemann is 
a Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas, 
and he aud his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church. 
Martin Seemann, a leading .retail grocer, and a worthy resident of 
Kansas City. Kas., was born in Warren County, Ohio, December 3, 
1855, he being a sou of Martin and Anna Catherine (Ruoff) Seemann, 
who were born in Wirtemburg, Germany, but who came to America 
while still single, and were married in Warren County, Ohio, there 
becoming the parents of eight children, seven of whom are now living; 
Martin, John (who died in childhood), Mary, Anna B., George J. , Anna 
Catherine, Christina aiid Jacob, '^he parents of these children are 
both living, their home now being in Butler County, Ohio, where the 
father is following farming. When the subject of this sketch was ten 
years old his parents removed to Butler County, Ohio, and during his 
early life he labored upon his father's farm, in slimmer, and attended 
the district school in winter, thereby receiving a fair education. Upon 
reaching manhood, he took up the duties of life for himself, and after 
working by the month on a farm in Montgomery County, Ohio, for one 
season, he began farming for himself, and one year was devoted to the 
raising of tobacco. He was then engaged in the same pursuit for three 
seasons, in Warren County, Ohio, after which he again worked two 
seasons as a farm hand, in Butler County. In the fall of 1885 he em 
igrated to Wyandotte County, Kas., for the purpose of visiting his 
uncle, John Seemann, a well-to-do farmer residing some miles west of 
this city, and returned home at the end of a few weeks. However, he 
had been much pleased with the country here, and Ire returned in March. 
1886, with the intention of making this his future abiding place. Upon 
locating in Kansas City he entered the employ of Theodore Teepen, a 
successful grocer of this place, and remained with him for about one 
year and eight months, being his principal clerk. The winter of 1887 
-88 he sj)ent at the home of his uncle, mentioned above, and in the 
spring of the latter year he began clerking for Albert Schmitz. with 



^ 




^H. 



whom be remained for eight months. He then made his parents in 
Ohio a visit, returning to Kansas in October, 1888, and the following 
December he opened a grocery establishment of his own, at No. 84nJ 
Minnesota Avenue, and has conducted a iirst-class grocery at that point 
ever since. By his courteous and accommodating manner, and his de- 
sire to satisfy the public, he has built up a good patronage, and has 
acquired a large circle of friends. His marriage to Miss Mary Schmidt 
was consummated September 19, 1889, she being a daughter of Jacob 
Schmidt. Mr. Seemann is a self made man, and the property he now 
owns, has been made by his own exertions. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the German Lutheran Church, and rank among that class of 
citizens that go to make Kansas City the de.sirable place of residence 
that it is. Mr. Seemann' s store is well stocked with fresh groceries, 
and he commands a large patronage, as he is recognized as an honor- 
able man of business. He also deals in flour and feed. 

O. K. Serviss, postmaster of Kansas City, Kas. , the subject of this 
sketch, needs no introduction to the people of Kansas City and vicin- 
ity. He was born in New Carlisle, Clark County, Ohio, December 9, 
1836, and was educated in his native town. He came West in 1856, 
and settled in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he became engaged in 
mercantile pursuits, and afterward served two years as undersheriff 
of the county. On the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion he 
took an active part in organizing the boys in blue, and was second 
lieutenant of the Mount Pleasant Mounted Infantry, organized for the 
protection of the State border. In 1864 and 1865 he was with the 
First Iowa Cavalry during many of their trying engagements in Mis- 
souri and Arkansas. In 1866 he removed to Kansas City, Mo., where 
he engaged in business in a two-story frame building, which formerly 
stood where the Times Building now stands, and in April, 1867, came 
across the line to Kansas City (then Wyandotte), Kas., where he has 
since taken an active part in the building up of the metropolis of 
Kansas. He was many years in the dry goods and grocery trade, was 
two years in the city council, three terms as city treasurer, and two 
terms in the sheriff's office as undersheriff, and served five years as 
chief of police. He assumed the duties of postmaster April 22, 1889, 
and by constant attei.dance to the duties and responsibilities of the 
office has given the best of satisfaction to its patrons and the depart- 
ment. Mr. Serviss has been twice married, his first wife, Maria V. 
Forgy, to whom he was married at New Waverly, Ind., in the year 
1857, died in 1871. leaving two children, Edgar F. (now assistant 



;^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 805 f 



postmaster), and Clara A. (wife of G. N. Curtis, agent of the Union 
Pacific Railway Company, Kansas City, Mo.). He was married to bis 
present wife, Ella A. Haskell, in 1873, at Streator, 111., who bore him 
one child, William H. 

S. S. Sharpe, commissioner, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Sharjje, one 
of the leading and enterprising citizens of Kansas City, Kas., was 
reared and educated in the State of New York. For about ten years 
he was a workman on the bridges of the New York & Erie Railroad, 
and in 1863 he came to Kansas City, Kas., to work on the Union Pa- 
cific Railroad, and the first work on this road was accomplished by 
him. He was superintendent of construction of the road from Kansas 
City to Lawrence, and finished it all up ready for use. After this he 
engaged in contracting, nnder Shnmaker. Miller & Co., and later he 
was a member of Sharpe, Shaw & Co., contractors on the grade out to 
Fort Wallace, and all along the line. They finished up that road abont 
1868, and built sixty miles of the Missouri, Kansas & Topeka road, 
from Junction City to Emporia. Sharpe & Shaw built the Council 
Bluffs road from Kansas City to Parkville, and then built forty-five 
miles of the Arkansas Central road out from Helena, Ark. After this 
they did a great deal of grading, and laid the track from Ozark to 
Fort Smith. Later they went to Arkansas City, and built about nine 
miles of road across the overflow; then went to Colorado, where they 
worked on the road from Canon City to Leadville. Mr. Sharpe re- 
turned then to Kansas City, and, with his partner, organized the Kan- 
sas City Paving & Constructing Company. They have done much 
work in Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Sharpe spent 
four years in the San Juan mining country. He made considerable in 
vestments, which are not developed. Brick-paving, macadamizing and 
all general constructing are in his line of business. He was in the 
United States' employ, in the railroad department, and was at Norfolk 
region in the spring of 1862-63. He was elected county commissioner 
in the fall of 1887, and still holds that position. In his political prin- 
ciples he is Democratic. He was married in Elmira, N. Y., to Miss 
Mariah L. Falls, and they have three children: Nellie, Stephen B. 
and Louisa. Mr. Sharpe is a son of Liberty and Mary (Gray) Sharpe, 
both natives of Connecticut. Sharpe is a Scotch name, and the 
grandfather came from Scotland. The father was a carpenter and 
builder. Socially, our subject is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and 
A. O. U. W. 

Dr. E. Sheldon, physician and surgeon, Armourdale. Kas. The 

, «> - ^^ » - 






806 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



name of Sheldon is one of the most influential in x^Lrmourdale, and one 
of the most respected by this community. Dr. Sheldon was born in 
the town of Nortbfield, Washington County, Vt. , on January 31, 1844, 
and is a son of Samuel R. and Malintha M (Churchill) Sheldon, natives 
also of the Green Mountain State. The ancestry of this family dates 
back to England and France, and they were among the first settlers of 
Vermont. The paternal grandfather was a Methodist minister, and 
he and his wife died in Vermont. The great-grandfather on this side 
was a major-general in the Revolutionary War. The maternal grand- 
father, Isaac Churchill, was first lieutenant in the War of 1812, of 
Company D, First Vermont Militia. He was a farmer by profession. 
Samuel R. Sheldon was a sturdy son of the soil, and during the Mexi- 
can War he was captain of the First Vermont Battery, Field Artillery. 
He emigrated to Illinois in 1848, located in Kane County, and there 
his death occurred in 1887. The mother is yet living. Dr. E. Shel- 
don, the eldest of seven children, five of whom are living, was early 
initiated into the duties of the farm, and received his education in 
Kane County, 111. At the breaking out of the war, and when only 
seventeen years of age, he enlisted in Company A, Fifty-second Illi- 
nois Volunteers, and served over four years. He received a gunshot 
wound at Pittsburg Landing, second battle of Corinth, and was in 
all the principal engagements of the Western army, having a very 
rough experience, which he dislikes to talk about. After the close of 
service the Doctor returned home and began the study of medicine, 
working in the meantime to make money enough to carry him through. 
He was successful and graduated at Bennett Medical College, Chicago, 
in 1878. He first put out his shingle at Norton, Kas., but in 1881 he 
came to Armourdale, where he is now the oldest practitioner in the 
city. He has built up a tine practice, and is cut out for his chosen 
profession, which has been amply shown by his flattering success, 
since residing in this city. When he first came here there were but 
seventeen houses in Armourdale, now Kansas City, and he has been a 
witness to the rapid growth. He was married in 1876 to Miss Ellen 
A. Sabin. The Doctor is a representative citizen and a public spirited 
man. He was a member of the first school board, and made a hard 
fight to get their school house. 

Morris Sherman, deceased. This gentleman, who was one of the 
county's most enterprising men, and much esteemed citizens, was born 
in Rockland, Me., and died in this county March 9, 1881, being at that 
time fifty-four years of age. His boyhood days, until he was about 



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J'- 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 807 



eighteen yeaia of age, were spent in his native State, where he learned 
the carriage- maker's trade. He then left Maine and went to New 
York City, where he followed contracting and building, and where he 
was a member of the "Bloody Six" fire company. His many experi- 
ences while a member of this company, he was wont to relate to his 
children. Upon leaving New York, he went to Chicago, where he re- 
mained but a short time, and then came up the Missouri Eiver to 
Qnindaro, on the " Polar Star." He here followed his trade for ten 
years, and then sold out his business, bought land, and turned his 
attention to agricultural pursuits. He located about a mile and a 
half north and west of Quindaro, in May, 1857, on land that he had 
purchased from the Indians, and which is now owned by his widow 
and children, and was here during the latter part of the Border War. 
He enlisted in the State Militia, and was on guard duty at the ferry 
across the Missouri River at Parkville. During the early days of 
Quindaro, he was township constable, and in polities he was a Demo- 
crat of the Jacksonian type. While a resident of New York City he 
was married to Miss Christina Forbes, and they reared a family of 
five children— two sons and three <laughters: Charles J. (who died 
August 10, 1888, at the age of thirty-three years), Roger E., Helen 
(wife of Henry Grafke, who is a farmer of this township), Susan (wife 
of Charles Greib. agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, at Spring- 
field, Neb.), and Blanche, who died in 1878, at the age of seven years). 
Roger E., the second son, is living with his mother on a farm adjoin- 
ing the old homestead. He was born on October 1, 1855, on Staten 
Island, N. Y., and when not quite two years of age, came with his 
father to Wyandotte County. He justly claims the title of one of the old- 
est citizens of the county, and his early life was spent on the farm, where 
he became thoroughly familiar with the duties of the same. After 
the death of the father, Roger assumed control of the home place, and 
has remained on it ever since, with the exception of about one year 
spent in Colorado. He is the owner of about eighty-five acres in cul- 
tivation, exclusive of the grounds about the house, and he devotes his 
attention to the raising of grain and stock. He is a Master Mason, 
White (Jhnrch Lodge, and in politics a Democrat, always voting that 
way. 

Dr. S. S. Shively, j^hysiciau and surgeon, Armourdale, Kas. The 
parents of this pojinlar and very successful physician, John and Mar- 
garet (Myers) Shively, were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German 
descent. The great grandfather was born in Germany, and was an 



v]« — ^ 



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^ 



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early emigraut to the Keystone State. The paternal grandfather was 
born in Pennsylvania. John Shively, father of our subject, followed 
agricultural pursuits all his life, and died in Indiana in 1866. The 
mother had died the year previous. To their marriage were born 
thirteen children. Dr. S. S. Shively owes his nativity to Stark County, 
Ohio, where he was born on February 28, 1839, and remained in his 
native State, where he received a common-school education, until four- 
teen years of age. From there he went to Indiana, settled in St. Jo- 
seph County, where he remained for some time. He early evinced a 
strong liking for the medical profession, and Viegan the study of med- 
icine in 1861, attending lectures in 1864 at the Homoeopathic College 
of Chicago, and practiced until 1880, when he attended Eclectic Med- 
ical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, and received his diploma in 1881. 
After having practiced near Kirksville, Adair County, Mo. , for seven 
years, in 1882 he came to Kansas City, Kas., where he has since re- 
sided. He has a large and constantly increasing practice, and his 
presence is ever welcome at the bedside of the sick or afflicted. He is 
called upon from far and near, and his advice is sought for by thou- 
sands of people. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was 
married in 1862 to Miss Josephine Coriell, a native of Ohio, who bore 
him two children: Lloyd A. and Delbert M., who is a reporter for 
The Kansas City, Mo., Star. Dr. and Mrs. Shively are members 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

John M. Shore needs no special introduction to the citizens of 
Wyandotte Township, Wyandotte County, Kaus., having figured very 
conspicuously in the local history of this County and State. He makes 
his home in Section 19, this Township, and is by occupation, an agri- 
culturist and stock- raiser. He was born in Surry County, N. C, on 
February 2, 1832, and in 1834 his parents emigrated to Missouri. He 
being the fifth in number of the nine children born to his parents. 
These children are Elizabeth, wife of Lemual Hobson, a wealthy brick- 
mason of Odessa, Mo. ; Samuel E., who was a captain in Border War- 
fare, and lived for a long time in Indiana: Robert A., who resides 
in Ray Co., Mo.; William C, who live.s in Cal., going west 
in 1849, to seek his fortune in the gold mines of that State; John 
M., being the next. Mr. Shore's father was a native of N. C, 
and is dead; his mother is from the same State, and now, at the age of 
ninety, resides in Kansas City, Mo. He received his education in an 
old log school-house, and at a later date attended the High Schools. 
In 1869 he married Miss Ella Haynes, who was born in East 






WYANDOTTE CODNTY. 



809 



Tenn., on Sept. 25, 1848, aud received her education at her na- 
tive place, and was a practical teacher in the select schools of Mo., 
prior to her marriage, and still take special interest in edacational 
matters. She has held several offices of trust in public schools, and 
as lecturer in the Grange, in her county. To their marriage have 
been born seven children, viz. , Florence M. ; Edward H. ; Lauren 
Josephus; Lillian Maud; Oscar M. ; Landon Haynes, and Benjamin 
Harrison. Mr. Shore had a prominent part in the Border Warfare, 
enlisted in Prairie City, Kan., in the Ottowa Company, which in com- 
pany with John Brown's company engaged in the battle of "Black 
Jack," on June 2, 1856. Mr. Shore was offered a commission in this 
company, but modestly declined. He was always true to his purpose, 
and a man highly respected by friend and foe alike. His company 
figured in many encounters, and in them all Mr. Shore evinced great 
bravery. He was personally acquainted with "John Brown," and relates 
most interesting stories of this well-known man, and also of other in- 
teresting matters. He enlisted in the late war in the year 1862, and 
was in three years' hard service through the plains. In fact, his ex- 
periences have been numerous and varied, and it would be hard to 
find a more entertaining narrator of "war romance" than the subject of 
this sketch. He and his wife are Republicans and Woman Suffragists, 
and take great pride in supporting their party principles. He has 
been Township Trustee, and School Director for many years, and is a 
citizen in whom the utmost confidence is placed. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Shore are faithful Christians, and contribute liberally to the support 
of all religious causes. They came to this Township in the.year 1869, 
and are familiar with each feature of the progress made in this section 
of the country. They own, at the present writing, a valuable estate 
that is in an excellent state of cultivation, and have besides, several 
lots in the city, that yield a handsome income. 

Prof. F. M. Slosson, one of the most popular and successful edu- 
cators of Wyandotte County, was born in Clarence, Erie County, 
N. Y., January 18, 1854 His earlier education was obtained at Clar- 
ence Academy, after which, he taught three years and then supple- 
mented his previous studies with a business course at St. Joseph's 
College, of Buffalo, N. Y. He next studied law in the office of Hum- 
phrey & Lockwood, of that city, and in 1880 came to Kansas, intend- 
ing to follow the legal profession. Finding that avocation over- 
crowded, he turned his attention to educational work, in which his 
scholarship, industry and broad views on all popular questions soon 



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^1 



810 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



marked him for prominence. In 1883 he filled the position of city 
clerk of Armourdale, then a city of the third class. In 1886 he be- 
came the nominee of the Democratic party for county superintendent 
of public instruction, to which office he was elected and served one 
term in a creditable and efficient manner. In 1889 he was chosen 
superintendent of the Argentine public schools, and to his manage- 
ment is due much of their present prosperity. As a Democrat he has 
always been steadfast and loyal in support of his chosen party. He was 
married in Leavenworth, Kas. , September 16, 1882, to Miss Elinor 
Jones, and the union has been blessed with four sons, two of whom, 
Cyril and Eugene, are now living. His parents, Helon and Matilda 
(Mosher) Slosson, were born in the Empire State, and are of Welsh 
and English origin, respectively. The father was a tiller of the soil 
and a respected and honored man. 

James Smith, president of the Keystone Iron Works of Kansas 
City, Kas. , is a gentleman who needs no special introduction to the 
business circles of the two cities. He owes his nativity to New York, 
his birth occurring in May, 1832, and is the elder of two children, a 
sister named Betsey, who resides in New York State, and is the wife of 
a Mr. J. H. Davis, who is a farmer by occupation. The father was a 
native of New Hampshire, and was a manufacturer by occupation. He 
died in 1868. The mother was born in Massachusetts. James Smith re- 
ceived his early educational training in the old subscription schools, and 
then took a higher course in the St. Lawrence County (N. Y.) Academy. 
He has always followed the life of a mechanic, having occupied that 
position with the New York Central Railroad many years. Mr. Smith 
has been in charge of and president of the Keystone Iron Works for a 
period of twenty-five years. This plant and its excellent area of bus- 
iness influence is known throughout the Southwest. The present site 
covers about four acres, and there are four large buildings included in 
this large plant, machine shop, 300x50 feet; foundry, 175x75 feet, with 
a wing attached of 50x84 feet; blacksmith shop, 50x70 feet; pattern 
shop. 35x65 feet, and three stories high. This large machinery is 
driven by a 100 horse- power automatic engine, also a 40 horse-power 
engine in the foundry. The present plant was erected in 1888, at a total 
cost of $160,000, and they employ from 200 to 350 men. The annual 
production is from about $400,000 to $500,000. James Smith is presi- 
den of this immense business; T. B. Bullene, vice-president; L. B. Bul- 
lene, secretary and treasurer; C. E. Gabelman, general foreman; Thomas 
Cowie, foreman of the foundry; Andrew Stallberg, foreman of the pat- 



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i> ^ 



^1 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 811 



tern shop; Whit Moran, foreman of the blacksmith shop, and E. J. 
Davis, foreman of the machine shops. Their manufactories extend over 
many of the principal States besides the Territories. Mr. Smith was 
identified with the Keystone Iron Works when located in Kansas City, 
Mo. Mr. Smith was married in New York on September 7, 1854, to 
Miss Martha Mitchell, a native of Connecticut, whose ancestors came 
over in the "Mayflower." To this union was born one child, Kate, 
who resides in Kansas City, and is the wife of A. M. Graff, who is in 
the insurance business. Mr. Smith has always affiliated with the Re- 
publican party, and cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan. 
He is a member of the Elks, and he and wife are members and ardent 
supporters of the Unitarian Church. Mr. Smith emigrated direct from 
New York to Kansas City, Mo., in 1865, when this great rustling city 
was a mere infant, the population scarcely reaching 3,500. He has 
seen the most wonderful changes and developments since that time, and 
seen the population increase to 138,000, while the beautiful city of 
Kansas City, Kas., has a population of 40,000. Mr. and Mrs. Smith 
expect to make Kansas Cit_v, Kas. , their future home. 

James S. Smith. An enterprising grocery establishment in Kan- 
sas City, Kas., is that located at South Seventh Street, which was 
established in June, 1885. Mr. Smith was born in Alleghany County, 
Md. , June 16, 1849, being a son of Alexander and Julia Ann (Johnson) 
Smith, the former of whom was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and came 
to America with his parents, Alexander and Margaret Smith, in early 
manhood. The grandfather was a contractor by occupation, and was 
engaged in construction of tunnels. Julia Ann Smith was born in 
Iowa, and was married to Mr. Smith in 1848, their marriage result- 
ing in the birth of four childien: James S., Margaret M., John C. 
and Alexander. Margaret lives in Maryland, and is the wife of Will- 
iam Conrad. John lives in Kansas City, Kas., and for the past six 
years has been in the employ of James S. Smith as a grocer's clerk. 
Alexander is a ferryman, and is a resident of Belmont County, Ohio. 
The father of these children, who was a coal miner, died in 1856 from 
the efFects of a fall upon a coal car three month previous. Shortly 
after his death the mother removed with her children to Wheeling, 
W. Va., but died in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1859, while on a visit to that 
city. The four children thus left orphans, found a temporary home 
for one year among friends in the southern part of Belmont County, 
Ohio, at a place called Pike Creek. In 1860 their grandmother, Mar- 
garet Smith (then Margaret Ort), came to Belmont County, Ohio, for 



'C « 



812 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



the purpose of persuading the children to go to Maryland, and make 
their home with her and James S., and his sister Margaret did so. 
John and Alexander had previously secured good homes, and remained 
in Belmont County. James S. Smith continued to reside with his 
grandmother until he reached the age of sixteen years, or until her 
death, which occurred in 1865, but his sister, Margaret, made her 
home with an aunt, Mrs. Tennant, until her marriage to William Con- 
rad, at the age of eighteen years. John C, the third child, left Bel- 
mont County, and removed to Maryland, in 1861, and during the rest 
of his early life had a home in the family of William Staples, remain- 
ing with him some seventeen years. Alexander remained in Belmont 
County, Ohio, and his home is still there as stated above. He is mar- 
ried. During his boyhood, the subject of this sketch attended school 
in winter, and in summer was employed as a driver in a coal mine. 
After his grandmother's death he went to Cumberland, Md., where he 
worked seven months at the jeweler's trade, under W. AV. Wilkinson, 
after which he went to Frostburg, Md., where, during the following 
six summers, he was employed as a coal miner. During the winters 
of 1867, 1868 and 1869 he worked in a rolling-mill at Wheeling, W. 
Va. In the spring of 1872 he went to Georgetown, Colo., where he re- 
mained a year and a half, during which time he was engaged in pros- 
pecting, herding and freighting, but in 1873 he came to Kansas City, 
Kas., which place has been his home ever since, with the exception of 
one year spent at Frostburg, Md. Here for six months he was engaged 
in the ice-packing business, and for two and one-half years following 
this he was employed as a driver by Samuel Freeman. In the fall of 
1876 he returned to Frostburg, Md., and after working in a coal mine 
at that place for one year, he returned to Kansas City, and spent a 
short time once more in Mr. Freeman's employ. For some three years 
following this he worked in different elevators and packing-houses of 
the city, after which, for eight months he clerked in a grocery store for 
A. Glassner, and while thus employed was married, June 12, 1879, to 
Miss Katie Campbell, a native of Platte County, Mo., and a daughter 
of Nathan and Margaret (Archer) Campbell. The eight months suc- 
ceeding his marriage Mr. Smith was in the employ of the Missouri Pa- 
cific Railway, but in 1882 he opened a grocery store on the corner of 
Central Avenue and First Street, as a partner of his cousin, James S. 
Tennant, which connection lasted for about three j'ears. In the spring 
of 1885 they purchased a lot at No. 48 South Seventh Street, and 
upon it in the same sj)ring erected a business building, 22x60 feet, 



^i 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 813 



but about the time this was completed the firm dissolved j^artnership, 
Mr. Tennant trading to Mr. Smith his interest in the above named lot 
and building, for the letter's interest in the grocery stock on the cor- 
ner of First Street and Central Avenue. In June, 1885, Mr. Smith 
placed in his store on South Seventh Street, a new stock of groceries, 
and has conducted a first-class establishment at that point ever since. 
His trade is large and constantly increasing, and by the time he had 
been in business two years, his sales amounted to from •f'2,500 to 
$3,000 per month. Upon the same lot on which his store stands, he, 
in the fall of 1886, erected a good two-story, seven-roomed frame 
dwelling-house, at a cost of $1,000, which he has since occupied. 
Besides his grocery establishment, he is also the owner of one of the 
principal grocery stands in the Central Market of Kansas City, Kas., 
which brings him in a good income. His marriage has resulted in the 
birth of three children: Minnie Agnes, Florence and Alexander Na- 
than, who are aged respectively ten, eight and five years. Mr. Smith 
has many warm friends here, and by reason of his long residence in 
the city his trade is very large. 

William H. Smith, president and treasurer of the Whittaker 
Brick Company, was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1857, being the son of 
George B. and L. P. Smith. In his native city, Mr. Smith grew to 
manhood's estate, receiving in the meantime an academic education, 
and thus fitting himself to hold the positions of honor and trust since 
given to his charge. The company of which he is president is one of 
the wealthiest and most important in this section of the country, mak- 
ing at the present time a specialty of ornamental brick, and doing a 
lucrative business not only in this city, but in the surrounding cities. 
The plant was established in 1887, at a cost of .140,000, and has a 
capacity of 50,000 brick daily. The general office is on the corner of 
Fifth and Jersey Avenue, and the works are at Vance, eight miles 
from the city. J. M. Smith is vice-president of the company, J. F. 
Getty, secretary, and George C. Little, manager. Mr. Smith's polit- 
ical ideas are in keeping with the Republican party, of which he is a 
member. He is a High Mason, belongs to King Solomon Lodge No. 
91, A. F. & A. M., to the Commandery Knight Templar No. 15, Orien- 
tal Temple, of the Mystic Shrine, all of Troy, N. Y., and is also a 
member of the Old Guard of the Troy Citizens' Corps. The subject of 
this sketch was married February 11, 1878, to Miss Ida M. Quackenbush, 
native of Troy, and to this union has been born one child, viz. : George 
B. And thus, as the world moves on in her circled orb, the spirit of 

^ ^ ' —' ^ ^ 






814 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



progress seems more and more to assert itself, and every day brings 
to light wonderful exhibitions of the indomitable courage and unfail- 
ing energy that enables men to overcome every obstacle that bars 
their march toward fame and fortune. 

Charles F. Smith is the competent proprietor of Edgerton Place 
Drug Store, an establishment which is one of the best equipped and 
conducted iu the city. He was born in Floyd County, Iowa, Novem- 
ber 3, 1864, to Joel W. and Susan (Wheat) Smith, both of whom were 
natives of York State. He was reared to manhood in his native town 
of Charles City, and his early educational training was received in 
the public schools of that place. Upon attaining his eighteenth year 
he began clerking in a drug store, and has given his whole attention 
to this calling ever since. He entered the Chicago College of Phar- 
macy in 1885, and after attending two terms graduated in 1887, his 
career as a student in this institution being characterized by close 
application and devotion to the work at hand. In November, 1888) 
he came to Kansas City, Kas., and in April, 1889, established a drug 
store on Third Street. The following October be moved his store to 
No. 423 Stewart Avenue, Edgerton Place, where he is now doing a 
very paying business. He has been familiar with the details of the 
business for the past seven years, and being a graduate of one of the 
leading pharmaceutical institutions in the country, he is, without 
doubt, one of the most competent pharmacists in the city. His store 
is well stocked with pure drugs and all other articles usually kept in 
an establishment of the kind. It has always been his end and aim to 
please his customers, and this, in connection with his close attention 
to business and his honesty, has contributed largely to his success. 
He has made many friends since locating here, and being a young 
man of good morals he is deservedly popular. 

B. S. Smith (colored) is an attorney at law, of Kansas City, Kas., 
and is a well-posted, intelligent and enterprising man. His birth 
occurred at Fayetteville, in Washington County, Ark., in August, 1860, 
but he was reared to manhood in Springfield, 111., and Springfield, Mo. 
His father and mother were slaves at the time of his birth, but after 
the war he was taken North, and as soon as he reached a proper age 
he was sent to the common schools. Being intelligent and possessing 
a retentive memory he made rapid progress in his studies, and in time 
was graduated from the high school of Springfield, 111. Being de- 
termined to become still better educated, he entered the University of 
Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in October, 1884, and was graduated from 



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WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 815 



the law department of this institution in 1886. He immediately 
located at Springfield, Greene County, Mo. , where he opened an office 
and practiced for nine months. Imbued with the idea that he could 
better his financial condition' in Kansas, he came thither and hung out 
his "shingle" in Kansas City, and here has been since the month of 
May, 1887, and doing well. He is thoroughly posted in legal lore, 
but much prefers civil to criminal practice. He possesses much gen 
nine ability and deserves much credit for the position he now occupies, 
for notwithstanding the drawbacks of poverty, prejudice of race, etc., 
he has surmounted all these difficulties and has established himself 
firmly in business with a promising future before him. He labored 
hard in his early youth, saved his money and paid his way through 
school and is now enjoying the reward of his early industry and laud- 
able ambition, for he has won the respect of all who know him. 

Michael L. Soden is a practical farmer and stock-raiser of Wyan- 
dotte County, Kas. , and has proven himself to be one of the men 
essential to the success and prosperity of the community in which they 
reside. He was born in County Cavin, North of Ireland, in Decem- 
ber, 1884, being one of four children born to his parents, their names 
in order of birth being as follows: Peter (who is married and resides in 
Kansas City, Mo., and is a wealthy man), Michael L. (the subject of 
this memoir), Patrick (who is also a wealthy, retired contractor and 
builder, of Kansas City, Mo. , and is married), and Maggie (who died 
when she was about thirty-five years of age. She was the wife of 
Patrick Brady, a j)atrolman of Kansas City, Mo.). The parents of 
these children were born in Ireland, both of whom are now deceased, 
the father having been a linen draper while living. Mr. Soden' s edu- 
cation was quite meager, as he was left a poor boy with his own living 
to earn, but, often feeling the need of an education, he is a stanch 
supporter and believer in free schools, and in fact, educational institu- 
tions of all kinds. He commenced to make his own way in the world 
at the age of sixteen years without a shilling in his pocket, but the 
position he now occupies should teach a lasting lesson to all, for it 
shows what indomitable energy and perseverance can do. He was 
married in Kansas City, Mo., on December 4, 1869, to Miss Mary J. 
Kelley who was born in the South of Ireland, her education being re- 
ceived in the national schools of that country. Her union with Mr. 
Soden has resulted in the birth of the following children: Maggie 
(who is a finely educated young lady residing with her parents), Mar- 
tin, Peter, Mary, Willie and Joseph. Mr. Soden first enlisted in the 






816 ' HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Home Militia cluring the Rebellion, after wbich be served as teamster 
for two years, his regiment taking part in the following engagements: 
Jefferson City, and holding Gen. Price in check at Westport near 
Kansas City, besides some other minor engagements. He was honor- 
ably discharged at Warrensbiirg, Mo., during the spring of 1865, and 
has i-ince devoted his attention to farming, being now in comfortable 
circumstances. Since coming to this country he has supported the 
measures of Democracy, in national issues, but he has always upheld 
men of honor, integrity and truth rather than the shrewd politician. 
He and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church, and al- 
ways contribute of their means to support all benevolent institutions. 
Atrthe age of sixteen years he came to America from Ireland, taking 
passage on board a vessel at Liverpool, England, and landing at New 
York. After a short time he moved to New Jersey, and at the end of 
six months, to Independence, Mo. , afterward to Clay County, of the 
same State, where he remained a number of years. Here Mr. Soden 
carried the hod in the erection of William Jules College, this being 
aboiit thirty-eight years ago. From this place he came to Kansas 
City, Mo., at which time there was not a brick building in the place, 
and he can say with truth that he has seen the remarkable develop- 
ment of this place as well as Kansas City, Kas. "When he iirst came 
to the former place, the surrounding country was a perfect wilderness, 
and did not promise much to the incoming settlers, and where now 
are the handsome streets of Delaware, Broadway and Wyandotte, and 
Grand Avenue, then was heavy timber and brush. Kansas City, Kas., 
was then unknown, and the present magniticent city of Kansas City, 
Mo., then comprised 500 inhabitants. Mr. Soden is one of the earli- 
est settlers of this region, and can well remember the time when Mc- 
Gee's addition to Kansas City, Mo., was planted to corn, and was 
valued at only $25 per acre. Although he spent two years in the 
Rocky Mountains there was not a railroad in the West, and the trip 
was made overland. He and his wife now own thirty-nine acres of 
land, lying within four and one- half miles of the city limits of Kan- 
sas City, Kas. He has a neat and commodious farm residence and 
outbuildings, and here he and his estimable wife expect to spend the 
rest of their days, surrounded by their children and numerous friends. 
Elisha Sortor, another old settler of Wyandotte County, came 
here from Allegany County, N. Y., in 1857, prompted by an honest 
desire to better himself, and for the same amount of money acquire 
more territory. He settled in Quindaro, bought six town lots (real 



*^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 817 



estate being on a boom at that place), and expected to make his fort- 
une in a short time. In about five years, he bought an acre and a 
half at sheriff's sale, and later bought thirty-tive acres more for taxes. 
The Indians shortly afterward moved away, then the war came on, 
property depreciated, and when the Hannibal bridge was built below 
the mouth of the Kaw, the glories of Quindaro departed. As soon as 
he had purchased the thirty five acres, Mr. Sortor began farming, and 
is now the owner of 175 acres, all the result of hard work and close 
application. During the time that Gen. Price made his raid, Mr. 
Sortor was second lieutenant in the State militia, and was in the fight 
at Blue and Westport. He has held a number of local positions, has 
been school director, and has been road overseer for twenty years. He 
is the son of "William and Cynthia (Clark) Sortor, the former a native 
of New Jersey, and the latter of Vermont, but both were reared in 
New York. They reared a family of nine children — four sons and 
five daughters — three sons and all the daughters are now living, but 
only one, our subject, residing in this State. William Sortor was sixty- 
seven years of age when his death occurred, in 1865, and his widow 
lived until the winter of 1890, being eighty six years of age at the 
time of her death. The paternal grandparents, Elisha and Margaret 
Sortor, came to New York State, and there reared their family. The 
father of Elisha was a Revolutionary soldier. Our subject was born 
in 1825, grew to manhood with a farm experience, received a limited 
education in the common schools, and when twenty-one years of age, 
started for himself by farming and lumbering, continuing at this until 
he came West. When twenty-two years of age, he married Miss Eva 
Brundage, the daughter of Matthew Brundage, who was a farmer of 
New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Sortor were born four children — 
three sons and a daughter: Henry (on the farm), Charles (a school 
teacher), Fred (at home), and Cynthia (wife of a conductor, re- 
siding at Kansas City, Mo.). Politically Mr. Sortor is a Republican 
and a Prohibitionist. He commenced life here as a day laborer, and 
is now in very comfortable circumstances indeed. He has always con- 
tributed liberally to all worthy enterprises, and is one of the represent- 
ative citizens. He is one of the oldest of the white settlers in the 
county, but time has dealt gently with him. 

John Spaeth, fruit-grower, Vance, Kas. Of the foreign born ele- 
ment now in Wyandotte County, none are more thrifty, prudent and 
economical than those who were originally from Germany. Mr. Spaeth 
J was born in Wirtemburg, Germany, June 19, 1850, and his parents, 



^ ^ — ^ -^ — '>^ 

' (E\ , ^^ I A ' 

818 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Joseph and Barbara (Hirning) Spaeth, are both natives of that country. 
They reared a family of six children — four sons and two daughters, of 
whom our subject is the eldest, Mary, George, Louis, Christian and 
Johanna, and all are now living, and Mary is married to John Hern- 
ing, who resides near Kosedale. The parents are still living. John 
Spaeth was reared on his father's farm until fourteen years of age, 
and attended the common schools for nine years. He then started out 
by himself, with the intention of going to an uncle in Loveland, Ohio, 
but arriving in New York City, he concluded to learn the cabinet mak- 
er's trade, serving an apprenticeship of two years. He then went to 
Cincinnati, Ohio, worked at his trade about a year, and then changed 
off to carpenter work, which he carried on for about four years. In 1871 
he came to Wyandotte County, located near Wyandotte City, engaged 
in the nursery business, and carried this on very successfully for five 
years. Then he lost nearh' all during the grasshopper season. Two 
years after he bought the place where he now resides, ten acres, and 
has it all devoted to fruit. He is also the owner of twenty acres of 
excellent land within a quarter of a mile of the town. Since coming 
to Vance he has been quite successful, and is one of the foremost fruit- 
growers. He was married in Greensburg, Ind. , February 15, 1870, 
to Miss Carrie Horstman, a sister of Christ. Horstman, who is one 
of the trustees of this township. Six children are the result of this 
union, all daughters: Jessie, Lillie, Rose, Grace, Carrie and Addie. 
Mr. Spaeth has been school director for four years, and district clerk 
one term. Politically he is a Democrat and votes that ticket. 

Bernard Speaker has been worthily identified with Wyandotte 
County since 1870, and no history of the county would be complete 
which failed to make proper mention of him and the business in which 
he is engaged. In 1876 he made a purchase of twenty acres of land, 
and although his farm is small he has utilized it to such good ad- 
vantage that he is now the owner of a sufficient amount of worldly 
goods to make him independent for the rest of his days. He devotes 
from five to seven acres to the raising of sweet potatoes, the average 
yield per acre being from 200 to 225 bushels, and the varieties are 
Yellow Jersey, Early Golden and Bed Bermuda. He furnishes Trum- 
bell, Reynolds & Co. their seed for shipping. Of Irish potatoes he 
raises the Early Ohio, averaging from 125 to 150 bushels per acre, 
and also gives considerable attention to the culture of the late Mam- 
moth Pearl. For several years he planted two crops of potatoes on 
the same ground, and he devoted from one to two acres to watermelons 



^^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 819 



each year, the principal varieties being Cuban Queen and Ice Rind. 
Tlie remaining acres are given to cabbages and other kinds of vege- 
tables. He is loud in his praise of Wyandotte County, for in his opin- 
ion it contains some of the richest land of the State, and its fruit, veg- 
etables, etc., are unsurpassed. He makes the statement that 80,000 
bushels of potatoes were raised and sold in his section this year, and 
the average profit per acre of vegetables is between $50 and $100. 
He is a native German, and like all his countrymen, thrifty, industri- 
ous and honest, and an enterprising and public-spirited citizen. He 
was born March 21, 1834, and until he attained manhood he was en- 
gaged in farming in his native land. In 1860 he came to the United 
States to seek a home, and until February, 1862, he was engaged in 
gardening in Louisville, Ky. , then joining the Twenty eighth Ken- 
tucky Infantry, Company I, under Capt. John Schmidt, and served 
in the Fourth Army Corps, taking part in the battle of Kenesaw 
Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, Franklin and Nashville. 
He was captured at Green River in September, 1862, by Gen. Bragg, 
was kept a prisoner for three months, and was then exchanged. After 
the war he returned to Louisville, Ky., but at the end of one year he 
joined the Veteran Reserve Corps of the regular army, and during his 
three years' service he was promoted to drill-master. His services in 
this capacity were fully appreciated, and he was offered the position 
of orderly, but he preferred to retain the position of first duty ser- 
geant, and this position filled successfully until he received his dis- 
charge in the fall of 1869. After going back to Louisville, Ky., and 
remaining there four months, he made a visit to his old home in Eu- 
rope, after which he came back to Louisville, and in 1870, settled in 
Wyandotte County, Kas. After working at different callings until 
1876, he bought the farm where he now lives, as above stated. He 
was married in 1876 to Miss Elizabeth Frohoff, a native German, their 
acquaintance being formed while Mr. Speaker was visiting in Der 
Faterland, and five years afterward she crossed the water to America. 
They are now the parents of five interesting and intelligent children: 
Louis, Joseph, John, Charley and Mary. Although formerly a Re- 
publican in his political views, Mr. Speaker has supported Democratic 
principles for some years past. He is serving his sixth year as school 
director in District 19, and he and his wife are members of the Cath- 
olic Church at Argentine. In the calling in which he is engaged, Mr. 
Speaker is well known to the people of this community, and he has, 
and fully deserves, the respect of all, for he is perfectly honorable in 



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_® 2" 



820 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



every particular, and keeps fully apace with tbe times in all matters 
of public interest. 

Dr. Frederick Speck, an old and honored physician of Kansas City, 
Kas., was born in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Penn., November 24, 
1818, his parents. Dr. Joseph and Mary (Motter) Speck, being also born 
there. The paternal grandparents were Frederick and Barbara (Mus- 
sulman) Speck, their births occurring in Lancaster County, Penn. 
The first member of the family to settle in America was a Hollander, 
the mother's ancestor being a German. The jaarents of Dr. Speck had 
a family of three children, of whom he was the eldest, the only son 
and the only one now living. The mother died about 1888 and his 
father subsequently married Elizabeth Hollenback, by whom he reared 
a family of sis children, only one of whom, a son, is now living. The 
father's death occurred April 3, 1875, in Kansas City, Kas., where he 
located in 1857, he having been a graduate of Dickinson College, of 
Carlisle, Penn., and also a graduate of a Baltimore Medical College. 
He practiced his profession for over forty years, and for two years 
was a surgeon in the Union army during the Rebellion. Dr. Freder- 
ick Speck spent his early life in his native town and received his liter- 
ary education in Dickinson College, also. His first knowledge of 
medicine was acquired under his father, and in early manhood he com- 
pleted a course in the Franklin Medical College of Philadelphia, grad- 
uating in 1847. He began practicing in Fremont, Schuylkill County, 
Penn., but after spending five years there, and a similar length of time 
in Selin's Grove, Snyder Count}', Penn., he came West and took up his 
location in Kansas City, Kas., where he has been in the active prac- 
tice of his profession ever since. For the past forty-three years he 
has been a practitioner of the " healing art," and during thirty-three 
years of this time he has been located at Kansas City. He is now the 
pioneer physician of this place, and during the long term of years 
spent here he has become well known, both professionally and socially. 
He was married on June 8, 1848, to Miss Adelaide M. Dennis, who 
accompanied him to the West and died in Kansas City, March 8, 1882, 
leaving, besides her husband, four children to mourn her death. They 
are Annie M., Mary C, Joseph B. and Richard D. On December 31, 
1885, the Doctor was married to Mrs. Frances L. Battles, a daughter 
of Hon. Marsh Giddings, late governor of New Mexico, and the widow 
of Augustus S. Battles, of Philadelphia, Penn. Dr. Speck and his 
wife are members of the Episcopal Church, and he is a prominent Odd 
Fellow, and has been honored with the position of Grand Master and 



^ 



?v^ 



'k 




Grand Chief Patriarch of the State, and Grand Representative to the 
Grand Lodge of the United States, which met at Baltimore in 1873 and 
at Atlanta in 1874. He is now one of the oldest Odd Fellows in the 
State, and has also long been a member of the Masonic fraternity and the 
K. of P. He is a devoted member of the Republican party, and has 
served two terms as mayor of the city and several terms as a member 
of the city council. He has held the position of pension examiner for 
a period of ten years, and is now a member of the board. He was also 
a member of the board that built the Blind Asylum, and served as one 
of its trustees for several years, and has served as a physician of that in- 
stitution ever since it was erected. He was a member of the Kansas 
State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Pro- 
fessionally, as in every other respect. Dr. Speck stands very high, and 
he possesses the universal respect and esteem of his medical brethren in 
this section. He has an extensive acquaintance and a large circle of 
friends, and is a man who will command respect in whatever locality he 
might settle. 

J. M. Squires, of Kansas City, Kas., is a native of New Jersey, 
where he was born in 1834, to William and Mary (Irvin) Squires, both 
of whom were also born in that State. The father was a farmer and 
lumberman by occupation, a very active and energetic man, and in his 
political views was a Whig. His father was born in Vermont, and was 
a stove-maker by trade. To William Squires and wife a family of five 
children were born, all of whom are living. J. M. Squires attended 
the common schools of New Jersey, and was in the lumber business with 
his father for some years, and also worked at carriage-making for some 
time before entering the army, and has always been of a mechanical turn 
of mind. August 5, 1802, he enlisted in the One Himdred and Thir- 
tieth New York Infantry, United States army, but was soon afterward 
transferred to the First Dragoons of a New York cavalry regiment, and 
was with the Army of the Potomac, and served in the State of Virginia 
the most of the time. He was at Winchester, and saw Sheridan after 
the close of his famous ride. Gen. Wright was the senior officer in 
command, and upon seeing Gen. Sheridan, he cried, " Gen. Sheridan, 
we are whipped! " to which Sheridan replied, " You may be, but by 
G— d my men are not! " and true enough, he rallied his men and won 
the day. He was with Gen. Sherman in the Shenandoah Valley, and 
was in the battle of the Wilderness, and afterward crossed the Rapi- 
dan with Grant and took part in the engagements at Spottsylvania and 
Petersburg, seeing much hard service. At the battle of Winchester he 



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) Vy 



822 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



held the position of first duty sergeant under Gen. Merritt. Two of 
his brothers served in the Union army also. Mr. Squires was mustered 
out of service June 24, 1865, and returned to his old home, and for 
some time after was the proprietor of a meat -market. He afterward 
went to Fond du Lac, Wis., and after working in the Chicago & North- 
western Kailroad shops for quite a period, he removed to Michigan 
Iron Mines, near Green Bay, and there worked for the same road one 
winter, returning at the end of that time to Fond du Lac. August 3, 
1870, he found himself in Kansas City, Kas. , and continued his labors 
for the above-mentioned road until two years since. He is the owner 
of 168 acres of land near Cameron, Mo. He was the first president of 
the school board of consolidated Kansas City, in which capacity he 
served three years, retiring in August, 1889. There was a great amount 
of work done on the school buildings during this time, and for nearly 
two years he gave all his attention to superintending the erection of 
school buildings. He is a Republican, a member of Burnside Post of 
the G. A. R., and is a charter member of both the I. O. O. F. and 
the A. O. U. W. He was married just before going into the army, 
but his wife died during his service, and he was again married in 
Missouri, about 1872. He is well known in Kansas City, and com- 
mands the respect of all. 

Andrew Stalberg, mechanic, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Stalberg 
is foreman of the pattern shop of the great plant known as "The 
Keystone Iron Works," of Kansas City, Kas., and is a mechanic of 
no ordinary ability. He was originally from North Sweden; his birtb 
occurring near Gothenburg, November 10, 1836, and was reared in 
that city. He was the elder of two brothers, the other being John, 
who is now a resident of New York City, where he is a professional 
pattern-maker. He married Miss Anna Ciza. The father of our sub- 
ject was a native also of Sweden, and was a soldier. He is now de- 
ceased. The mother still lives, and is eighty- five years of age. An- 
drew Stalberg obtained his early educational training in the common 
schools of his native country, and later attended the high school at 
Gothenburg. He received his education in the evening schools, and 
finished his course as a draughtsman and designer. At the age of 
twenty-five years he worked as a pattern-maker in the following cities: 
First at the city of Tralhalan, Sweden, remained three years; from 
there went to Gothenburg, where he remained twelve years, and while 
in that city worked for a firm by the name of Killer, one of the 
largest of the kind in Sweden. A company of ten, Mr. Stalberg 



rnr 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 823 



among them, built a foundry at a total cost of $35,000, and Mr. Stall- 
berg and a partner called upon King Charles XV. for aid in the con- 
struction of this important enterprise. There there they remained for 
seven weeks, were partially successful, and then returned home and 
erected the plant. This did not prove as successful as the company 
anticipated, and they failed as a result. The failure was caused by 
the enterprise proving an impetus for some members of the company 
to ascend too readily the hill of importance and style, and another 
cause was that some of the mechanics liked the social glass too well. 
All the company were lirst-class mechanics in detail. Afterward Mr. 
Stalberg went as foreman for James Robertson at Gothenburg, and 
remained there three years. From there he went back to the old firm, 
remained with the same for four years, and here he met with an acci- 
dent that almost proved fatal. About a ton of wire fell on him, he 
was taken out as dead, but immediate medical aid saved him. After 
recovering he returned to work, remained one year, and emigrated to 
New York City in 1868. He remained there for nine years, working 
with a fi-iend from his own city of Gottingen. The first four- years 
he was a pattern maker, and the remainder of the time he was foreman. 
He came to Kansas City in 1878, identified himself with the Kej'stone 
Ironworks, where he has been ever since. He has been a trusted and 
valuable man in this great plant for twelve years, nine years of which 
time he was foreman. This brief sketch shows that Mr. Stalberg is 
a man who, in his especial profession, is one of value to his employers 
in every position he has held. He was married in the old country, in 
1855, to Miss Anna Christina, a native of Sweden, where she received 
her education, and the fruits of this union were five childi-en — two 
sons and three daughters: Amanda (married Rev. Frederick Swam- 
berg. a Lutheran clergyman, and they have six children. They reside 
in Nebraska), Augusta (deceased), Albin Isadore (deceased), Israel 
(deceased). Alma Josephine (resides with her parents, and is a musician 
and teacher of music). She is the youngest in the family. Mr. Stalberg 
is a Republican by principle and precept. He cast his first presiden- 
tial vote for Gen. Grant. He has been an active politician, and his 
influence is felt in this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Stalberg and family 
are worthy members of the Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Kas., 
and Mr. Stalberg has had the charge of the Sunday-school for thirty- 
five years, having been superintendent of the same since first locat- 
ing here. He is also a deacon in the same, and president of the build- 
ing committee of the church, which he has partially superintended in 



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824 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



building, at a cost of $45,000. All this is highly commendable to 
Mr. Stalberg, and he is one of the mainstays in his church. He is 
president of the Temperance & Benevolent Society, and this society 
is in a very flourishing condition, having $2,000 in the treasury. Mr. 
and Mrs. Stalberg always contribute of their means to any enterprise 
worthy of their attention, and no worthy movement is allowed to fall 
through for want of assistance. They are the owners of a nice prop- 
erty at 1115 Holly Street, Kansas City, Mo., and it is valued at $9,- 
000. This much-esteemed couple expect to make their permanent 
home in Kansas City, where Mr. Stalberg' s talents and skill will ever 
be in demand. Here they are surrounded by their children and many 
warm friends. 

Charles E. Staub, assistant chief of the fire department, Kansas 
City, Kas. Mr. Staub was originally from Washington County, Md., 
his birth occurring on October 13, 1856, and was reared to manhood 
in his native county. He received a good practical education in the 
common schools, and remained in Washington County until 1878, when 
he went to Ohio and then to Illinois. He served three years as an ap- 
prentice to the blacksmith and machanist's trade. While in Southern 
Illinois he was married to Miss Ellen, daughter of Jacob Heilmand, 
and a native of Union County, 111. They became the parents of two 
children, one now living, Harry. Mr. Staub came to this city in 
1882, worked at his trade here for eighteen months and then started a 
shop on Third Street, which he carried on for three years, and in 
which business he was successful. He then sold out and entered the 
fire department as above stated. He has assisted in the manufacture 
of some of the patents that are used in the department at present, 
worked on the water-tower, and rebuilt the wagon used for carrying 
the hose out of the water limits, also improved the harness hangings, 
and the new halter hitches. He is a member of the K. of P., Fellow- 
ship Lodge No. 2, and Uniform Rank and has been worthy vice in the 
former.. He is also a member of the Franklin Lodge A. O. U. W., No. 
132, and is a Republican in his political views. Although he came here 
with limited means, Mr. Staub has accumulated a handsome property, 
and is a representative citizen of Kansas City, Kas. 

John Steffens is a county commissioner of District No. 1, of Wyan- 
dotte County, and not only as a painstaking and zealous official, but 
socially and politically also, do we find him among the foremost men of 
the county. He was born in Germany, May 23, 1845, and like so 
many of his countrymen by industry and good management he has 






^ 




obtaiiUHl a sulistaiiiiul footing in this eountrv- Hf was the pldost in 
a family of four children born to Henry and Betty StefFens, natives of 
the same country where their mother died in 1870, and the^, father is 
still living, following the occupation of contracting and building, of 
which he is the thorough master. John StefFens came to America to 
seek his fortune at the age of eighteen years, and after landing in 
New York City, immediately emigrated westward, and for two years 
worked at the carpenter's trade in Belleville, 111. He then went to a 
town near Nashville, 111., where he hired out to a farmer, and there 
made his home until 1868, when he came to Argentine, or what is now 
Argentine, there being no house on the present site at that time. He 
continued to till the soil here for a few years, and by the careful saving 
of his wages he soon accumulated a sufficient amount to enable him to 
purchase a farm of forty-one acres close to Argentine, of which he is 
still the owner. This farm he improved with a good house and other 
buildings, and now rents the same. In 1881 the town of Argentine 
was laid out, and he moved to the village and again began carpen- 
tering and building, which he continued to follow till his election 
in 1S83 to the position of township treasurer, and the follow- 
ing year township trustee, a position he retained five years. At the 
organization of Argentine he was elected one of the first councilmeu, 
and filled this position by re-election for six years, being elected in 
1888 to the oflSce of county commissioner, a position he was forced to 
resign. He has been associated with the management of the township, 
city and county during the greater part of his residence here, and has 
also been interested in the progress and development of the schools, 
and to this end acted as a member of the school board. While he was 
one of the county commissioners the county jail was built, and also 
Eighth Street. He has given universal satisfaction while representing 
his district, and his popularity with his fellow-men is shown when it is 
known that he was elected on the Republican ticket from a precinct 
largely Democratic. As an official he has not his superior, for he is 
methodical, faithful and highly efficient, one of the county's first-class 
citizens. In the month of August, 1874, he was united in marriage 
to Miss Emma Walker, a daughter of William and Louisa Walker, the 
former of whom died in 1868. The mother still survives, and makes 
her home with her daughter, Mrs. StefFens. The latter was born in 
Wyandotte in 1856, and her union with Mr. Steffens has resulted in 
the birth of four children: Mena, Henry, John and Lena. The family 
are members of the German Lutheran Church of this city. 



^■ 









lli. 



826 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Hon. B. L. Stine is the oil inspector for all of the Second Con- 
gressional District, and also part of the first and third districts. He 
was born in Juniata County, Penn., in 1846, and in that State grew 
to manhood. At the opening of the Rebellion, when only fourteen 
years of age, he enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, 
but at the end of three months became a member of Company A, First 
Pennsylvania Cavalry as a private, and was with the same for three 
years and one month, taking part in the following engagements: Chan- 
cellorsville. Wilderness, Gettysburg, Petersburg, Bermuda Hundred, 
City Point, Five Forks, and Appomattox Court House, and saw Gen. 
Lee the day before the surrender. He took part in the grand review 
at Washington City, then returned to Pennsylvania, and was discharged 
at Harrisburg. He then secured employment on a railroad as fireman, 
finally became engineer and remained on Engine 67 until 1869, when 
he went to Ohio and located near Galion, where he began farming, a 
calling he followed until 1875, when he came to Kansas City, Mo., 
where he remained for three years prior to his removal to this city be 
ing an employe of the Kansas Boiling Mill Company during that time 
and until 1882. In 1880 he was elected to the State Legislature, from 
Wyandotte County, on the Republican ticket, the first one to be elected 
from this district, serving with ability from 1882 to 1884. Ho con- 
tinued with the above named mill until it was closed down in 1882, 
after which he turned his attention to the real estate business, also in- 
surance, and is still following this calling, it being his chief business. 
He received the appointment of coal inspector in December, 1889, and 
he is is also connected with the South West Boulevard Land & Im- 
provement Company, and is interested in Columbus Heights, Hum- 
boldt Addition and Potomac Heights, besides his own exclusive prop- 
erty. He is one of the public-spirited men of this section, is strictly 
honorable in all his business transactions, and commands the un- 
bounded respect and esteem of his fellow-men. He is a member of 
the K. of P., the A. O. U. W. , Royal Arcanum, and while a resident 
of Ohio was married, becoming the father of one child: Zelene A. 
Mr. Stine is of Dutch descent and is a sou of Benjamin D. and May 
A. (Height) Stine, native Pennsylvanians. 

Dr. Charles M. Stemen is a well-known young physician of Kan- 
sas City, Kas., and was born in Vftn Wert County, Ohio, September 
11, 1865, being a son of Dr. C. B. Stemen, an eminent railway sur- 
geon of Fort Wayne, -Ind. Charles M. spent his early days in his na- 
tive county, and received his literary edneation in the Fort Wayne 



Methodist College. In the fall of ISSl. having made uj) his mind 
to make the profession of a physician his calling through life, he 
began bis medical studies under the preceptorship of his father, and 
in 1886 graduated as an M. D., from the Fort Wayne' College of 
Medicine, and at once came West, locatingin Kansas City, Kas., where 
he has since devoted himself earnestly to the successful practice of his 
calling, and has succeeded admirably in his endeavors. He is a mem- 
ber of the Wyandotte County Medical Society, the National Associa- 
tions of Railway Surgeons, and for one year held the office of city phy- 
sician of Kansas City, and for tlje past three years has been police 
surgeon. He makes a specialty of surgery, for the practice of which 
he is peculiarly well adajited, and he is acknowledged hy his brother 
physicians to be possessed of much ability and skill. He has a lucra- 
tive practice, and promises to attain the front ranks in his profession. 
Socially he belongs to the A. F. & A. M., the K. of P., the A. O. U. 
W., the A. O. F. , and the National Union. His marriage which oc- 
curred May 15, 1888, was to Miss Eva B. Kirtley, a daughter of W. 
J. Kirtley, of Warsaw, Ind. 

Derrick Stone, manufacturer of carbonated drinks, soda water, or 
ange cider and bock beer, seltzer water, champagne cider, etc., estab- 
lished his business herein 1887, and immediately entered on a brisk 
trade which has steadily increased since. His genial disposition has 
gained him a host of friends, and he practices those principles of fair- 
ness and liberality which are bound to hold and make more custom. 
He is doing business at 534 and 536 Reynolds Avenue, Kansas City, 
Kas., operates the year round and employs twelve men. He re- 
placed the old machinery in the room by new, and everything is in 
lirst-class working order. Mr. Stone was born in Hocking County, 
Ohio, on December 21, 1826, and was the son of Horace and Betsy 
(Ramsey) Stone, the father a native of Connecticut, born in 1789, and 
the mother of Maryland, born about 1800. Both came to Ohio with 
their parents, grew to mature years in Ohio, and there their nuptials 
were celebrated. The father of our subject was an agriculturist and was 
very successful in this calling. He was colonel of the militia for many 
years. In politics he took an active part, was a Whig, and held a num- 
ber of local offices. He was a leader in that section, and was active 
in his support of Harrison, Si-. Both he and wife were members of, 
the Presbyterian Church for many years, and he was an elder in the 
same. The Stone family was originally from Holland. The paternal 
grandfather. Derrick Stone emigrated from Connecticut to Marietta, 



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< .' ^i:^*^ 

828 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Ohio, when the Indians were the principal inhabitants of that county, 
and there passed the remainder of his days. Derrick Stone, Jr., at 
tended the schools in his home district until he was better qualified to 
teach than his teacher, and then taught the home school for the muni- 
ficent sum of $12 per month, and boarded himself. He began teach- 
ing when seventeen years of age. followed this pursuit for two years, 
and then as his father opened a store at Nelsonville, Athens County, 
Ohio, he took charge of the same, conducting it for two years. After 
this he engaged as salesman in a mercantile establisment, and con- 
tinued at this one year, and was then with Phillip Hanes & Sons at 
Fremont, Ohio, for one season. Later still he went to Maumee City, 
Ohio, took charge of a mercantile e.stal:)lishment doing an extensive 
business, P. W. Boyd & Co , and then went into partnership with the 
firm of Gregory & Moore, in patent medicines. Later his jaartner died 
and his (the partner's) interest was purchased by Mr. Boyd, the title 
being changed to Boyd, Stone & Co. Three years later Mr. Stone 
sold his interest, after which he went to Perrysburg, and formed a 
partnership with Gen. William Houston in general merchandising, 
carrying this on until the breaking out of the war. In September, 
1862, Mr. Stone enlisted in Company A, One Hundredth Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, and was made first deputy sergeant, holding the posi- 
tion for six months, after which he was detailed to commissary de- 
partment as abstract clerk, and held that position until the close of 
the war. While in the ranks he was in the battle of Franklin, and 
he assisted in marching the prisoners to the rear who were taken at 
that time. He was discharged at Washington, and soon after came 
to Wyandotte County, where he commenced operating a saw-mill in 
connection with Frank H. Belton. Two years later he opened a store 
at Pomeroy, which town was then in the woods, named the place, and 
was the first ticket agent. Some time afterward he came to Wyan- 
dotte City, carried on a store for twelve years, and then embarked in 
the coal business with Mayor W. P. Overton, and continued at this 
until three years ago. In 1868 he married Mrs. Jennie E. Garrett, 
daughter of Dr. Ayers of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Mrs. Stone is a 
member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Stone is a member of 
the I. O. O. F. , of Kansas City, Kas. , and has held most all the chairs 
of the K. of P. In politics he is Democratic, favoring free tariff. 

John L. Sterrett, foreman of the loading gang for Swift & Co., of 
Kansas City, was born in Evansville, Ind., July 31, 1863, a son of 
Alexander and Anna M. E. (Lagow) Sterrett. the former of whom was 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. ^2!) 



born in Wayne County, Ind., SeptemVier 28, 18'21. and the latter in 
Princeton, Ind., October 11, 1837. To their union a family of eight 
children was born: Robert M. , Harry L. , William P., Samuel W., 
John L., Margaret, Sallie, and Anna, the latter dying in infancy. 
When John L. Sterrett was three years of age, he was taken by his 
parents to Manhattan, Kas. They remained in this State only three 
years, returning at the end of that time to Indiana, locating in Wash- 
ington, and two years later in Terre Haute. In 1880 they returned to 
Kansas, talsing up their abode in Wyandotte County, and here the 
father, who was a minister of the Presbyterian Church, died September 
25, 1885, his widow and their six youngest children still residing in 
Wyandotte. The early life of John L. Sterrett was spent in the places 
named above, but the greater part of his education was received at 
Terre Haute. After coming to Wyandotte he was a student for two 
months in Spauldiug's Business College, at the end of which time he 
left that institution to enter the packing-house of George Fowler & 
Son, remaining with them for six years and a half, during the whole 
of which time he was employed as time-keeper. In September, 1887, 
he became an employ e of the Kansas City Packing Companj% but in 
November, 1887, he began working fur the Armour Packing Company, 
his services being thus employed until March 11, 1888. On the fol- 
lowing day he was hired by Swift & Co.. and has been with this firm 
ever since, his first duties being as time-keeper. In the fall of 1889 
he was given a foremanship, and in June, 1890, he was made foreman 
of the loading gang, a position he is now filling. Mr. Sterrett is a 
young man of excellent business qualifications, and good habits, and 
his prospects for a successful future are very promising. He is well 
known throughout the city and county, and has a large circle of warm 
friends, among whom he is very popular. He is a devoted member of 
the Republican party, and socially is a member of the A. O. V. W. 
His marriage, which occurred on May 20, 1884, was to Miss Belle 
Bowling, a daughter of George D. and Anna (White) Bowling. She 
was born in Wyandotte, Kas., March 20, 1865, and her union with 
Mr. Sterrett has resulted in the birth of two children; Sallie (born 
July 5, 1885). and Alexander (born August 18, 1886). 

Martin Stewart, one of the oldest settlers of Kansas City, Kas., 
was born in Baden, Germany, in 1S24, and when seven years of age 
he was brought by his parents to America, and landed in New Orleans. 
His father, the day after their arrival in New Orleans, unfortunately 
fell a victim to vellow fever and was taken from his family after an ill 






4J 






830 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



ness of six weeks. His widow and live children afterward moved to 
Cincinnati, Ohio, where Martin was reared to manhood. The family 
brought considerable means with them to this country, but these 
means were soon exhausted by the heavy expenses that sickness brought 
upon them, and the children, though at an early age. were compelled 
to seek labor in order to earn a livelihood, which was no great hard- 
ship, as they possessed all the energy and enterprise characteristic of 
the German people. Martin Stewart has worked hard ever since eight 
years old. This to him. at first, was quite a hard struggle, but after con- 
siderable experience he found himself better qualilied to face hardships, 
and after he became twenty-one years of age, with the earnings of his 
only brother and sisters, his mother was enabled to live independently. 
She died in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Martin is the only one that now 
survives her. After Martin had attained the age of twenty one, he 
leased some land near Cincinnati, and began a career as a gardener, 
and when twenty three he was married to Miss Catherine Minnenger, 
of that city, and who was born in Hesse, Germany. She was seven 
years of age when brought to America by her parents, who also made 
it their home in Cincinnati, and where Mr. and Mrs. Minnenger died, 
the former at sixty-three and the latter at forty years of age. Mr. 
Stewart made his home in Cincinnati until 1857, when he came to 
Wyandotte, Kas. , and followed the occupation of teamster, but the fol- 
lowing year rented the farm now owned by E. D. Brown, and at the end 
of that year he purchased his present farm, now known as the Stewart 
homestead. In 1887 he rented this farm, which comprises 101 acres, 
and built himself a suburban residence, with all the modern improve- 
ments, where he now resides with his wife and three unmarried children. 
Mi-, and Mrs. Stewart have seven children, namely: Martin W. (treas- 
urer of the county), Kate A. (wife of Henry Hafner), Lizzie E. 
(wife of Ed Daniels), Celia C. (wife of Theo F. Ismert), Rosa S., 
George A. (cashier Kansas City, Kas., Savings Bank), and Henry E. 
The Stewarts are all strict members of the Roman Catholic Church, 
and are one of the oldest Catholic families in the county. The second 
mass said in this county was celebrated in Mr. Stewart's house, by Bish- 
op Miege, from Leavenworth, Kas. During the war he was lieutenant 
of the Twenty-third Cavalry of the State Militia. Politically Mr. 
Stewart is a Democrat, and as such served on^ term as county com- 
missioner. He was also one of the investigators of public schools, 
and served as director for many years. At present he is a stockholder 
and one of the directors of the Wvandotte National Bank, and stock 



^; 



Jfv 



♦• 



•vl ^ — ^ -* — ^i^, 




holder, director and vice-president of the Wyandotte Savings Bank. 
His father was a soldier in Napoleon's army, and assisted in the march 
to Russia, beinj:; in the hussars, and having six horses shot from under 
him. He was one of the six that returned alive. 

M. W. Stewart, the present county treasurer of Wyandotte County, 
Kas., was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1848, but was reared and edu- 
cated in Wyandotte County, Kas., supplementing the common school 
coiu-se with a more complete training in a commercial college, and in 
this institution became admirably tilted for the practical duties of 
life. Having been reared on a farm, he turned his attention to that 
pursuit on starting out to make his own way in the world, but after 
some time gave up this occupation to open a meat and produce e;5tab- 
lishment, and conducted this successfully for a period of five consecu- 
tive years. At the expiration of this time he returned to his farm, 
where he was engaged in speculating in various ways, and his honesty 
in dealing with his fellow-men, and his upright and clean life, coupled 
with his business capacity, brought him into jiublic notice, and he was 
nominated by the Democratic party for his present oflSce, and was 
elected in the fall of 1887, notwithstanding the fact that the county 
has a Republican majority. In the fall of 1889 he was re-elected, 
and this, as well as his first election, proves that he is a popular and 
efficient official. He was married to Miss Josie A. Beckenhauf. who 
was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, their union taking place in Kansas City, 
Mo., September 26, 1888. [For a history of Mr. Stewart's [)arents 
see sketch of Martin Stewart.] 

Samuel Stewart has been engaged in business in Kansas City, Kas. , 
since the month of June, 1884, and since April, 1887, has conducted 
affaijs on James Street, his spacious store- building being a landmark 
in this part of the citj'. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, 
June 20, 1851, his parents, James and Sarah (Mcllroy) Stewart being 
also born there about the year 1826. They were married in 1848, and 
became the j)areuts of eleven children, their names being as follows: 
John, Samiiel, Isabella. Thomas and James, living, and James, Rob- 
ert H. , Mary, William, Jennie and Sarah, deceased. The parents still 
reside in their native county. The subject of this sketch is the only 
member of the family that came to the United States, but his youth 
was spent in attending school and laboring on a farm. At the age of 
fifteen years he left home and went to Belfa.st, Ireland, where he 
served a five years' apprenticeship, learning the trade of a grocer, then 
opened an establishment of his own. and was a prosperous and sue 



rT 



Ai^ 




r«- 



cpssful grocer uf Belfast for twelve years. He was married while 
there, ou July 13, 1875, to Miss Johanna May, whose birth occurred 
in County Antrim, Ireland, June 13, 1850, a daughter of John and 
Catherine (Walker) May. In 1884 Mr. Stewart emigrated with his 
family to America, embarking at Derry on March 14, and reaching 
New York after a stormy voyage of fourteen days. After staying two 
nights in this city they started for Kansas City via Chicago, remaining 
two nights in this place, and reached their destination on April 2, es- 
tablishing the following June a grocery store at No. 15'22 East Twelfth 
Street, but in April, 1887, purchased his present establishment which 
he has conducted very successfully ever since, being now one of the 
leading grocers in his portion of the city. He endeavors in every way 
to please his patrons, and that he has succeeded in doing so is clearly 
shown by fhe large patronage he now enjoys. He and wife, who are 
members of the Presbyterian Church, have three sons: James (born 
March 18, 1877), John (born April 5, 1879), and Samuel (born Novem- 
ber 11, 1881.) 

Frederick Stockhoff. whose sketch now claims attention, is a resi- 
dent of Wyandotte Township, Wyandotte County, Kas. He was born 
in Hanover, Germany, about twelve miles from the old city of that 
name, on December 20, 1844, and was the second of the eight children 
born to his parents. The others are: Henry (who resides in Wyan- 
dotte County and married Miss Anna Winker, a native of Germany), 
Herman (who lives in Wyandotte County, is married, and devotes his 
attention to farming), Wilhelm, resident of Wyandotte County, and is 
a farmer), Joseph (who continues to makes his home in German} ), 
August (who lives in Wyandotte County), and Louise (wife of Mr. 
Doodlestadt, of Kansas City, Mo.). Mr. StockhofP's parents were both 
natives of Germany, and are both dead. He received his early educa- 
tion in the old country, and was thus fitted for the battle of life and 
to be a practical business man. He commenced a commercial career 
for himself at the age of twenty-three, without a dollar in his pocket 
and without a trade of any kind, and for many years naturally endured 
innumerable privations and often found it very difficult to provide 
himself with the necessaries of life. However, he was the fortunate 
possessor of a pair of willing hands and a vast amount of energy, and 
climbed slowly but surely to success. L'pon his arrival in the United 
States he landed in New York City and from that point went to Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, where he remained for a period of seven years, working 
in that city and also in Covington, Kv. He came to Wyandotte 



"7; 



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A 



^^ 




County in the spring of 1873, aud at once engaged in farming. At 
that time the country around here was very wild, and had fews signs 
of cultivation. Kansas City, Kas.. had only about 2,000 inhabitants, 
and laud there was worth from $20 to $40 per acre. Now Mr. Stock 
hoff owns a very valuable farm that comprises 174 acres of land that is 
vrorth fully $75 per acre, and is a highly respected man, alike in busi- 
ness and social circles. He has seen all the wonderful " ' booms ' ' that 
have visited this section of the country in the past, and is well posted 
as to the desirability of real estate. His estate lies within tive miles of 
the city limits of Kansas City, Kas., and he is comfortably fixed and 
has before him the promise of a successful future. In Cincinnati, 
Ohio, in April, 1873, Mr. Stockhoff was united in marriage with Miss 
Caroline Winkey, a native of Germany, and who was educated in her 
native place. To them have been born four children — three daughters 
and one son — viz. ; Lizzie (aged sixteen), Henry (who is thirteen years 
old), Eosa (a pretty littlp maiden of eleven summers), and Lena (aged 
eight years, and the youngest child.) In politics he has always sup- 
ported the Republican ticket, and cast his first presidential vote in the 
United States for the "soldier president," Gen. U. S. Grant. Both 
Mr. and Mrs. Stockhotf are members of the German Lutheran Church, 
and have by their strict integrity of purpose and natural kindness of 
heart won many friends during their residence in this township. 

R. F. Strain, foreman of the saw-mill and box department of Ar- 
mour Packing House, is one of the progressive and thoroughgoing bus- 
iness men of Kansas City, Kas. He was born in the Empire State, 
Rochester, on May 5, 1850, and is of Scotch descent. His father and 
mother were born in New York State, and there passed their entire 
lives. The father's name was Duncan Strain. R. F. Strain learned 
the milling business in Saginaw, Mich., whither he had removed in 
about 1870, and seven years later he came to Armour and was em- 
ployed as foreman, superintending the saw business. For four con- 
secutive years he was with and in the employment of the Hoffman 
Lumber Company, and during this time was foreman of their business 
on the east bottoms. They sawed and shipped from this county all of 
16,000,000 feet of black walnut lumber, which they shipped to East- 
ern States and to Europe. Mr. Strain returned to Armour at the end 
of the four years, and when he first commenced working for them they 
only made a few short and long clear Cumberland boxes. They are 
now averaging 5,000 boxes per day. Mr. Strain is a young man of 
excellent business abilitv, and acumen, and is bound to make his mark 



^•■. 



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^^ — ^ -^ — "k, 




iu the world. He is single, and resides at 40 North First Street, 
politics he is a stanch Republican. 

James Sullivan, a member of the city council from the First Ward, 
is a successful coal dealer of Kansas City, Kas., his place of business 
being at No. 40 Central Avenue. He was born at Paris, Ontario, Can- 
ada, and came to the States with his parents when a child, l)eing 
reared chiefly in Northern Michigan, receiving common school advan- 
tages. Being possessed with a spirit of adventure, and thinking to 
better his financial condition, he came West in 1869, settling iu the 
southern portion of the State, but about sixteen years since came to 
Kansas City, Kas., and up to 1874 resided in that city and Kansas 
City, Mo. He located here permanently in 1874, and for about six 
years worked for the Armourdale Packing Company, after which he 
embarked in the coal business, a calling that has since received Ihe 
greater part of his attention. He is a man of excellent judgment, and 
his many excellent qualities have been recognized by the residents of 
Kansas City, for he was elected a member of the city council in 1881, 
1882, 1883, 1885, 1887, 1888 and 1890, and is now discharging the du- 
ties of the same. He has always been a Democrat in his political 
views, and while running for the above-named office had no opposition 
in 1882, 1885 and 1890. He was married in Kansas City, Mo., to 
Miss Rose Gavin, a native of Ireland. His parents, James and Mary 
(Sullivan) Sullivan, being also natives of that country, but no relation. 
Mr. Sullivan is a member of the A. O. U. W. , Twin City Lodge No. 187. 

John W. Summers is a groceryman of Kansas City, Kas., but was 
born in Linn County, of this State, December 12, 1866, being a son 
of William H. and Ann R. (Harris) Summers, the former born in 
Pittsburgh, Penn. , in 1840, and the latter in West Virginia in 1845. 
William H. Summers came to Kansas with a married sister when he 
was only ten or eleven years of age, and after reaching a proper age 
he pre-empted and improved a farm in Linn County, and throughout 
the remainder of his life his attention was given to its cultivation. He 
was married, in 1860, to Miss Ann R. Harris, who bore him four chil- 
dren, of whom the siibject of this sketch was the third. He was a 
member of the State Militia during the Rebellion, and for a great 
many years he held the oflice of constable. He was a Republican 
politically, and was a man who had the confidence and respect of the 
community in which he resided, and his death, which occurred in Feb- 
ruary, 1871, was regretted by all. His wife survives him, and resides 
on the old home place in Linn County. John W. Summers has relied 



*7^ 



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^ 



upou bis own exertions for bis clothing and snbsisteuce ever since be 
was teu years of age, and being desirous of obtaining a good educa- 
tion he would labor at some remuuerative pursuit diiring the summer 
mouths and attend school in winter, continuing in this way until 1889, 
bis last term of school being in the National Business College of Kan- 
sas City, Mo., in the spring of that year. Ho thus acquired an excel- 
lent knowledge of the ordinary branches of learning, and this school- 
ing fitted him for any branch of business in which he might desire to 
engage. During the winter of 1884-85 he taught school in Sumner 
County, Kas., and during his vacations he was employed chiefly at 
the carpenter's trade, though he also at different times gave some 
attention to the printer's trade. He came to Kansas City, Kas., in 
1888, and has considered this place his home ever since. In Decem- 
ber, 1889, he opened a grocery establishment at No. 1720 Central 
Avenue as the partner of B. M. Dart, and the firm has since done a 
prosperous business. He is a young man of excellent habits, business 
as well as social, and possesses all the elements of a successful busi- 
ness man. He was married, December 24, 1888, to Miss Bessie M. 
Dart, a daughter of S. L. Dart of this city. Mr. Summers is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he and his wife are highly 
respected and liked by all who know them. 

Eli Swarts, M. D. Among the people of Kansas City, Kas., as 
well as the surrounding country, the name of Dr. Swarts has become 
well and favorably known, for he has been au active practitioner of 
this county since March 20, 1882, and has won an enviable reputation. 
He was born in Jeromeville, Wayne County, Ohio, July 24, 1835, the 
eldest of four sons born to Daniel and Hannah (Daniel) Swarts, the 
former of whom was also born in Wayne County, Ohio, his birth oc- 
ing November 26, 1810. He was reared to manhood in his native 
county, following the occupation of farming until after his removal to 
Indiana, in 1839. at which time he settled on a large tract of wild land 
in Warren County, which he began improving, erecting a dwelling- 
house and outbuildings. He was engaged in boat- building, and be- 
ing the owner of a saw- mill, he prepared his own lumber, and in this 
way made considerable money. He owned a grist mill also, it being 
the only one in the county at that day, and this was also an excellent 
source of revenue to him. After remaining on this farm for some time 
he sold out and purchased 420 acres of land, of which he was the owner 
until 1851, when he sold out and moved to Williamsport, going from 
there to Attica, Ind., soon after, where he was residing at the time of 



V 



836 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



his deatli, which occurred on December 29, 1872, he being at that time 
in comfortable circumstances. His sons are Eli, Cyrus, Daniel and 
Wintield S. The eldest of this family, Eli, removed with his father 
to Williamsport, and in this town learned the trade of a baker and 
confectioner, which calling he followed up to the time of the opening 
of the war, at which time he enlisted in Company C, Eighty sixth 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Dick and Col. Hamilton, and 
served in the Army of the Cumberland, in Rosecran's Division, taking 
an active part in the battle of Stone River, where he was quite severely 
wovinded by a minie ball. He was taken to Hospital No. 18, and at 
the end of three months was furloughed home, and was afterward 
transferred to the Second Battalion of Invalid Corps, with headquarters 
at Indianapolis, Ind. He was afterward discharged on account of his 
wounds, and returned to Attica, where he remained until 1867, when he 
went to Illinois, and opened a bakery and confectionery establishment iu 
Paris, in which business he remained until 1873, when he began the study 
of medicine in Mattoon, 111., under Dr. A. M. Henry, afterward enter- 
ing and graduating from the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, 
Ohio, receiving his diploma in 1878. He then practiced in Paris un- 
til the time of his removal to Kansas City, Kas, where he now is a well- 
known and successful praetioner. He is a member of the State Eclec- 
tic Medical Association, of Kansas, and was chosen its president in 
1886. He has always been a Democrat, and in the I. O. O. F. he has 
attained to the Encampment, and has represented his lodge in the 
Grand Lodge of the United States. He was married on March 9, 
1856, to Miss Hannah Randall, of Williamport, Ind., she being the 
seventh daughter of Benjamin O. and Sybil (Weeks) Randall, natives of 
Vermont and New Hamshire, respectively. Mrs. Swarts was born iu 
Danville, Vt., February 27, 1834, and in 1836 was taken by her parents 
to Ohio, and three years later to Franklin County, Ind., whei'e she 
was reared to womanhood. She has borne Dr. Swarts one son — James 
A., who was born in Williamsport, Ind., December 30, 1856, and was 
married December 25, 1879, to Miss Ida Bridges, who afterward died, 
leaving him with a daughter, Helen. On January 29, 1882, he mar- 
ried Miss Mary L. Schaak, who was born in Lockport, N. Y., Sep- 
tember 6, 1865, and by her has two children: James A. and John L. 
John M. Sweeney, buyer for the Kansas City Packing Comjiauy, 
was born in Canada, twelve miles from the Falls of Niagara, May 29, 
1849, his parents, Alexander and Bridget (Stanton) Sweeney, having 
been born in Ireland, a short histoi'y of their lives being given in the 

. g — « ^ 

*^^ ^ ":r e hy 




^1 



sketch of Daniel J. Sweeney. Of a family of seventeen children bom 
to this coupler, the following are living: John M. , Anthony J., Daniel 
J., James, Thomas, Alexander J. , Mary, Katie. Hugh, Edward, Frank 
and Frederick W., the eldest three sons being members of the Kansas 
City Packing Company. The early boyhood of John M. Svreeney was 
spent in Canada, learning the beef business, but at the age of eighteen 
years, he was taken to Chicago by his parents, and there spent the 
rest of his youth, and his earlj' manhood, his time being spent in the 
trade of a liutcher, a calling he has been connected with all hi.s life. 
He spent seven years as cattle buyer at Chicago, for the firm of 
Sweeney & Sons, of which he was one, after which he acted as a sales- 
man for the firm of Libby, McNeil & Libby, a packing firm of that 
city for seven years. In 1885 he went to Denver, Colo., but shortly 
after returned to Chicago, to accept a position with Philip D. Armour, 
and was manager of his interests in the city of Philadelphia, Penn., 
nearly three years. He then resigned the position, and came west to 
Kansas City, Kas., soon after securing a position with the firm of 
Jacob Dold & Son, and for that firm opened a refrigerator in Phila- 
delphia, which he managed for a little over a year. He resigned, re- 
turned to Kansas City, and has since been acting as cattle-buyer for the 
Kansas City Packing Comjiauy, and has shown excellent judgment in this 
direction. His marriage to Miss Mary O' Connell, who was born in Jef- 
ferson City, Mo., May 6. 1858, took place in 1880, and has resulted 
in the birth of six sons; De Loss, Alexander, Emery John, George An- 
thony, Joseph Adelford, Frederick Allen, and Bartholomew Francis 
(twins). Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney are members of the Catholic Church. 
-" Anthony J. Sweeney is the manager, and one of the directors and 
stockholders of the Kansas City (Kas.) Packing & Chase Refrigerat 
ing Companj', and, like his brother, Daniel J., is a native of Canada, 
his birth occiu'ring July 1, 1851. In 1867 he came with his parents 
to the United States, and was educated in Bryant & Stratton's Busi- 
ness College, of Chicago, 111. , in which city his parents had settled, 
and was graduated from the same in December of that year. The 
same month he entered the employ of Morris, Waixel & Co., with 
which firm he remained until the following spring, and then entered 
the emploj' of John O'Malley, a wholesale beef dealer, as book-keeper, 
but at the end of two years became an employe of O'Connor & Baynes 
in the same business, after which the firm changed to Sweeney & 
Baynes. Anthony J. remained with this firm for six months, and 
then, in company with his brother John, purchased the interest of 






838 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Baynes, and the firm became Sweeney & Sons, it being changed two 
years later to Sweeney & Co. The subject of this sketch then went to 
New York City and Boston, and opened branch commission houses for 
this firm. In the fall of 1873 the above firm commenced shipping 
dressed beef to the Eastern markets, being one of the pioneers in the 
dressed-beef trade, which of late years has grown to be such an im- 
mense busine.ss. In 1875 he gave up business for himself, and for 
about six months was manager of a slaughter house at Bridgeport, 
111., after which he was in the employ of Libby. McNeil & Libby, of 
Chicago, for some time, but resigning his position, he went to Denver, 
and embarked in the cattle business which he still continues, being 
the owner of a cattle and horse ranch, thirty miles from that city. He 
came to Kansas City, Kas. , in 1887, and the following year worked for 
the Jacob Dold Packing Company, as Eastern manager for the firm, 
with his office in Boston, and then for one year held the same position 
for the Kansas City Packing Company, being now manager of the 
beef department for the Kansas City Packing & Chase Refrigerating 
Company. In addition to filling this position, he is a member of the 
firm of Sweeney, Nathan & Co., of Boston, and is also Eastern man- 
ager for the Cold Blast Transportation Company Car Line. He is an 
excellent business man, and very popular with his fellows. He is a 
member of the Royal Arcanum and the A. O. U. W. ' 

DanielJ. Sweeney is a stockholder of the Kansas City Packing & 
Refrigerating Company, and being a man who possesses many sterling 
business and social qualifications, he is an acquisition to the city in 
which he resides. He was born in Dundas, Canada, May 8, 1854, his 
parents, Alexander and Bridget (Stanton) Sweeney, being natives of 
the Emerald Isle, the former of whom is now a resident of Chicago, 
III., is in his sixty-seventh year, and for the past thirteen years has 
been one of the meat inspectors of what is now the second city in the 
Union. His wife died in this city May 6, 1888, at the age of sixty- 
three years. Daniel J. Sweeney came to the United States with his 
parents, seme twentj'-five years since, and settled with them in Chicago, 
where he was reared and educated, but in 1869 he began the battle 
of life for himself, being an emploj'e of the firm of Sweeney & Baynes. 
when that firm was doing business on Kinzie Street. They were 
,burned out during the great fire of 1871, and about thirty days later 
they resumed business on the West Side, near the old Haymarket. 
Here Daniel J. was head book-keeper for some time. In 1874, when 
he engaged in the wholesale beef business, under the firm name of 



•7; 



f* 



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M±-=±- ^ — ^t^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 839 



Sweeney & Co. . their establishment was a tirst-class one, and continnetl 
so to be, until July, 1879, when Mr. Sweeney became a salesman for the 
tirm of Britten & Guth, with whom he remained for some time. In 
1887 he came to Kansas City, Kas. , and for some two years was with 
Jacob Doll, since which time he has been with his present company. 
He was married in 1883 to Miss Katie Oakey, who was born in Chi- 
cago, in 1864, and they now have two bright and interesting little chil- 
dren: Lauretta M. and Edith. Mr. Sweeney is a supporter of Demo- 
cratic principles, and is a member of the I. O. F. 

Henry S. Swingley, the subject of this important sketch, in the 
business circles of Kansas City, Kas., is a gentleman who needs no 
especial introduction to the populace of the city, nor the surrounding 
country. Mr. Swingley is the senior member of the well-known tirm 
of undertakers known as Swingley & Quarles. He is a native of Polo, 
Ogle County, 111. His father, who was a native of Hagerstown, Md , 
born in 1817, and well remembers some of his boyhood days, and was a 
merchant by profession. He is living at present, at the advanced age of 
seventy-three, and resides in Turner, Wyandotte County, Kas. The 
mother of Henry S. , Mrs. Anna Mary (Locber) Swingley, was also a 
native of Maryland. She was a lady of refined tastes, and also an ac- 
complished musician, having been liberally educated in the select 
schools of Maryland. She died at the age of sixty -one years. Her 
remains are interred in Olathe Cemetery, Johnson County, Kas. , where, 
at her head, rests a beautiful monument, sacred to her memory, erected 
by her loving sons. Mr. Swingley was the third in a family of twelve 
children: Elizabeth L. (a resident of Wyandotte County, and the 
widow of John M. Ainsworth, who was a farmer by avocation), Rosena 
E. (residing in Morris County, Kas., married to Thomas Barber, who 
is a stock-raiser), Michael S. (living in Wyandotte County, and mar- 
ried to Miss Lucy Swingley; he is a manager of the Kaw River Im- 
provement Company), James J. (single, and in Wyandotte County, is 
a dealer in general merchandise), Samuel A. (unmarried, and in Old 
Mexico, is a dealer in stock, and also engaged in mining), Mollie A 
(wife of Dr. C. L. Burke, a successful physician and surgeon of this 
county), Frank (died at the age of nineteen, while a college student), 
Charles E. (a partner with his brother James in this county), Edna E. 
(the youngest in the family, died at the age of five years). Mr. 
Swingley's early education was obtained in the common schools of Illi- 
nois, and completed in the grammar schools of Baltimore, Md., and 
naturally he is an enthusiast upon the subject of good educational prin 



^'^ 



^f^ 



^ 



HISTORY OP KANSAS. 



ciples and schools. He commenced life for himself at the age of twenty 
years. He started out as an agriculturist, for two years, with his 
brother; then, after about one year's absence in St. Louis, he and his 
brother purchased a farm in Wyandotte County, Kas. , which consisted 
of 200 acres of heavily timbered land. This was purchased as a specu- 
lation, and these enterprising and thrifty gentlemen furnished some of 
the principal railroads with ties, and also filled contracts for posts for 
the famous snow-sheds in the Rocky Mountains, besides furnishing 
wood and fuel for the Government at the frontier posts. Mr. Swing- 
ley has had a varied experience as a business man. He opened up a 
successful career as a real estate dealer in Kansas City, Mo., in the 
year 1884, and being a bustling and enterprising man, made this a sig- 
nal success. His biisiness transactions in the real estate circles were 
recognized among the leading members of the fraternity as solid and 
responsible in detail. He then disposed of his real estate interests in 
Kansas City, Mo., and immediately embarked in the livery and under- 
taking business in Kansas City, Kas. The well-known firm of Swing- 
ley & Quarles, of which he is a member, have an expert embalmer,who 
superintends in detail the imdertaking department. Their place of 
business is located at the corner of Fourth Street and Minnesota Avenue, 
and their capital amounts to $20,000. The firm is incorporated in the 
livery and undertaking business. Mr. Swingley has been successful 
in his chosen avocation above the average. He is a Democrat of the 
true Jeffersonian stripe, and a man recognized among his constituents 
as one who stands upon the true principles of Democracy. He cast 
his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden. He has aimed to sup- 
port men of principle and honor through life. Mr. Swingley com- 
menced his official life on a school board of education, as clerk, holding the 
position for three years. He was a formidable candidate for sherifP of 
Wyandotte County, Kas., on the Democratic ticket in the year 1883, 
and though the race which he made was decidedly a commendable 
one, his opponent defeated him by only sixty four votes of the to- 
tal vote polled. In 188n he made another race, for the office of regis- 
ter of deeds, and was defeated by but nineteen votes. The county of 
Wyandotte being Republican by a majority of 1,300, and the princi- 
ples which Mr. Swingley siastains being purely Democratic, his popu- 
larity as a man of integrity and honor will be at once clearly seen. He 
was a delegate from the Second Congressional District of Kansas to 
the National Democratic Convention, held in St. Louis, Mo., where 
Hon. Grrover Cleveland was unanimouslj' nominated for President of 

" ^ S r- T^ • "V 



aT^ — ^ 



.1 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 841 



the United States. He is at present secretary of the Second Congres- 
sional District of Kansas. He is a member of the Masonic lodge of 
Kansas City, Kas. , and a member of the K. P. lodge; also a member 
of the A. O. U. W. He is a devoted member of the Reformed Church, 
of Kansas City, Mo. He is a gentleman who has been open -handed 
in the Isenevolences which have been presented him for his worthy con- 
sideration. Mr. Swingley is single in life, has an extensive business, 
and is also the owner and proprietor of two excellent farms, lying 
within five miles of the city limits of this place. He is honored and 
respected for his honesty of purpose, and considers his word as his 
bond. Here he will make his future abiding place, where his interests 
are, and here he will enjoy the esteem of a wide circle of acquaint- 
ances. 

J. J. Swingley is the senior member of the well-known general 
mercantile firm of Swingley Bros., of Turner, Wyandotte County, 
Kas., and it may be truly remarked that no more honorable or upright 
business man exists in the county than he. He was born in Ogle 
County, 111., January 23, 1852, being the fifth of eight children born 
to Samuel N. and Anna M. (Locher) Swingley, natives of Maryland, 
the former born October 22, 1817, in Washington County, and the 
latter in Baltimore, in July, 1824. Mr. Swingley resided in the State 
of his birth until he attained manhood, and received the advantages of 
a good common-school education, and also acquired a thorough knowl- 
edge of mercantile life. In 1843 he became associated in this business 
with George W. Shearwood & Swingley, the latter being a relative, 
but afterward headed a party fi'om Maryland, and settled in Ogle 
County, 111., the land at that time not being in the market. They 
were instrumental in starting the town of Mount Morris, and here Mr. 
Swingley remained until 1861. His father, Michael Swingley died 
herein 1848, his widow passing from life in 1853. While in Illinois, 
Mr. Swingley was engaged chiefly in farming, and this calling he con- 
tinued to follow from 1861 to 1881, a farm of 127 acres, which he 
purchased in 1865, being the scene of his labors. On coming to 
Wyandotte County, in 1880, he purchased a small farm on a portion 
of which he founded the town of Turner. He was married in Mary- 
land in 1842, to Anna Mary Locher, but he was called iipon to mourn 
her death February 9,1885, she having borne him the following family 
of children: Elizabeth (wife of John M. Ainsworth), Emma R. (wife of 
Thomas Barber), Henry S., Michael S., James J. (the subject .of this 
sketch), Samuel, Mollie (wife of Dr. C. L. Burke), and Charles. J. J. 



^1 



'k 



842 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



Swingley spent his youth in Johnson County, Kas., and besides be- 
ing an attendant of the common schools of that county, he also took a 
commercial course in Olathe College, and at the age of twenty-five 
years became a school teacher, following this calling for two years. 
At the end of this time he began manufacturing cigars and dealing in 
domestic and imported tobaccos, but at the end of three years he moved 
to Turner, and in addition to keeping this class of goods added a gen- 
eral stock, the post-office of Turner also being held in their store. He 
is associated in business with a younger brother, Charles E., both of 
whom are unmarried. He was a member of Company D, of the Na- 
tional Guards, at Olathe, for five years, and was a member of the 
crack company, which, during his membership, took part each year in 
the State conte.st, and was successful in securing the first honors and 
prizes of the Encampment. Since his residence in Wyandotte County 
he has taken an active interest in such matters and assisted in drilling 
the young ladies in the recent Business Men's Carnival in Argentine. 
He, like his ancestors before him, has always been a Democrat, and 
has held a number of offices in his township. In 188-t he was ap- 
pointed postmaster of Turner, a position he is still filling. He is a 
member of Cincinnati Lodge No. 91, of the K. of P., of Argentine, 
and has held different offices in this order, among which was chan- 
cellor commander. In February, 1887, he was commissioned notary 
public, and in 1888 tilled the unexpired term of A. A. Lovelace, as 
county commissioner, and in the fall of that year made the race for 
the office against John Steffens, but was defeated by a majority of 
thirteen. He is an earnest member of the Congregational Church. 
Albert G. Talbott, real estate broker. The magnitude of the real 
estate interests of Kansas City, Kas., and the incessant activity in the 
market, have enlisted the services of manj' of her most responsible, 
sagacious and honorable citizens, and among the number is Mr. Tal- 
bott, whose life, like that of all truly self-made men, has been very 
interesting, and a few facts connected therewith will not be out of 
place. When only twelve years of age, he left his home in Indiana, 
and embarked for the gold regions of California, via New York and 
the Isthmus of Panama, and upon reaching the " Eldorado of America " 
he at once began to look about him for something to do. He some- 
time afterward engaged in mining, and in a short time young Talbott 
had accumulated a handsome amount of money. He then went to San 
Francisco and engaged in the money broker business, his office being at 
84 Montgomery Street, Brannan's Block, and here he remained until 



*7i*- 



■»V 



^: 



k. 



1 



WYANDOTTE COUNT V. 843 



he lost ill mining stocks 8150,000. This was the needed impetus to 
cause him again to strike out for a more congenial and healthful climate, 
and this time he tinally turned up in the gold-bearing regions of Idaho, 
where he soon after conceived the idea of building a good mountain 
wagon-road from Boise City, in the valley of Boise River, to Idaho 
City, in the mountains, and acting upon this idea, he at once set to 
work to secure a charter from Ada County, of which Idaho City was 
the county seat, for a toll road running twenty years, from Boise to 
Idaho Cities. On March 4, 1865, he hired his men and teams, and 
by May 1, 1865, he had completed and thrown open to the public as 
fine a wagon-road as could have been found in any mountainous coun- 
try. By the 1st of November following, he had paid for the building 
of the road, and had $20,000 left, to show the correctness of his judg- 
ment. In November, 1865, a fire swept the business portion of Idaho 
City, and Mr. Talbott, seeing that he had made the bulk of profit out 
of the road, sold it to Henry Greathouse, of the Oregon & Idaho 
Stage Company. Being then possessed of a desire to see once more 
an entirely civilized section of the United States, he started eastward, 
leaving Boise City for Fort Benton with twenty wagons and teams in 
April, I860, and on May 12 arrived at the latter place. On May 14 he 
took passage on the fir.st return boat of the season, steamer " St. John," 
of St. Louis, for Omaha, Neb., and here, following the advice of some 
old school friends, he made investments which resulted in the loss of 
nearly all his hard-earned money. He then decided to seek fresh 
fields, and immediately took passage on a steamer bound south, and 
visited nearly all the southern cities of any importance. In February, 
1868, while in New Orleans, meditating whether to go back to Cali- 
fornia or return North, be decided to trust to chance, and taking 
a copper cent from his pocket he tossed it up, saying, " Heads up, I 
go to California; tails up, I go to Leavenworth, Kas." Tails came 
up, and on April 1 he took a steamer for the latter place, and in a 
short time had made many friends and acquaintances in Leavenworth. 
He was given a position on the old Leavenworth Bulletin, and was 
one of the men who rendered most valuable service on that paper 
when A. Caldwell was brought out and elected United States Senator, 
from Leavenworth, in 1872. When the Times and Bulletin were 
merged in the spring of 1872, he became its advertising man, and 
after the paper was purchased by Col. D. R. Anthony, he was retained 
and soon after jsromoted to the position of business manager of the 
paper. In this position he displayed much abilitj^, but becoming 



^•vh 



844 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



wearied of a constantly confining position, be, in October, 1878, re- 
signed, and started for tbe soutbwest portion of Kansas, and for some 
time was engaged in tbe land and insurance business, in Edwards 
County. After a year of prosperity be lost all be bad, and as tbe 
outlook for tbe future was not promising, be immediately pulled up 
stakes and started for Wyandotte, wbicb place be reacbed on April 
14, 1880. He at once took a position under L. H. Wood, and after 
remaining witb bim six montbs, be became a member of tbe firm of 
Wood & Talbott, and tbey conducted a general real estate and insur- 
ance business. In 1882 be sold bis interest to bis partner, and took a posi- 
tion as special agent for Kansas for tbe " Continental " Fire Insurance 
of New York, and after traveling over tbe State constantly for tbree 
years, be resigned bis position on account of ill bealtb, and again, in 
1884, engaged in tbe real estate and insurance business, a calling 
wbicb bas since received bis attention, and it may be truly said tbat 
be bas sold more land adjacent to tbe city, and a greater number of 
lots and city property, than any otber one man ia tbe consolidated 
cities of Kansas City, Kas. Having grown up witb tbe many great 
property cbanges, and baving manipulated so many sales and pur- 
cbases, bis good judgment is said to be second to none on values, and 
be is daily asked to pass judgment on all classes of values. He is 
doing a substantial business, and bas tbe entire confidence of all wbo 
know bim. He pays every attention to tbe interests of non-residents, 
wbo botb seek investments in tbe great metropolis of Kansas, and wbo 
desire some reliable person to take cbarge of and look after their al- 
ready secured interests. Parties wbo wish to invest, or have invested, 
will receive tbe utmost attention from Mr. Talbott, and will leam tbat 
be is truly tbe right man in the right place. In 1884 be was elected 
a member of tbe Republican State Central Committee, and was chosen 
one of tbe five of tbe Executive Committee to plan and manage tbe 
State campaign which elected John Martin, of Atchison, governor. 
Since be attained bis majority, be has at all times taken an active part 
in politics, and bas wielded a great influence in city and county affairs. 
He is an enthusiastic admirer of the old Whig party, and believes tbat 
no party can maintain America's free and liberal Government but the 
Republican party of to-day. 

W. H. Taylor, of English birth and a man yet fairly in the prime 
of life, learned the machinist's trade in his native country, and was 
there married. Emigrating to America, be located at Evansville, Ind., 
where for a number of years be was employed as superintendent in the 



':F7=^ " ^^=^F 



^^=^ '. -"— ^ l^> 




shops of the first railroad at that point. Daring the fifties he and a 
partner brought a grist-mill to Quindaro, which they operated for a 
time, but which, owing to a lack of patronage, proved a losing venture. 
Mr. Taylor then went to Leavenworth, and was master mechanic in 
the shops of the railroad company there that at that time operated only 
two engines. For ten or twelve years he remained at that place, then 
engaged in agricultural pursuits, but later again resumed railroading, 
occupying the same position he formerly held. For the past number 
of years he has farmed, and throughout all his diversified career it 
can be said that he has made a success. Recently he sold thirteen 
acres from his farm to a pressed brick company, and it now produces 
some of the finest brick manufactured. Mr. Taylor has four sons and 
a wife living, and the family are among the well-known and respected 
families of the county. 

William B. Taylor is one of the influential residents of Kansas City, 
Kas. , and is the present commissioner of elections in that place. He 
was born in Ellenville, Ulster County, N. Y., December 30, 1855, and 
like all native New Yorkers he is enterprising, industrious, intelligent 
and public spirited. His parents, Richard B. and Rachel A. (Brod- 
head) Taylor were born in Franklin County, Mass., March 29, 1822, 
and Ulster County, N. Y., March 1, 1829, respectively. The paternal 
grandfather, William Taylor, was born in the "Bay State," and his 
father, William Taylor, was a captain in the Revolutinary War. The 
maternal grandparents, William and Susan Brodhead were born in 
New York State, their ancestors having been residents of that State for 
several generations and among its leading families. Richard and Ra- 
chel Taylor were married March 22, 1851, and William B. Taylor, the 
subject of this sketch, is their only child. The father was a journal- 
ist by profession, and after locating in Kansas City, Kas., in July, 1858, 
he became connected with the Wyandotte Gazette, and in 1860 became 
its sole proprietor. He conducted it very successfully until his death, 
which occurred March 24, 1877, being still survived by his widow, her 
home being now with her sou William B. The latter has resided in 
Kansas City ever since he was two years old, and his early educational 
training was received in the public schools of the city, and in the State 
Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kas. In 1877 he graduated from 
the Law Department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. 
Upon the day he graduated, his father died, and instead of entering 
upon the practice of his profession as he had intended, he was obliged to 
take charge of the paper which his father had so long edited. He 



^^ 



846 



HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



edited and published the Gazette until October, 1879, when he sold 
the establishment to Messrs. Armstrong & Meyer, and he has since 
given his attention principally to mercantile pursuits and to the man- 
agement of his real estate interests which are somewhat extensive. In 
March, 1889, he was appointed commissioner of elections for Kansas 
City, by Gov. Humphrey, and his term of office will expire in March, 
1893. On November 17, 1879, he was married to Miss Flora Cook, the 
only child of the late Henry W. Cook of this city. Mr. and Mrs. 
Taylor have three children: Ethel C, Mabel B. and Kachel. Mr. 
Taylor is an enthusiastic Mason, especially in the higher degrees of 
the order, and was for several years eminent commander of Ivanhoe 
Commandery No. 21, K. T. He also belongs to the order of the 
Mystic Shrine. He has always been an ardent supporter of Re- 
publican principles, and is influential in the councils of his party. 
Although a young man he is one of the pioneer residents of the town, 
and is one of her wide-awake and public-spirited citizens. While the 
Wyandotte Gazette was in the hands of his father, the late Hon. K. 
B. Taylor, it was one of the leading journals of the State, and was one 
of the first papers to be printed in the same. Mr. Taylor, Sr., was the 
first president of the Kansas Editorial Association, and of the Kansas 
Historical Association. He was also a member of the State Legisla- 
ture, and occupied other positions of trust and responsibility; and his 
name is indissolubly linked with the memory of the struggle of the 
earlier settlers of Kansas, the story of whose heroic achievements will 
ever adorn some of the brighest pages in the history of the Sunflower 
State. 

Prof. Edward F. Taylor, superintendent of Wyandotte County Pub- 
lic Schools, Kansas City, Kas. In including in this work sketches of 
the lives of prominent young men, it would be an omission to be regretted 
not to include an outline, at least, of the life of Mr. Taylor, who has been 
a resident of Wyandotte County since 1869. He was born in Will 
County, 111., in 1868, and is a son of David G. and Sarah F. (Franklin) 
Taylor, natives of New York and Iowa, respectively. The father is a 
farmer by occupation and is held in high esteem by all acquainted 
with him. Edward F. Taylor came with his parents to Wyandotte 
County, Kas., in 1869, and after attending the district schools for a 
number of terms, and the Wyandotte Academy a couple of years, 
taught school for two more years. After this he entered the State 
Normal at Emporia, Kas., and there remained one year. He has fol- 
lowed the teacher's profession ever since, and is one of the most 



l^ 



jdi 



h^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



847 



prominent and successful iustiuctors in the county. He taugbt first 
in the ungraded schools and later became principal of the graded 
school at Edwardsville, where he remained for some time. He then 
came to Kansas City, Kas., and was first assistant in what is now 
Woodstreet School for one year. After this he was promoted to prin- 
cipal of Everett School, where he remained one year, being promoted 
to the charge of the commercial department of the high school of Kan- 
sas City, and by virtue of the position first assistant of the high 
school. He was selected school superintendent of Wyandotte County, 
in the fall of 1888, by the largest majority ever recorded in the county, 
and still holds the position. His career in this position has been so 
well known to the citizens of Wyandotte County that we feel it un- 
necessary to add any words of commendation; to say that he has 
filled the office in a capable and satisfactory manner expresses a truth 
all will support. His marriage with Miss Carrie H. Holbrook was 
consummated in Kansas City, Kas., in 1888. Mr. Taylor is a mem- 
ber of Wyandotte Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A. M. ; of Myrtle Lodge 
No. 1, K. of P., and of Mendias Chapter, O. E. S. 

G. A. Taylor. The Argentine Bank was organized and opened for 
business February 1, 1887, with Mr. G. A. Taylor as its cashier and 
manager, which position he still holds, the owners and proprietors be- 
ing n" McAlpine, G. A. Taylor and J. F. Barker. The bank is now 
one of the best established in the county, and has an individual re- 
sponsibilitv of $1,500,000. Mr. G. A. Taylor was born in Geneva, 
Walworth' County, Wis., August 9, 1864. He was reared on his 
father's farm, and in addition to a common- school education attended 
the Wyandotte Academy and the State Normal School, in this State. 
He came to Wyandotte County, Kas., with his parents, in 1870, and 
after finishing his education, taught school in Wyandotte County for 
four years. He holds one of the highest grade certificates ever issued 
by Kansas City, Kas. He then entered the Armourdale Bank, which 
was the first bank in Armourdale, and was controlled by N. Mc- 
Alpine, A. W. Little and G. A. Taylor. The capital of said bank 
being paid to Mr. G. A. Taylor, as assistant cashier, as he was the 
best acquainted with the people of the community. His character 
and business ability, for a young man, have but few equals, and his 
reputation as an honest, conscientious young man is widely known and 
recognized. He resigned his connection and sold his interest in the 
Armourdale Bank in January, 1887, to organize the Argentine Bank, 
which he opened February 1, as has l)een stated. He occupies a most re- 



^1 



848 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



sponsible position in his community, and Las the unbounded confidence 
of all who know him. He was married, August 20, 1889, to Miss Edith 
B. Ainsworth, the only daughter of Mrs. E. L. Ainsworth, of Turner, 
Kas., who has been a resident of Wyandotte County for more than 
twenty years. Mr. Taylor is a Knight Templar Mason, and is also a 
member of the K. of P., and O. I. H. His parents, David G. and 
Sarah F. Taylor, were natives of New York and Iowa, respectively. 
His father is a successful agriculturist, and resides in Wyandotte 
Township, Wyandotte County, Kas. 

Theodore Teepen, grocer. Among those prominently identified 
with the retail grocery trade at Kansas City, Kas., is Mr. Teepen, who 
ojiened his establishment some five years ago, and during the period 
that has since elapsed, a large trade has been built up which is con- 
stantly increasing. He was born in Lingen, Prussia, April 2, 1844, to 
Theodore and Sene Teepen who spent their entire lives in Prussia. 
The father was a blacksmith by trade and this calling he followed all 
his life with the exception of seven years which were spent in the 
German military service. The father of these children died in 1858 
and the mother in 1875, their children being as follows: Jacob, Ger- 
hard, Hermann, Barney, Sene and Theodore. Hermann, Barney and 
Theodore are the only ones now living, the first named being a resident 
of his native land, and the two latter of Kansas City, Kas. Theodore 
Teepen attended school in his native land until he was fourteen years 
of age, and as soon as he became old enough, when not in school, he 
assisted his father in the blacksmith shop. After the father's death, 
which occurred about the time Theodore left school, he began working 
as a journeyman at blacksmithing, and this occupation continued to 
follow until he reached the age of twenty-one. In 1866 he went to 
Holland, where he followed his trade for nearly a year, but in the 
spring of 1867 he started for America, crossing the English Channel to 
Hull, England, and there boarding a train for Liverpool, at which place 
he embarked for the United States. In due season he landed at New 
York City, and at once started for the West, but stopped when he 
reached Cincinnati, Ohio, where, for three years, he was employed as 
a car inspector. In the spring of 1870 he came to Kansas and located 
in Wyandotte, which place has been his home ever since. He continued 
in the capacity of car inspector for about fifteen years, being in the 
employ of the Kansas Pacific road seven years, and the Union Pacific 
eight years. In June, 1885, he established a grocery store and meat- 
market at Nos. 813 and813| Minnesota Avenue, and his entire atten- 



^7=^ lyH 



^1 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 849 



tion has since been given to their management. By reason of his long 
residence and wide acquaintance here before he engaged in business, 
it took him only a short time to build up a good trade, and it has 
steadily increased until he now has a lirst-class patronage. His place 
of business embraces two departments, one of which contains a first- 
class stock of groceries and the other a clean and well conducted meat- 
market. Mr. Teepen's well established good citizenship, and his 
desire to satisfy the public have made his place of business a popular 
one. He is honorable in every worthy particular, a substantial citizen, 
and he, his wife and family are among the most highly respected of 
the German citizens of this place. Mary Pueniug who was born in 
Prussia, January 25, 1850, became his wife on February 2, 1871. 
She came to America in 1868, and her union with Mr. Teepen has re- 
sulted in the birth of six children: Henry, Josephine, Theodore, Mary, 
Aloysius and Anna. Josephine and Anna, only are living. Mr. and 
Mrs. Teepen and daughters are members of the Catholic Church. 
Mrs. Teepen's parents, William and Mary Elizabeth (Beekman) Puen- 
ing, were native Germans, the former dying on February 1, 1863. 
The latter is still living, as are also five of the six children she bore her 
husband: Louisa, Mary, Caroline, Josephine and Anna. Frank died 
in his fourteenth year. The father of Mrs. Teepen was a tailor by 
trade, but during the early part of his life spent several years in the 
military service. Mrs. Teepen is the only one of her father's family 
that came to the United States, this being in 1868. After spending a 
year and a half in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she and Mr. Teepen became 
acquainted, they were manied and came West. Josephine, their eldest 
daughter is a graduate of Mount St. Mary's Convent, near Leaven- 
worth, Kas., her birth having occurred on October 25, 1873. Henry 
was born on December 17, 1872, and died December 18, 1872. Theodore 
was born December 4, 1875, and died of spinal meningitis, after an 
illness of twenty-four hours, September 12, 1886. Mary was born 
March 10, 1878, and died April 30, 1879. Aloysius was born April 2, 
1880, and died April 3, 1880, Anna was born March 9, 1881. 

William Telker, farmer. Bethel, Kas. Mr. Telker is only one 
of the many prominent citizens of foreign birth now residing in Wy- 
andotte County, who by their industry and perseverance have become 
successful in their different callings. He was born in Hanover on 
July 13, 1850, and is the son of Henry Telker, who was a mechanic 
and farmer in the old country. The father reared four sons: George, 
Henry, Herman, and William, our subject, being the youngest of the 






850 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



family, and of these Herman is living in Cincinnati, engaged in the 
commission business. The other two, George and Henry, still remain 
in the old country. The father died about eighteen years ago. Will- 
iam Telker grew to manhood in Germany, attended the schools of that 
country for about eight years, and after his school days were over he 
worked for two years for his father. At the age of nineteen years he 
came to America to escape the military duties imposed upon him, 
and landing in Baltimore, he went on to Cincinnati. Making his 
home there, he worked at the furniture business, working at one place 
live years, and at another sis years. On February 27, 1878, he came 
to Wyandotte, bought a farm of forty-six acres, and afterward bought 
ten acres more. This he improved, then sold out and bought seventy 
acres, where he now resides, to which he added forty acres more, which 
makes him a nice little farm of 110 acres. He bought the farm owned 
by old man Ketchum and son. a Delaware Indian. Mr. Telker does a 
general farming business, but is gradually converting it into a fruit 
farm. He was married in Cincinnati on September 29, 1874, to Miss 
Minnie Striehtmann, a native of Cincinnati, and of the five children 
born to them three of them are sons and two daughters: Alma (fifteen), 
Herman (thirteen), Otto (eleven), John (nine), and Ida (five years of 
age). Mr. Telker and wife are members of the German Lutheran 
Church. In politics he leans toward the Republican party, but in 
local politics he votes for the man coming to this State a poor man. 
Mr. Telker has made all he has by industry and good management. 

Dr. Asa Peaslee Teuney is one of the ablest physicians of Wyan- 
dotte County, Kas., and possesses a full share of the public patronage, 
having the full confidence of his patrons. He was born in Concord, 
N. H. , September 21, 1833, and was a son of Rev. Asa Peaslee Ten- 
ney, a Congregational minister, who, for thirty-four years was pastor 
of a church at that place. He was a native of Newbury, Vt. , a son 
of Jonathan Tenney, the first members of the family coming from 
England. Dr. Asa Peaslee Tenney was the second of six children — 
three sons and three daughters — one son and two daughters being 
now deceased. His advantages for acquiring a good education were 
excellent, and after reaching his twenty-third year he took up the 
study of medicine, and in the fall of that year went to Boston, where 
he studied two years under the preceptorship of Dr. John F. Jarvis, 
afterward taking three courses of lectures in the Harvard Medical Col- 
lege, graduating March 3, 1859. Meanwhile, in 1858, he was ap- 
pointed assistant physician of the Boston Lunatic Hospital, which 



«?!« ^ -^ »fV 



^\b 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



851 



positioa he held for about a year and a half, continuing his medical 
studies under the direction of Dr. Clement A. Walker, of Boston. In 
the fall of 1859 he was appointed assistant physician of the Illinois 
State Hospital for the insane of Jacksonville, 111., but after filling this 
position very acceptably for five years, he returned to Concord, N. H. , 
and there practiced his profession for three years, but at the end of 
that time returned to Illinois, and settled at Bloomington, where he 
eventually built up a large practice. In 1877 he was appointed 
superintendent of the Insane Hospital, at Osawatomie, Kas., but at 
the end of one year he settled in Atchison, remaining there until he 
received the appointment of superintendent of the Insane Hospital, at 
Topeka, and held this position two years. In 1885 he located in Kan- 
sas City. Kas. , where he has become widely and favorably known. The 
Doctor" was married on September 21, 1863, to Miss Minerva Tenney, 
of Binghamton, N. Y., by whom he has had four children; Only two of 
whomj^Emily and Edwin Roy, are living. Edward, the first-born, died 
in infancy; Walter H., the second died in Atchison, Kas., aged twelve 
years. The Doctor and his wife are consistent members of the 
Congregational Church, and he is a Mason, and has attained to the 
Knight Templar's degree in that order, and has also reached the four- 
teenth degree in the Scottish Rite. He is also an Odd Fellow, and a 
K. of P. He belongs to the examining board for pensions, and is at 
present surgeon for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He belongs to the 
Eastern District Medical Society and the Kansas State Medical 
Society. 

Rev. Augustus H. Tevis, A. M., M. D., D. D. The scholarly 
subject of this sketch is a native of Rush County, Ind., born on his 
father's farm May 13, 181], and was the ninth child of a family of 
three sons and seven daughters, five of whom are now dead. His par- 
ents were Dr. Daniel H. and Phoeba (Scott) Tevis, the former having 
been a large and lucrative practice. He (Dr. Daniel H.) was born in 
Bracken Countv, Ky., and was quite a scholar as a linguist, being 
proficient in both Latin and Greek. The elder Dr. Tevis died in 
1858, and his widow in 1862, both of whom are buried in Rush County, 
Ind. After his father's death, the management of the extensive farm- 
ing operations, embracing several large farms, left by him, all de- 
volved on Augustus H., then only seventeen years old. In 1860 he 
entered Asbury L'niversity, at Greencastle, Ind., then under the con- 
trol of Bishop Bowman. Early in the beginning of the civil troubles, 
however, yoimg Tevis left college, to volunteer like a true patriot, and 



4 



4* 



852 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



aid in suppressing the Rebellion. He enlisted in September, 1861, 
and became second lieutenant in Company H, Thirty-seventh Indiana 
Volunteers. He was in active service for over three years, participat- 
ing in many hard battles, fights and skirmishes, including Stone River, 
New Hope Church, Resaca, before Atlanta, and numerous others. At 
Stone River he was slightly wounded, and soon after was promoted 
to a first lieutenancy. He was mustered out in November, 1864, and 
soon re-entered the same institution he had left to join the army. In 
the close of 1868 he was graduated therefi'om, and in due course was 
honored with the degree of A. M. On August 6, following, he married 
Sallie A. Webster, daughter of Dr. E. Webster, of Connersville. Ind. 
Two daughters have been born to this union. Dr. Tevis' first charge 
as pastor was that of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Liberty, 
Union County, Ind., he having received the degree of D. D., it having 
been conferred upon him by the celebrated McKendree College at 
Lebanon, 111. Following this he was stationed at Wooster and Tay- 
lorville, and was next elected as superintendent of city schools at 
Madison, Ind., where he served one year. His conference then sent 
him to Palestine; thence again to Peru, from which latter charge he 
was transferred, by Bishop Peck, to Carson City, Nev. , where he re- 
mained two years, and was chaplain both of the Legislature and of 
the State prison. It was while there he went into print as an author, 
and wrote his "Jesuitism, the Bible and the Schools," and also his 
"Beyond the Sieras," published by Lippincott & Co., of Philadelphia. 
He also corresponded for various newspapers and literary journals. 
Santa Barbara, Cal., was his next charge, and from thence he went to 
San Diego. The ill health of his family necessitated his return to 
Indiana in 1879, and he having already read medicine studiously, en- 
tered the medical college at Indianapolis, from which he soon after 
graduated as M. D. He was then sent by Bishop Wiley to Spring- 
field, Mo., where he was pastor of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church 
till the spring of 1883, when he retired therefi-om. He was placed in 
charge of the Summit Street Methodist Ejjiscopal Church at Kansas 
City, Mo., occupying the pulpit of this church one year, when, in 1886, 
he made a change from the St. Louis to the Kansas Conference, where 
he accepted the pastorate of the Kansas Avenue Methodist Episcopal 
Church at Atchison, Kas., remaining in charge of this church for three 
years, accepting, in October, 1889, the charge of the Washington 
Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, Kansas City, Kas., where he is 
still pastor. Besides his more solid literary attainments, Dr. Tevis has 



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,[> 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



853 



paid considerable attention to art, and is qnite proficient in music and 
painting, and has bis home decorated with a number of paintings, in- 
dicative of true art, produced by himself and wife. He has had many 
of his sermons published, which rank him high as a theologian. He 
has published a book of considerable merit on infidelity, considered in 
relation to its evil effects, as contrasted with Christianity. Had it not 
been for the assassination of President Garfield Dr. Tevis would doubt- 
less have received the appointment to the Jerusalem consulate, for 
which he had received the recommendation of most public men of 
Washington. Zealous in his ministerial work, fully imbued with a 
love for mankind and a hearty desire for their spiritual and mental 
elevation, always a student, and given to habits of indefatigable re- 
search, Dr. Trevis is one of those rare men who constitute a valuable 
requisition to any community, while the high social qualities of himself 
and wife render their companionship in the keenest sense enjoyable, 
and win them hosts of friends wherever they are known. The Doctor 
is an active Prohibitionist in principle, and a Republican in politics. 

John A. Textor, farmer and horticulturist, Kansas City, Kas. Of 
those of foreign birth now residing in Wyandotte County, Kas., none 
are more industrious and enterprising than those of German descent. 
Mr. Textor, one of the prominent, and much esteemed citizens of the 
county, owes his nativity to Bavaria, Germany, his birth occurring 
near the old city of Minchen, April 23, 1848, and needs but little in- 
troduction to the people of Wyandotte County. He emigrated from 
his fatherland when but five years of age, and landed with his parents 
in New York City, where he spent three years. After this he spent 
two years and a half in Philadelphia, from there he went to St. Louis, 
thence to Clinton County, 111., where he remained sis years, and then re- 
turned to St. Louis, where he made his home until 1876, when he 
emigrated to Wyandotte County, Kas. He was the eldest of twelve 
children— six sons and six daughters— six of whom are living at the 
present time, viz. : Johanna (resides in Wyandotte County, and is the 
wife of Albert Garnier, who is a successful horticulturist), Chriscentia 
(resides in St. Louis, and is the wife of Earnest Kearcher, who is a 
merchant there), Eosina (resides in Philadelphia, Penn., and is the 
wife of George Daenzer, who is a showcase manufacturer at that 
place). Frances (resides in Philadelphia, and is a dressmaker by occu- 
pation), and George (resides in St. Louis, married Miss Lena Trapp, 
and is a tine musician). The father of these children was also a native 
of Germany, and was a brewer by trade. He is now deceased, and his 



*7: 



9 fy 



854 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



remains are interred in St. Louis, Mo. The mother, who was also a 
native of Germany, is also deceased. Both were well educated. The 
father was a great student and reader, was unusually well educated, 
and was a fine conversationalist. He was a great traveler; had been 
all over Russia, Germany, Switzerland, France, Holland, and spent 
about eight years in going from one country to the other. John A. 
Textor received his early education in the public schools, and after- 
ward took a full course in Jones' College in St. Louis. He was a 
rectifier of spirits by profession, and carried on this business for four 
years at a large salary. He started out for himself at the age of 
twenty-four years with limited means, but with a willing pair of hands, 
and a business tact and acumen which were his guiding stars to his 
signal success in life. He married Miss AnnaBenz, a native of Baden, 
Germany, born September 1, 1849, in St. Louis, in September, 1873. 
She was educated in the German language in Baden, and is also well 
educated in the English language. To this union has been born one 
little son, Edward Frederick, who is now six years of age. Mr. Textor 
has always been identified with the Eejiublican party, has been 
an active politican in his township, and his influence is percep- 
tibly felt over the entire township. He is a gentleman who has always 
endeavored to exercise his franchise for men of principle and honor. 
Mr. Textor was deputy sheriff of Wyandotte County, for a term of 
two years," and he admirably filled this position to the satisfaction of 
all his friends and his party. He is chairman of the Wyandotte 
Township Central Committee, has held this important post for four 
years, and has been an active member of the Board of Education, in his 
district for nine years. When he first entered the office the district was in 
debt $140, and besides this they were compelled to borrow $160 for 
teacher' s salary. Mr. Textor is at present clerk of the board, and the 
district has erected new outbuildings, put in new furniture, repaired 
the house, and have about $1,100, in the treasurer's hands, thus show- 
ing the excellent ability Mr. Textor has as a man of business, and also 
shows that the utmost confidence has been placed in him throughout. 
Mr. Textor is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has been since he was 
twenty- two years of age. He is of the opinion that the Farmers' Al- 
liance is a great move for the interests of the farmers, if they will 
only cling together. Mr. and Mrs. Textor are devout members of the 
German Catholic Church, in Wyandotte, Kas., and they have contrib- 
uted to all benevolent and charitable callings which have been before 
their worthy consideration. When he first came here Mr. Textor pur- 



r 



^i 



14 "V^ 



^ 



-^ 



1 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 855 



chased twenty-eight acres of land at 145 per acre, and this property 
lies at the present time within a distance of two miles of the city limits 
of Kansas City, Kas. When he first came here his present beautiful 
and valuable farm was a perfect wilderness and thicket, the only habi- 
tation to lie seen being an old Indian hut. Wyandotte City contained 
a population of scarcely 700. Mr. Textor is a very industrious citizen, 
and has beautified his tine property to such an extent, that it is one of 
the most valuable on Minnesota Avenue. He values his land at $1,000 
per acre, but does not care to sell. His place of residence is near or 
will be in the limits of the city at no distant day. His residence is 
neat and comfortable, and his outbuildings are commodious and sub- 
stantial. He is a model farmer and horticulturist, aod among the 
leading varieties of fruit raised on his place are the following: Apples, 
cherries, peaches, pears, plums, crab-apples, etc., and in small fruit he 
has strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, currants and standard va- 
rieties of grapes. Besides this he raises a great many of the standard 
vegetables. Mr. and Mrs. Textor have witnessed the wonderful 
growth made in the country in the time they have been here, and in their 
own place they have made many and vast improvements. The best of 
this is that they have made it all by their own efforts, and by hard 
labor and great perseverance. Here they expect to make their future 
home, where, surrounded by friends, who hold them in high esteem, 
they will pass the remainder of their days. 

George Tbiret, farmer and horticulturist, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. 
Thiret resides on Section 1, Wyandotte Township, Wyandotte County, 
and is recognized as one of the leading farmers and horticulturists of 
the county. His farm is situated three miles west of Kansas City, 
and consists of 116 acres of mostly improved land. Mr. Thiret owes 
his nativity to Pennsylvania, his birth occurring near Pittsburgh, Feb- 
ruary 21, 1845, and is the youngest of four children: John M. (married, 
resides in Pennsylvania, and is a carpenter and joiner by trade), Cath- 
erine (died at the age of about forty years, was married), and Nich- 
olas (who is a blacksmith and mechanic by trade, and also resides in 
Pennsylvania). The father was a native of Bavaria, and was a farmer 
by occupation. He died at the age of eighty-six years. The mother 
was also a native of Germany, and died in 1860, at the age of sixty 
years. George Thiret received his education in the common schools 
of Pennsylvania, and started out for himself at the age of sixteen, with 
limited means, but with a strong pair of hands and a willing heart. 
He first engaged in the creamery business at Allegheny City, Penn., but 

-»^, _ 1^ 



^^4* — ^ -' — ^ u^ 




afterward went to South Bend, Ind. , and thence to Chicago, where 
he was salesman in a grocery for seven years. After this he embarked 
in railroading at Omaha, Neb., for the Union Pacific Railroad, and 
from there went to Kansas City, Mo. He left there after a short time 
and again started out railroading on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas 
Eailroad. April 30, 1872, Mr. Thiret was married to Miss L. A. Mad- 
dox, a native of Indiana, who received her education in the common 
schools, and who is a lady of culture and refinement, and has stood firmly 
beside her husband through all hard trials, and always willing to do her 
share. To them was born one daughter, Josephine, who is an accom- 
plished young lady, and quite proficient in music and penmanship. 
She attended the common schools, then took a course of higher instruc- 
tion, and is a young lady of most excellent attributes of character. 
Mr. Thiret has always identified himself with the Democratic party, 
except one time, when he advocated the Greenback principles, since 
then he has upheld the true principles of Democracy. He cast his first 
presidential vote for Hon. Horatio Seymour, of New York. He is at 
present Wyandotte Township treasurer, and for three years has been 
road supervisor of Bulick highways. He is a gentleman who has at 
heart every enterprise which tends to develop his country. He has 
been a member of the I. O. O. F., at Kansas City, Kas., and a member 
of the Farmers' Alliance. Although he has not been an ultra-partisan 
in politics, he has at all times exercised his right of franchise in a di- 
rection which would support men of principle and honor. Mr. Thiret 
was born and reared in the Lutheran Church, and Mrs. Thiret is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are respecters and 
supporters of the principles of religion which elevate to higher and 
nobler aspirations. Mr. and Mrs. Thiret emigrated to Wyandotte 
County, Kas., direct from Chicago, without a dollar, and began life in 
this new country. Here they have worked together with great indus- 
try and economy, which are the highest commendable attributes of 
praise. They have a beautiful home, and Mr. Thiret is an extensive 
fruit-grower, shipping a great deal of his fruit North. He has twenty 
acres in small fruit, such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and 
also has a vineyard of five and a half acres of fifty different varieties, 
the most prominent for market being: Concord, Goethe, Elvira and 
Champion, and has thirty acres in orchard of the finest leading vari- 
eties of apples. He supplies the home markets in grapes, and takes 
great pride in showing the products of his farm at most all the princi- 
pal fairs in the West, and he always takes the first premiums, and has 



.^ 



Ab 



WYANDOTTE COOKTY. 



857 



ever done his part in proudly advertising his county with his exhibits. 
The fruit farm which he owns, and which is so valuable, was a wilder- 
ness when he and Mrs. Thiret bought their land, and it shows with 
what an effort they have cleared and improved their present valuable 
property. Mr. Thiret claims Wyandotte County to be one of the best 
counties in the State for fruits of all kinds, and is well rewarded for 
his hard labor now. Mr. Thiret will dispose of eighty acres of his 
choice farm land at a price which would guarantee true satisfaction, 
since he expected to make the fruit business his future avocation, and 
will not need so much land. Mr. Thiret relates, in a very interesting 
manner, the terrible grasshopper scourge in 1875, when nearly every- 
thing was eaten by the pest, and the trials and vicissitudes which he 
and his family passed through would fill a volume. Aside from their 
property here they are the owners of four nice building and business 
lots in Armourdale, now part of Kansas City, Kas., and three lots in 
Old Kansas City, Kas. They expect to make their future home where 
they now reside, and are comfortably established, and expect to see 
Kansas City, now the metropolis of Kansas, the leading city of the 
Southwest before many years. Mr. Thiret is a friend and supporter 
of all good educational institutions, and is a representative citizen of 
the county, and always is willing to lend a hand to promote the indus- 
tries and welfare of his county. 

R. B. Thomas, secretary and treasurer of the Consolidated Iron 
Works, Kansas City, Kas., is a gentleman of sterling worth and 
integrity, and respected in all circles. The above large plant was 
established at Second and Nebraska Avenues January 1, 1889, under 
the firm name of C. K. Griffith & Co. , and in February of the same 
year was destroyed by tire, the insurance being only $1,000. Inside 
of four weeks they had rebuilt at Oakland and Third Streets, at a cost 
of $10,000, under the name of the Griffith & Thomas Co., and were 
in running order. They have met with extraordinary success, their 
trade beginning with a product of three tons daily, and has increased 
so rapidly that they were compelled to build an additional plant in 
Cypress Bottom, corner Central Avenue and Fourth Street. A stock 
company was organized, now known as the Consolidated Iron AA orks 
Company. The firm consists of the following individuals: C. R. 
Griffith, Jr., president, and R. B. Thomas as secretary and treasurer. 
They make a specialty of elevator castings, sash weights, hitch 
weights, brick kiln castings, railroad castings, cast washers, grate bars 
and a general line of castings. They handle the home trade and have 



If 



r 



•^^ 



ik 




established a large trade in the Southern, Northern and Western 
States. Their capital stock is $30,000 paid up. They use up all the 
tin scraps and all kinds of old cans, using the tin cuttings from, the 
packing-houses for the manufacture of ordinary castings. A finer 
grade of iron is used for their general castings. They employ about 
100 men, and have an output of twelve tons per day, with a value of 
$125,000 to $150,000, and a rapid increase. The stock is earning 
good dividends. They assist the home industries by patronizing the 
home banks, etc., and consider this city as one of the future manu- 
facturing centers. R. B. Thomas has been engaged in this business 
for a period of two years, coming from New York City. His birth 
occurred in Brooklyn May 11, 1865, and he was reared to manhood in 
the Empire State, receiving his education in the Brooklyn schools. 
At the age of fourteen years he commenced life for himself as an 
office boy in the Long Island Eailroad office in Long Island City, N. 
Y., and was promoted from time to time until he became secretary to 
the general superintendent of said road, having full charge of said 
department. He also has held the position of private secretary to the 
general auditor and first vice president of the Atchison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe Railroad Company at Boston, and secretary to the president 
of the New York & Northern Railway Company, Col. Joel B. Ear- 
hardt, who is now collector of the port of New York. Since Mr. 
Thomas has been West, he has had the honor of being tendered the 
position of secretary to Col. Earhardt as collector of the port, but 
his financial and business ties in the West prevented his accepting. 
His parents, Evan P. and Emma M. (Griffith) Thomas, were natives of 
New York. The father was in the wholesale dry goods business in 
New York City and was quite a wealthy citizen. He died in 1878, 
leaving a widow and three children: Everett V. and William G. Our 
subject, R. B. Thomas, was married in 1887 to Miss Mary Titus 
Broas, a native of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and the only child of ex- 
Assemblyman Benjamin S. Broas, of that city. In his political views 
Mr. Thomas is a Democrat, but is non-partisan in his local elec- 
tions. He and Mrs. Thomas are members of the Dutch Reformed 
Church, and, socially, he is a member of the R. A. C. R. Griffith, Jr., 
president of the Consolidated Iron Works Company, was born in 
Brooklyn, N.. Y., December 27, 1863, and is a son of C. R. and 
Louise (Keil) Griffith, natives of the Empire State. The father was 
born in New York State, and is special agent of the R. G. Dunn 
agency, with headquarters in Chicago. The paternal grandfather of 



•^ S r- -~s ®|>y 



AL 



^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



859 



our subject followed the sea, was captain of his own vessel, and was 
drowned while attempting to save his passengers during a storm on 
the Gulf of Mexico. When last seen he was on a raft, after saving 
all his passengers, and his last act was to cut a rope by which the raft 
was held to the vessel. C. E. Griffith remained in his native city 
until nearly grown, and then started for the great West with $5 in his 
pocket, landing in Chicago, where he entered the employ of K G. 
Dun & Co. He remained with this company six months and then 
accepted a position with the King & Andrews Iron Company, of Chi- 
cago, as office boy, continuing in that capacity for two years, when he 
was elected secretary of the same company. Later his attention was 
called toward Kansas City, Mo. , as a good point for business, and in 
1888 he came here. He and Mr. Thomas bought out the old Pugh & 
Morris Foundry, commenced anew under the firm title of C. R. Grif- 
fith & Co., and after the fire, as above mentioned, the title was 
chano-ed to Griffith & Thomas Co., and then to the Consolidated 
Iron Works Company. In politics Mr. Griffith affiliates with the 
Democratic party, but is not a strict partisan in local politics. 

Hon. James F. Timmons. He whose name heads this sketch is 
a farmer and stock-raiser of Wyandotte County, Kas. His father, 
Stephen Timmons, was born in Worcester County, Md., in the year 
17G9, and his mother in Sussex County, Del., in 1779. His educa- 
tion was received in the common schools, and at the early age of six- 
teen, he, in company with his widowed mother, took charge of a small 
farm. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-seventh 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving as a private without a day's absence 
from duty for three years, but did not re-enlist because it was his 
opinion that when military authorities in Ohio found a man could not 
understand a complicated piece of machinery, as a cap-lock musket, 
they gave him a line officer's sword. Mr. Timmons married Miss 
Margaret A. Mallow, daughter of John and Elizabeth Mallow, in the 
year 1867, and in 1870 moved to Kansas, locating in Wyandotte County, 
on the line of the Union Pacific Eailroad, and on this place he con- 
tinues to reside. His first wife dying in 1871, he married Miss Maria 
J. Grinter, daughter of James C. and Rosanna Grinter. Their mar- 
riage took place in 1872, and they are the parents of four children. 
Born of Southern parents, he imbibed the spirit of the times of Thomas 
JefFerson, and hated slavery as a mortal sin, both from political and 
religious convictions. He has been a radical on all political issues, 
and voted for Peter Cooper for President in 1876, "N^'eaver in 1880, and 



1^ 



Harrison in 1888, and is still an ardent Republican. Mr. Timmons 
was at the head of the Jb'armers' Grange movement, and is at the pres- 
ent writing identified with the Farmers' Alliance, but does not believe 
that their political management will amount to anything. He was 
twice elected legislator from his county, and had a law passed for the 
improvement of county roads, but failed to get fees and salaries ad- 
justed to a fair proportion of the earnings of men of similar vocations. 
In his religious opinions, Mr. Timmons thinks Christ's teaching a 
good guide for life. By his first marriage he has two children, viz. : 
Elizabeth H. and Joseph M., and by his second marriage four children 
named as follows: James Loga, Rosanna, Dot and Saint. 

G. W. Toothaker, real estate owner and dealer, Argentine, Kas. 
In a new section of country, such as that surrounding Argentine is, 
comparatively speaking, real-estate transactions are of much impor- 
tance and the business of the real estate agent must be classed among 
the leading lines of commercial industry. Among those prominently 
engaged in this business in Argentine is Mr. Toothaker, who was born 
near Quincy, 111., March 7, 1847, and who is the third of live children 
born to G. and Elmira (Roberts) Toothaker, the father a native of 
Maine, and the mother of Pennsylvania. The father was reared in 
his native State, and was a successful agriculturist by occupation. 
G. W. Toothaker remained in his native State until 1857, and then 
came to Kansas, where he received a good education, graduating in 
Baker's University, at Lawrence, Kas., in 1872. Afterward he went 
to the Pacific coast, where he remained nine years engaged in specu- 
lating, mining and other interests, and where he met with fair success. 
He returned to Lawrence, Kas., in 1884, and in the following year 
became interested in the welfare of the city by investing in real estate 
here, and is now the owner of a great amount of city and country 
property. He does a large business in loan brokerage and fire insiu-- 
ance for the leading companies. He was married in 1884, to Mrs. 
Belle Osborn, who bore him one child, Mary Belle. Mr. Toothaker 
is a Republican in his national issue, but locally he is Independent. 
He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and an ex-I. O. O. F. In 1857 he 
joined Company D, Eighth Artillery, under Capt. Cochran, and was 
assigned to frontier duty. He was captured by Quantrell in 1862, at 
Independence, Mo., and paroled. Daring this time Mr. Toothaker 
was on the route of Quantrell, when he burned Lawrence. He was in 
the volunteer service, under Gen. Lane, participating in the different 
skirmishes. He was mustered out in the fall of September, 1862. 



"7^ 



W 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 861 



John \V. Toy is a worthy citizea of Kansas City, Kas. , and as a 
man of business has not his superior in this section of the country. 
Like his brothers, with whom he is associated in business, he was 
born in Franklin County, Ohio, on April 1, 1853, and there attained 
his majority and was educated. His early days were spent as a tiller 
of the soil, and this occupation continued to receive his attention until 
his removal West in the spring of 1880. His marriage, which took 
place on April 23, 1876, was to Miss Ella Lucas, who was born on 
February 22, 1854, also in Franklin County, Ohio. Mr. Toy has 
been a resident of Kansas City, Kas., since 1880, and in this city has 
won an enviable reputation as a man of business and also as a public- 
spirited citizen. He and his brothers, Joseph F. and Harrison S. 
constitute the well-known grocery lirm of Toy Bros., and the only 
business change which the firm has undergone since he joined it was 
the retirement of Edward C, another brother, which took place in 
1885, he removing to Dakota. The success which this firm has en- 
joyed is almost phenomenal, and for a number of years it has been the 
leading grocery firm of Kansas City. Their retail establishment lo- 
cated at No. 601) Colorado Avenue is in charge of John W. Toy, this 
store being first established at No. 338 South Fifth Street, in 1886. 
It is admirably conducted, and now has a large patronage. Mr. Toy 
removed to his present stand in May, 1890, and is established in com- 
modious and comfortable quarters. It is the leading place of the 
kind in that portion of the city known as Armstrong, and in addition 
to a first-class stock of groceries, there is also carried in their store, a 
stock of gents' furnishing goods. This store has grown into popular 
favor, and is now recognized as an excellent place to trade by all citi- 
zens of that section, for besides being suited with the quality of the 
goods, the prices are reasonable. He and his wife are the parents of 
four children: Edgar C, Olive May, Howard and Walter. Mr. Toy is 
a courteous and agreeable gentleman to deal with, and being upright 
in every particular, he is deserving of the highest esteem and respect. 

J. F. Toy is a business man of Kansas City, Kas., whom all honor, 
for his traits of character are of a high order, and he was never known 
to do a mean action. His birth occurred near Peoria, 111., March 11, 
1858, he being a son of Harrison and Rebecca (Brobeck) Toy, who 
were born in Pennsylvania, and when children were taken by their 
parents to Ohio, where they were reared and married. The former 
was born in 1818, and a son of Wesley Toy, who was by birth also a 
Pennsylvanian. Harrison spent his early life in Pickaway County, 



^ 



^r*. 



862 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



Ohio, and on reaching manhood he adopted the calling of a farmer, 
the details of which he had learned from his father, and this calling re- 
ceived his attention throughout life. His marriage took place Decem- 
ber 25. 1845, to Miss Brobeck, who was born about 1825, and who 
bore him eight children, seven of this family now living — live sons 
and two daughters. Their names are: Louisa, an infant daughter 
that died unnamed, Charles W., Anna, Harrison S. and John W. 
(twins), Joseph F. and Edward C. When the war opened Mr. Toy 
joined Company F, Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served three 
years, and during that time was wounded in battle and placed in the 
hospital, where he contracted an illness from which he never recovered, 
his death, however, occurring at his home in Franklin County, Ohio, 
about 1863. His widow also died there, her death taking place some 
ten years later, in the month of February. They resided in Franklin 
County, Ohio, from the time of their marriage up to their deaths, with 
the exception of about three years, just before and after the birth of 
the subject of this sketch, at which time they resided near Peoria, 111. 
J. F. Toy was reared to manhood in Franklin County, the summers 
being devoted to farm work and the winters to attending school, until 
he reached the age of seventeen years, after which he quit school and 
devoted his attention to the farm. When twenty years of age, he be- 
came associated in biisiness with his brother Charles W., which was a 
grocery establishment, in Columbus, Ohio. At the expiration of 
about one year, he sold out to his brother, and in company with two 
other brothers, Harrison S. and Edward C, he came West and located 
in Kansas City, Kas. , this being in 1880, and within three montlis af- 
ter locating here they opened a grocery store, and the lirm of Toy 
Brothers has existed ever since, being now the leading grocery firm in 
the city. About three years after the business had been established, 
another brother, John W. Toy, came to Kansas City, from Ohio, and 
became a member of the firm, but in the fall of 1885 Edward C. re- 
tired and removed to Dakota, since which time the firm has been com- 
posed of John W., Harrison S. and J. F. They have been very 
successful, and their place of business became so popular that they 
found it necessary to enlarge their establishment, and they now have 
three large and well-stocked stores, one wholesale and two retail. The 
former is located at the corner of Third Street and Minnesota Avenue, 
and is in charge of J. F. Toy, while the two retail establishments, lo- 
cated at 414 and 416 Euclid Avenue, are conducted, respectively, 
by Harri-son S. and John W. On September 29, 1886, the subject of 



^ 



~a "V 



this sketch was married to Miss Nellie B. Hendrick, of this city, and 
their union has resulted in the liirth of one child, Oscar S., whose 
birth occurred in October, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Toy are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, are liberal contributors to the same, 
and in fact to all worthy enterprises. Mr. Toy's career has, thus far, 
been a very creditable one, and he is well and favorably known to the 
public as a good business man and an upright, honorable citizen. He 
has not only built up a fine patronage, but he has acquired a large 
circle of friends, among whom he is deservedly popular. He and his 
wife are among the finest of the city's citizens, and command the 
respect of all who know them. 

E. W. Towner is clerk of the district court of Wyandotte County, 
Kas., and he is making an enviable record for himself as a public 
official, for not only is he courteous and accommodating, but he is in- 
telligent, far-seeing and strictly conscientious in the discharge of his 
duty. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, there received a high-school 
education, and learned the trade of a machinist in the C. C. & C. 
shops, in which he worked for two years. He then entered the employ 
of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, 
and after spending thirteen consecutive years with the 'same, nine 
years having charge of the shops, he became superintendent of Na- 
tional Tool & Machine Shop of Cleveland, Ohio, a position he held un- 
til coming to Kansas City in 1881, and entering the Union Pacific shops. 
In 1888 he was elected to his present position by his many Repub- 
lican friends in this section, and is in every respect doing them credit. 
Since attaining his majority he has always used his best interest for 
the Republican party, and he is also a K. of L., and is in full sympa- 
thy with the labor movement. He was nominated for the Legislature 
in Ohio on the Labor ticket, but was defeated. He has been active in 
politics ever since coming to this county, and has served as chairman 
of the Republican Central Committee and on the school board, both 
by election and appointment. He is past chancellor commander in 
the K. of P. order, and also belongs to the A. F. & A. M. He is 
the owner of considerable real estate in Kansas City, and is one of her 
best citizens. His marriage, which occurred in Cleveland, Ohio, re- 
sulted in the birth of one child, William H. , being now twenty-three 
years of age. Mr. Towner served in the Fifth Ohio Independent 
Battalion of Cavalry during the Civil War, but was only in eerv- 
ice nineteen months. His father and mother were born in England 
and York State, respectively, and both are now seventy-two years 



-i) V 



864 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



of age and reside io Ohio. The father was foreman ia the Cleveland, 
Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad shops in Cleveland for 
thirty four years, and built the first wooden pilot used in that State, also 
the first locomotive cab. 

Luther Trail settled in Wyandotte County, Kas., in 1875, and 
immediately became identified with the progress and development of 
this section of the country, and in the conduct of his present vegetable 
farm he is meeting with substantial results. He annually devotes 
from seven to nine acres to sweet potatoes, the varieties being the 
Yellow Jersey, Yellow Nanceman, Red Matagorda and Early Golden, 
and he markets from 1,000 to 1,200 bushels yearly. He also raises 
Irish potatoes in large quantities, melons, sweet corn and cabbages, 
and all are of the very best varieties, and are always in excellent con- 
dition when delivered. He was born in Moniteau County, Mo. , June 
2, 1847, and was the eighth of eleven children born to Basil and 
Anna Trail, who were born and reared in North Carolina. The father 
was a cabinet-maker by trade, but during the latter part of his life he 
followed the occupation of farming, and to this was giving his atten- 
tion at the time of his death in 1851. Luther was taken from the 
home of his birth when three years of age, and was reared to man- 
hood in Kansas City, Mo., and in early life assisted his father in farm 
work. In 1864 he enlisted at Leavenworth, Kas., in the Seventh 
Kansas Cavalry, under Capt. Ed Colbert, and served in the Western 
and Southern divisions, the company to which he belonged being the 
body-guard to Col. A. J. Smith, with whom they followed the fortunes 
of war until the closing conflict. His company then returned to 
Leavenworth and were sent west to fight the Sioux Indians who were 
causing much trouble in the West. The company went as far as Fort 
Kearney when they were ordered home, and were mustered out of serv- 
ice in the fall of 1865. He was in the engagement at Tupelo, Miss. 
After receiving his discharge he returned home and engaged in farm- 
ing in Clay County, Mo., remaining on the borders of Missouri and 
Kansas until 1875, when he became a permanent resident of Wyan- 
dotte County, Kas. He purchased his present farm of twenty acres 
in 1880, which he has improved with a good house, barn, shade trees, 
etc. He was one of the very first to engage in potato raising, but, as 
it proved so profitable in his case, others took up the enterprise and 
are making money likewise. He was married in 1880 to Mrs. 
Elizabeth Wiugert, a daughter of S. Rhodes. She was born in Penn- 
sylvania in 1860, and has borne her husband five children: Charles, 



"^^ 






WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 865 



Frank, Eva, Wingert and Frederick. Mr. Trail is a Republican in 
his political views, and at the present date is a member of the school 
board, a position he has filled for the past six years. 

Charles W. Trickett is the cashier of the Wyandotte National 
Bank, of Kansas City, Kas., but was bora in Scotland County, Mo., 
February 2, 1860, and his ability as a business man is co extensive 
with the county aud the surrounding country. In 1867 he removed 
with his parents, Charles M. and Martha A. (Walker) Trickett, natives 
of Virginia and Illinois, respectively, to Miami County, Kas., and was 
a resident of Louisburg during his youth and his early manhood. At 
the early age of eleven years, he entered the employ of Heed & Wright, 
millers, grain, lumber and coal merchants, and at thirteen years of 
age did all the buying and shipping for that lirm, continuing with 
them eight consecutive years. In 1879 he went to Paola, Kas. .where 
he engaged in the grain business with the firm of Reed, Wright & 
Co. , the first two men being his former employers, and here he gave 
his attention to this work for two years, after which he acted as 
book-keeper for a grocery firm a short time, and in 1881 accepted a 
position in the Miami County Bank of Paola, being made teller at 
the end of one year, and assistant cashier two years later, this posi- 
tion retaining until the month of June, 1887, when, in connection with 
the president of that bank, Mr. J. W. Sponable, he organized the 
Wyandotte National Bank of Kansas City, Kas., and of this he has 
been cashier ever since. He is president of the Kansas City Savings 
Bank of Kansas City, Kas. . and a director in the Inter-State National 
Bank, located at the stock-yards in the same city. He drafted the 
bill, and carried on all the correspondence which made Kansas City, 
a reserve city for national banks. The bill was introduced in Con- 
gress by Maj. Warner, and of its successful passage he may well 
feel proud. He has been interested in all pnblic matters since lo- 
cating here, and for six years he has served on the Board of Education 
at Paola. four of which he was chairman of the committee on teach- 
ers and text books. He resigned this position on account of his re- 
moval to this city, but has also been interested in educational mat- 
ters since his residence here. He is one of the most enterprising 
and successful young men in the county, and stands high in both 
business and social circles. Socially he is a member of the A. O. 
U. W., and in his political views he is a Republican. He was married 
December 24, 1880, to Miss Lillie B. Essex, by whom he has three 
children: Nellie, Pearl and Willie E. Both Mr. and Mrs. Trickett are 



^1 



4 




members of the Congregational Church, and are highly respected citi- 
zens of Kansas City. 

Charles Turner is the lard refiner for Swift & Co.. at Kansas City, 
Kas., and is enegetic and pushing. He was born at South Wingtield, 
Derbyshire, England, September 25, 1848, his parents, George and 
Ann (Booth) Turner, being also natives of that islace, the former's 
birth occurring August 26, 1808, and the latter' s October 3, 1S16. 
Their marriage was celebrated about 1838, and a family of sixteen 
children were in time born to them, of whom the subject of this sketch 
was the ninth. Their names are as follows: Mary, Alice, George, 
James, Charles, Ann, Samuel, Cornelius and Robert, living, and 
Sarah, Eliza, Frank, Robert (an elder son), Matthew, Elizabeth and 
Ellen (deceased). Charles and Ann came to America, but the latter 
afterward returned to her native land. The parents are both living, 
residents of Wingfield, England, and the former was for many years a 
manufacturer of stockings. He and his wife are honorable and np- 
right people, and are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, having been so for fifty years. Charles Turner attended school 
in Wingfield until he was ten years of age, when he left school and be- 
gan working in a coal mine, and continued to follow this pursuit for 
twenty-six years. In 1880 he took passage on board the steamer 
"Adriatic" at Liverpool, for America, and after a stormy voyage of nine 
days he landed at New York, which city he reached on May 9. The 
following day he went to Plymouth, Penn. , and for eight months 
worked in a coal mine at that place, but left there on January 4, 1887, 
and went to Angus, Boone County, Iowa, and during a period of seven 
weeks spent there, worked in a coal mine. In March, 1887, he re- 
turned eastward as far as Chicago, where he secured employment 
with Swift & Co., holding a position in the lard department. During 
two years spent at this work he thoroughly learned the art of lard 
refining, and in the month of June, 1889, having gained the entire 
confidence of his employers, he was sent by them to establish a lard 
refinery, in connection with their jjacking-house, at Kansas City, Kas. 
He accomplished his mission successfully, and has acted as foreman of 
the same ever since. He was married on April 26, 1889, in Chicago, 
to Miss Susan Kilpatrick, a native of County Armagh, Ireland, her 
birth occurring July 11, 1852, who had acted as a saleslady in a 
dry goods establishment in Newry, Ireland, for eight years before 
coming to America. She had four brothers and one sister in Canada, 
and one sister in Chicago, and for the purpose of visiting them 

f e>J ' I ^ ^ 

'•^6 r- -^ sPV 



il^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 867 



she came to America in 1884, and being much pleased with the country 
she concluded to remain, and her acquaintance and marriage with 
Mr. Turner followed; Her sister who formerly lived in Canada has 
since removed to Chicago. Mr. Turner became identified with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church about 1870, and of this he has since 
been an active and consistent member. In June, 1880, he was recom- 
mended by his church to the general quarterly conference as a local 
preacher, and at the end of one year passed a thorough theological 
examination before the conference, which unanimously passed an opinion 
that he was thoroughly capable of performing the duties of a local 
preacher. He continued in this capacity in England until his de- 
parture for America, and upon locating in Plymouth, Penn., he 
identified himself with the church at that place, and performed the 
duties of a local preacher. He expounded the gospel while in Chi- 
cago, also, and has devoted much of his attention to that calling since 
coming to Kansas City. He has been recommended as a minister to 
the Kansas Quarterly Conference, which meets in March, 1891, and 
will, without doubt, become an ordained minister. During the entire 
twenty years of his connection with the church he has been an active 
Sabbath-school worker, and has acted as a teacher the entire time. 
Socially he belongs to the I. O. O. F., Lake City Lodge No. 42, of 
Chicago. Before coming to the United States, he took an active part 
in politics, was a member of the Liberal party, and was a stanch 
follower of the " G. O. M.," Gladstone. He frequently made political 
speeches and presided over two political meetings, which nominated 
the present representative from mid-Derbyshire to the British Parlia- 
ment. He is an intelligent and well informed gentleman, and is al- 
ready accounted one of the substantial residents of Kansas City, where 
he and his wife have won many warm friends. 

Theobald Umbstaetter is foreman of the oil house for Swift & Co., 
at Kansas City, a position he has held for the past four years, since 
1889, serving in his present capacity in the above-named town. He 
was born in Cleveland, Ohio, July 22, 1854, to Daniel and Louisa 
(Glaser) Umbstaetter, both of whom were born in Germany, coming 
to America while still single, and afterward marrying in Uniontown, 
Stark County, Ohio. To them six children were born — three sons 
and three daughters — Theobald and two sisters being the only mem- 
bers of the family now living. The parents reside in Brooklyn, Cuya- 
hoga County, Ohio, and are honored and respected citizens of that 
locality. Theobald Umbstaetter obtained his early education in his 



V 



native town, and during his youth he assisted his father in a grocery 
establishment, of which the latter was proprietor, and at the age of 
seventeen years he accompanied his parents to Cleveland, and there 
entered the employ of the Glaser Brothers, proprietors of a tannery, 
they being his uncles. He continued with them for about six months, 
then became an employe of Glaser, Whitney & Co., and worked in 
their boot and shoe factory in different capacities until the spring of 

1877, when he visited Detroit and Chicago, 'and went from the latter 
city to St. Paul, Minn., where he subsequently became employed in a 
fur and game establishment, remaining thus at work until the spring of 

1878. Later on he gave some attention to the patent right business 
at that place, but in the latter part of 1878 he removed from that city 
to Minneapolis, and for six months worked in the boot and shoe factory 
belonging to HefFelfinger & Co. He then began traveling throughout 
the West, and in his trip visited the cities of Sioux City, Council 
Bluffs, Omaha, St. Joseph, Kansas City, Alton, Cairo, Memphis, Ar- 
kansas City, Pine Bluff, Little Rock, St. Louis, and tinally went to 
AValnut Ridge, Ark., where for a few years he acted as steward in 
a railway eating-house. He next went to Arcadia, Mo., and was sim- 
ilarly employed for a short time, after which he went to Chicago, and 
a month later to Springfield, 111., three months later going to Little 
Rock, where he spent one year, being differently employed at these 
places. After working for six months for the Central Union Tele- 
phone Company he went to Chicago, and was employed by Swift & 
Co. , and has been with that firm ever since. He has been a resident 
of Kansas City since 1889, and is now foreman of the oil house. He 
was married December 26, 1888, to Miss Marj' McGinnis, a native of 
Ireland, who came to America with an aunt at the age of sixteen years. 
They have one son, Theobald John (born August 27, 1889). Mr. 
Umbstaetter is a member of the A. O. F. , and has always supported 
the men and measures of the Republican party. 

Jacob Voegele was born in Wirtemburg, Germany, near the city of 
Sulz, on the river Neckar, but is now making his home with his 
brother-in-law, John Seemann, who resides near Kansas City, Kas. 
His birth occurred on January 8, 1839, and the names of his brothers 
and sisters are as follows: John (who resides in Montgomery County, 
Ohio, was formerly a farmer, but is now a contractor, and was married 
to Miss Christina Bernhardt), Martin (who is a merchant and machin- 
ist at Martinsburg, W. Va., is married to Miss Kate Gerling), Bar- 
bara (wife of John Seemann, see sketch), Mary (wife of John Plocher, 



^^ 



p \ 



1 

^ WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



resides in Montgomery County, Obio, her husband being a carpenter 
and joiner by occupation), Anna (wife of Henry Zehring, a painter 
and glazier, resides in Dayton, Ohio), and George (who was born in 
Maryland, is now residing in Montgomery County, Ohio, is married 
to Miss Emma Stocker, and is a farmer by occupation). The father 
and mother of these children were born in Wirtemburg, and the 
former was a farmer by occupation, and for some time was an ofiBcer 
in the Government works. He is living at the advanced age of eighty- 
two years in Ohio, and his wife is seventy-seven years of age. Jacob 
Voegele attended the schools of Germany for eight years, and took a 
private course of study in the State of Maryland after coming to the 
United States, becoming an exceptionally well-informed young man. 
He is a great reader, a great admirer of standard works, and is a firm 
believer in the common-school system. On August 5, 1862, he en- 
listed in Company E, Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was 
assigned to the Army of the Cumberland under Generals Buell, Rose- 
crans. Grant and Thomas, and took an active part in the following 
battles: Stone River, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. At Stone 
River he was wounded by a minie-ball and buck-shot in the left hip, 
which wound was so serious that it kept bim in the hospital for four 
months, and he was also wounded in the left thigh at Missionary 
Ridge, and was compelled to go on crutches for six months. During 
this time a commission as first lieutenant was awaiting Mr. Voegele, 
but the surgeons pronounced him unfit for further duty in the field, and 
he was honorably discharged July 1, 1865, and at once returned to his 
home. He now receives a pension from the Government for the 
wounds he received in his service for Uncle Sam. He has always 
identified himself with the Democratic party, and at one period of his 
life was an active politician. He served as postmaster at Miamisburg, 
Ohio, for a number of years during Johnson's administration and dis- 
charged hisduties with honor to himself and to the entire satisfaction 
of the public. He has been a resident of America since 1855, and 
after a residence of five years in Maryland he went to Ohio, where he 
made his home for eighteen years, since which time, or since 1878, he 
has resided in Wyandotte County, Kas., and has devoted his attention 
to horticulture. He is highly esteemed by all who know him for his 
honesty of purpose and his intelligence. He held the office of justice 
of the peace in Miamisburg, Ohio, a position he held two terms, and 
at one time he was a prominent and popular candidate for mayor of 
said city, and was only defeated by two votes. He was engaged in the 



*^< 



^- 



870 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



county treasurer's office during portions of three years, and was ten- 
dered the nomination for several important public offices, but declined 
them in favor of older Democrats. He has never learned to be an 
office seeker. 

John L. Walker is a well known farmer and stock-raiser of Wyan 
dotte County, Kas. , but drst saw. the light of day in Owen County, 
Ind., January 3, 1834, being a son of Aquilla and Elizabeth (Dyer) 
Walker, who were born in Maryland and Vermont, respectively. 
John L. Walker made his home in Owen County, Ind., until he at- 
tained his sixteenth year, when he moved with his family to Crawford 
County, 111., and there resided until his twenty-sixth birthday, then 
came to Wyandotte County, Kas. He was married on August 10, 
1856, to Miss Sophia Buser, a daughter of Winnard and Sophia 
(Cramer) Buser. She was born in the Buckeye State, December 25, 
1840, and has borne her husband sis sons and seven daughters: Al- 
bert, Marian, Joseph, Elizabeth (wife of John Cramer), John, Lucy, 
George, Mollie, Dollie, and four children that died in infancy. The 
subject of this sketch has been a life long Republican, and in 1889 
was elected to the office of justice of the peace, but did not qualify, 
and allowed the office to go by default to the present incumbent. When 
Mr. Walker first came to this county it was rolling prarie land as far 
as the eye could reach, and although it presented a somewhat desolate 
appearance, Mr. Walker set energetically to work, and after enduring 
many harships and privations incident to pioneer life, he conquered 
the many difficulties which strewed his pathway, and is now in good 
circumstances financially. He has always been the soul of honesty in 
his dealings, and has made for himself an enviable place in the esteem 
of his friends and acquaintances, and is recognized as one of the use- 
ful citizens of this locality. 

Judge Matthew Rankin Walker, who was one of the early pioneer 
settlers of Kansas City, Kas., an honored and respected citizen, and a 
member of the Wyandotte tribe of Indians, was born on June 17 , 1810, to 
William S. and Catherine (Rankin) Walker, the former of whom was a 
Virginian by birth and a descendant of Sir Walter Raleigh. He was 
captured by the Delaware Indians, and by an exchange of prisoners, 
which took place between them and the Wyandottes, he fell into the 
hands of the latter and spent the remainder of his life with that tribe. 
He was man-ied to Catherine Rankin, a member of the tribe, she 
being a highly educated lady, having received her education in a 
Canadian convent. To them a large family of children were born. 



'-£. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



871 



and three of their sons, William, Matthew R. and Joel, all figured 
conspicuously in the early history of Kansas. The parents both died 
in the vicinity of Sandusky, Ohio, and are sleeping their last sleep in 
the Indian burying-ground in that city. Upon the removal of the 
Wyandotte Indians' from Ohio to Kansas in 1843, the three sons of 
William S. Walker, together with a sister, came here also, and their 
home for the remainder of their lives was Wyandotte. William 
Walker was very prominent in the early history of the State, and 
served as its first territorial governor, dying in Kansas City, Kas. , at 
an extremely old age. Joel Walker was engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits, and in this business was very successful, amassing quite a 
fortune prior to his death in 1857. Matthew Rankin Walker was 
married in Franklin County, Ohio, to Miss Lydia Brown Ladd, by 
whom he became the father of seven children: Adaline, Sarah Louisa, 
Thomas G., Malcolm, Percy L., Clarence F. and Lillian. The eldest, 
Adaline. was married October 15, 18(37, to Frank D. Crane, a native 
of Monroe, Mich., who came to Wyandotte, Kas., with, and in the 
employ of Samuel Hallet, the first contractor of the Union Pacific 
Railroad. Mr. Crane was in the employ of this road in different ca- 
pacities for eighteen years, or until his death November 13, 1881. 
His widow is now a resident of this city, and occupies a large and com- 
fortable residence in the Walker Addition at No. 1928 North Walnut 
Street, which she erected in 1887. Sarah L. and Thomas G., her 
brother and sister, are single and reside in California. Malcolm was 
married to Jane Garrett, who died, leaving a daughter, Louisa B. 
(who is also deceased). Percy L. married Mary Mahana Audrain, a 
descendant of the French and Cherokee Indians, her father being 
James P. Audrain, a French Canadian. She and her husband 
reside in Prairie City, Ind. Ter., and have four childi-en: M. Rex, 
James A., Narcissa O. and Earl P. Clarence F. Walker, the sixth 
child, is single and resides in Prairie City, Ind. Ter. Lillian, the 
youngest, married John A. Hale, a lawyer of this city, and has two 
children: Lydia E. and Lillian. Matthew R. Walker, their father, 
although a farmer by occupation, was also a well known politician, 
and at one time served as judge of the early courts and was also a 
member of the first Territorial Legislature and the Lecompton Con- 
vention. He was a Democrat in politics, and at the time of his death, 
which occurred October 14, 1860, he was a member of the Masonic 
order. His wife belonged to the Eastern Star Lodge, she being the 
first lady to join the same in the State of Kansas. Mendias Chap- 



i "V 



^ 



l\^ 




ter, O. E. S., of Kansas City, Kas., was named in her honor. She 
died May 30, 1884. Judge Walker was noted for his liberality, and was 
always among the first to give of his means in the support of worthy 
enterprises and to those in distress. Notwithstanding this fact he be- 
came quite wealthy, and at the time of his death he was one of the 
substantial men of the county, possessing numerous sterling qualities, 
and had won the esteem of all. 

John Warren, the subject of this sketch, was born here in Kansas 
City, Kas., December 12, 1858, and is well and favorably known 
throughout the State. In addition to acquiring a good education in 
the common schools of this State, he graduated from Spaulding's 
Commercial College in 1878, and then engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits; afterward entering the general mercantile business, until May, 
1885, when he was appointed city clerk of Wyandotte City, and was 
the first clerk after the consolidation of the three towns now known as 
Kansas City, Kas. In 1884 he was elected a member of the Board of 
education, and in November, 1886, was elected clerk of the district court 
of Wyandotte County on the Democrat ticket, a position he tilled with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to the public. After his retirement 
from office, he and his present partner, Mr. Frank Mapes, became asso- 
ciated in business, and quite extensively engaged in commercial bro- 
kerage. Mr. Warren is one of the promising and influential young 
men of this section, is well known for his noble qualities of mind and 
heart, and his future promises to be a decided success. In 1883 he 
was married to Miss Margret A. Burke, by whom he has two interest- 
ing children. 

Oscar A. Weiss is an old and trusted employe of Swift & Co., of 
Kansas City, Kas., who are in the fertilizing business, and he is fore- 
man of their tank house and fertilizing department. He is a native 
German, his birth occurring on September 18, 1853, he being the 
-second of three children born to A. O. and Amelia (Hildebrandt) 
Weiss, natives of Germany, where the former died in 1858, the latter 
being a resident of Chicago. Oscar A. Weiss learned the trade of a 
miller in his native land, an occupation which he continued to follow 
until his removal to the United States, in 1879. He first settled in 
the city of Chicago, where he entered the employ of Wall Bros., who 
were in the fertilizing business, and later entered the employ of the 
North-Western Fertilizing Company, and subsequently became asso- 
ciated with Darling & Co., and then with Swift & Co. In the month 
of February, 1888, he came to Kansas City, Kas., continuing his work 



liL 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 873 



for Swift & Co., and for the past four years has been their foreman at 
this place, and has had control of about forty men, being very suc- 
cessful in their management. He is highly trusted by the company 
for which he works, for he has proven himself honorable and upright 
n every respect, and thoroughly competent to successfully discharge 
every duty incumbent upon his position. He was married in 1876 to 
Miss Matilda Dehn, a native German, and their union has been blessed 
by the birth of five children: John, Paul, Frank, William and Anna. 
Alfred Weston, superintendent of the canning department of 
Armour's Packing House, at Kansas City, Kas., was born in Carroll 
County, N. H., on June 4, 1844, being the son of William and Anna 
L. (Kennison) Weston. Mr. Weston passed the first years of his life 
in a manner similar to that of other boys, in the meantime learning 
the butcher's trade. At the early age of sixteen he commenced the 
struggle of life in a most energetic manner, going to Boston, where 
he engaged in the meat and provision business, up to September of 
the year 1862, at which time he enlisted in the army. He was in the 
Thirty-eighth Massachusetts Infantry, under Capt. James H. Woods, 
serving in the Nineteenth Army Corps during the term of service, and 
engaging in the battles of Berryville, Louisiana and Fisher Hill. The 
siege of Port Hudson commenced on May 22, lasting until July 8, 
and on June 14 Mr. Weston was wounded during a charge, being 
shot in the thigh and left hand, and forced to remain in the hospital 
for six months. After his recovery he returned to his regiment in 
Shenandoah Valley, engaging in the battles of Cedar Creek and Win- 
chester, and the regiment then joined Gen. Sherman, following his 
march through Georgia. They were mustered out of service and re- 
turned to the State of Massachusetts. In 1871 the subject of this sketch 
came West, settling in Chicago, where he was superintendent of the 
canning department in the firm of Libby, McNeil & Libby. At a 
later date he occupied the same position with the St. Louis Beef 
Canning Company for four years, and since 1882, has held his present 
position with Armour. He is, without doubt, one of the most experi- 
enced men in the West, and is highly esteemed in business circles. 
He is a public-spirited man, willing at all times to contribute to the 
advancement of the community in which he resides. He is a member 
of the A. O. U. W. On December 24, 1867, Mr. Weston was mar- 
ried to Miss Abbie J. Littlefield, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth 
Littlefield, natives of Maine. Miss Littlefield' s birth occurred in Bos- 
ton in 1847. To this union have been born four children, viz. : Wil- 



,'VH 



874 



HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



biu-, Anna L. (married), Arthur F. and Fred. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Weston are members of the Third Baptist Church, and the former is 
superintendent of the Sundaj'-school, and deacon in this church. In 
politics he is a strong Republican, serving as chairman of the Re- 
publican Central Committee. 

O. B. White, senior member of the firm of White & Bros. , proprie- 
tors of the Cedar Creek Dairy Farm, at Olathe, Johnson County, was 
born in La Fayette County, Mo., on January 21, 18-49, and is the son 
of William and Nancy (Bounds) White, natives of Tennessee, and La 
Fayette County, Mo., respectively. The mother is still living, is sev- 
enty-three years of age, and is a resident of Kansas City, Kas. The 
father died in Boulder County, Colo., in 1883. When a young man he 
came from Tennessee. O. B. White passed the days of his youth in 
Westport, Mo., Jackson County, and when sixteen years of age he 
commenced farming in Johnson County, Kas., continuing at this until 
1881. The three years following this he was in Kingman County, 
Kas. , and after this he commenced the dairy business in Kansas City, 
Kas. He had limited means to commence with — six head of stock — but 
since then he has bent all his energies to the business, and is to-day 
one of the most extensive dealers in the city. He ships twice per day 
in Kansas City, Kas., and Kansas City, Mo., runs three milk wagons, 
and has a large retail and wholesale business. He resides at 208 
James Street. Mr. White was married on May 20, 1876, to Miss 
Mary Robinson, daughter of E. W. Robinson, and a native of La Salle 
County, 111., where her birth occurred in 1857. To Mr. and Mrs. 
White have been born three living children : Nettie, Berton and Joseph. 
They have two children deceased, one who died at the age of four years 
and an infant. In his political views Mr. White affiliates with the 
Democratic party. Mrs. White is a member of the Congregational, 
Church. 

Joseph M. White, dairyman, Kansas City, Kas. Mr. White re- 
sides at Ohio and Thirteenth Streets, and has been in the dairy busi- 
ness in this city for seven years. He is the owner of sixty head of 
cows, and has built up an extensive trade, both wholesale and retail. 
He was born in Jackson County, Mo. , at Westport, on February 8, 
1855, and is the son of William and Nancy (Bounds) White, the 
father a native of Greene County, Tenn., born in 1818, and the mother 
of Lexington, Mo., born also about 1818. When twenty-one years of 
age the father went from Tennessee to La Fayette County, Mo., thence 
to Lexington, and in 1850 to Westport. He was one of the first to 









'-^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 875 



locate there, and assisted in bailding up the place, belno; a carpenter 
by trade. In 1858 he and family moved to Johnson County, Kas., 
bought 500 acres of land from the Indians, and resided in that county 
until 1878. They then moved to Kingman County, Kas., and in 18S2 
from there to Boulder County, Colo. , where he died on November 8, 
1883. In later years he had farmed extensively, and had accumulated 
considerable wealth. He had moved to Colorado from Kansas on 
account of the grasshoppers, and had lost some money by that and from 
going security. The mother is still living in Kansas City, Kas., and 
is now seventy -two years of age. She is a member of the Missionary 
Baptist Church as was also her husband. He was a stanch Democrat 
in politics, but never aspired to political positions, although he made 
a race for Representative of Kingman County, in 1878, and was elected, 
but was fradulently counted out. He was the son of Joseph White, 
who was a native of Tennessee and a Missionary Baptist minister. 
The latter died at Odessa, La Fayette County, Mo. , at the age of eighty- 
tive or eightj'-six years. He came to Missouri at the same time, and 
with our subject" s father, who at one time owned the entire site of 
Odessa. The White family originally came from Scotland. Our sub- 
feet was one of six sons, all but one living, and they are named as 
follows: James B. (is a farmer in Boulder County, Colo.), David S. 
(is mining and farming in Colorado), W. L. (dairyman of Kansas 
City, Kas.), O. B. (is extensively engaged in the dairy business in 
Kansas City, Kas.), and Jesse B. (died in Johnson County, Kas., at 
the age of twenty-tive years). Joseph M. White spent his school-boy 
days in Johnson County. Kas., and when twenty years of age stai-ted 
out for himself as a farmer in Sedgwick County, Kas., near Wichita; 
there he remained until 1880, and then went to Colorado, where he 
was in the gold and silver mines of Magnolia until 1884. He then 
came to Kansas City, embarked in the dairy business with his brother, 
O. B. White, with whom he was connected until March, 1888. at 
which time he branched off by himself as a dairyman. He started 
with $-1:7 as a capital, but had the energy and push to succeed, and is 
now one of the largest dealers in Kansas City. Socially he is a mem- 
ber of the K. of P. Lodge Xo. 2, and in politics he is strictly Dem- 
ocratic. 

H. C. Whitlock, a popular educator and farmer, Bonner Springs, 
Kas. Mr. Whitlock was born in Platte County, Mo., in 1844, was 
reared and educated in his native State, and supplemented a com- 
mon-school education by a course at Mount Gilead. After this he 






Al: 



-3 f2* 



876 



HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



taught for several years, and later attended the normal at Leaven- 
worth, Kas. He commenced teaching in the common public schools, 
and during 1874 and 1875 he vras principal of Wyandotte public 
schools. Then, in 1878, he was elected superintendent of county 
schools, served one term, was then reelected in the fall of 1884, and 
served one more term. He has not taught since that, on account 
of his health, but has been on his farm in the western part of the 
county. He spent one year on the Pacific coast, one year in Flor- 
ida and Cuba, and is now enjoying the best of health. He is the 
owner of 100 acres of land close to Bonner Springs, but rents this. 
He was elected superintendent on the Democratic ticket, and had 
1,200 more votes in the county than President Cleveland. He was 
defeated for this position in 1880, when everybody thought him cer- 
tain of election. He is a very popular educator, and a man of acknowl- 
edged ability. He is pleasant and sociable in his demeanor, and his 
happiest moments are in educational work, to which he expects to 
give the best years of his life. His parents, Preston and Lavina 
AVhitlock, were natives of Kentucky, and the father was a farmer by 
occupation. 

R. Wilcoxon, of AVhite Church, Kas. , and an old time farmer of 
Quindaro Township, came to Wyandotte County, Kas., January 8, 
1850, and clerked in the dry goods department of the American Fur 
Company at a place called Secondia, located about nine miles above the 
mouth of the Kansas River, in the Delaware Reservation. He carried 
on this business until 1856, and found the Delaware Indians honest, 
upright, truthful, but with very little notion of business. Their living 
was entirely derived from the chase, and they bartered the furs for the 
necessaries of life. Hunting and trapping parties would leave early 
in the fall and return the following spring, bringing with them pelts 
and furs with which to pay their debts. In 1854 Mr. Wilcoxon was 
united in marriage to Miss Malinda Statler, whose Indian name was 
Tweleuioqud. She was educated at the Shawnee Mission. This 
union gave Mr. Wilcoxon the right to live here with them, so in the 
spring of 1856 he began farming, opening up land within a mile of 
where he had been selling goods. His principal crops were wheat, 
corn, potatoes, oats, millet, etc., usually raising for home consumption 
although there was a good market for hogs, selling them to the Dela- 
wares. Being of a pacific nature from staying at home and attending 
strictly to his own business, he was never a participant in the bloody 
times of the border war. He resided quietly on his farm, attended to 






— ■-^>r 



this alone, opened up new land and made improvements as rapidly as 
possible. In 1801 the land was surveyed and parceled, and through 
his wife and children he received 240 acres, one 80 in the hills and 
160 acres on the Kansas River, that on the river being the part he had 
already improved and cultivated. He remained there until 1867, 
when he bought the James Ketchum farm at White Church, having 
sold eighty acres on the river, moved on this, and soon had thirty 
acres under cultivation. In 1888 he sold seventy-two acres of this, 
and kept eight acres for a home. He has a beautiful place, a line 
house of modern architecture with eight rooms, and the principal part 
of the grounds is in orchard. For the past seven years Mr. Wilcoxon 
has been justice of the peace, and has filled the position of school 
director for sixteen years. He and family are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, South. Politically Mr. Wilcoxon has always 
been Democratic until the Greenback party was formed, after which he 
voted for their candidates for several elections. At present he is with 
the Democratic party again. He was a private in the Twenty-third 
Kansas State Militia during the war, but has the record of never shoot- 
ing at a man. He was born in West Virginia March 18, 1828, and 
was the son of Levi and Catherine (Harris) Wilcoxon, both natives 
also of West Virginia. The Wilcoxons are of Scotch-Irish extraction, 
and one of the ancestors lived to be one hundred and fourteen years of 
age. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Thomas Wilcoxon, died 
before the struggle for independence took place. Our subject is the 
only son of six children born to his parents. In 1843 his father 
accompanied by his whole family, three of his daughters being married 
and accompanied by their husbands, went to Arkansas, settled near 
Jackson, and here his death occurred in February of the following 
year. In March, 1844, the entire family left there and came to Kan- 
sas City, where they remained a few days. They then went to West- 
port, where one sister and the mother died in 1849. In the meantime 
E. Wilcoxon worked by the day or month and seized on any honorable 
employment that was offered. One of the brothers-in-law died in 
1852, and the same year the remainder of the family, with the excep- 
tion of our subject, went to California, where they have since died. 
At the present time Mr. Wilcoxon is the sole survivor of the family. 
After entering the employ of the American Fur Company Mr. Wil- 
coxon boarded with James Findlay, whose wife was a sister of Judge 
John Ryland, of La Fayette County, Mo. They were together in the 
store for six years, and then both left the same year. Mr. Wilcoxon 



-f^ 



^^=ti , - — "k ». 




is the father of four children — two sons and two daughters — two sons 
and one daughter now living: Lucinda (wife of James L. Buckland, 
who is residing in Wyandotte Township, engaged in farming), Emmett 
(living with his father) and Oscar (also at home). Leanora was born 
February 23, 1868, and died December 22, 1884. Mr. Wilcoxon 
voted for Abelard Gutherie, the first delegate from this State to Con- 
gress, anil next for Thomas Johnston. He also voted for the first 
governor of the State and for the last, Glick (1890). In 18-49-50 the 
cholera raged in this State, and was so fatal that the Delaware Indians 
hired Dr. J. B. Stone to come out here. In 1849 1,000 Delaware In- 
dians lived within eight miles of White Church, but when that great 
scourge occurred they scattered to difFerent parts of the reservation 
and never got together again. 

Isaac D. Wilson is a native of Crawford County, 111., his birth 
occurring there June 22. 1832, his parents, Isaac N. and Hannah H. 
(Decker) Wilson, being Virginians. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson ac- 
companied their respective parents to Crawford County, 111., in an 
early day, and it was in that county that they were reared, educated 
aad married. Isaac D. Wilson remained in his native town of Pales- 
tine until he was twenty-one years of age, and although his father was 
a hotel proprietor he also owned a farm near town, and upon this 
Isaac D. labored during his youth when not in school. Upon attain- 
ing his majority he went to Charleston, Coles County, 111., and the 
following ten years were spent in mercantile piirsuits in that place. 
From 1864 to 1866 Chicago, 111., was the scene of his labors where 
he was in the wholesale grocery business. In the latter part of the 
last named year he went to Oxford, Marquette County, Wis. , but after 
being the proprietor and operating a flouring-mill in that place until 
1881, he went to Oluey, 111. He continued to own the mill, however, 
until 1883, and while in Oxford was also engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits for a period of three years. From Olney, 111., he came to Kan- 
sas City, Kas., in the fall of 1882, and here he has ever since given 
his time and attention to the banking business, he being first a mem- 
ber of the banking firm of Wilson & Rogers, the former being presi- 
dent. This bank was succeeded by the Baok of Wyandotte, but as 
long as it was in existence, Mr. Wilson was also its president. Later, 
this was changed to the First National Bank, and in this Mr. Wilson 
continued to hold the position of president until December, 1888, 
when he sold his interest in the bank, and in 1889 helped to organize 
the Exchange Bank, of which he has since been president. Socially, 



» " 



he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and politically, is a Demo- 
crat. He is a man of excellent business qualifications, and thus far 
has made life a decided success. He was married to Miss Sophia 
Ricketts, who died the following year, leaving a daughter, who was 
named Sophia. In April, 18<56, Mr. "Wilson's second marriage was 
consummated. Miss Etta Spoor becoming his wife. 

William E. Wilt is a gentleman who is honorably connected with 
the prosperity of Kansas City, Kas. , and is well known as one of the 
substantial and reliable grocers of this place. He is a native of Liver- 
pool, Perry County, Penn., his birth occurring February 11, 1801, his 
parents, George W. and Sarah (Krowl) Wilt, being also born in that 
State, the former's birth occurring July 4, 1834, and the latter' s Au- 
gust 16, 1836. The father was twice married. Miss Krowl being his 
second wife, their union taking place in 1858, and resulting in the birth 
of six children: Morris C, William E., George W. (deceased), Irvin 
E., Francis E. and Annie M. Both parents are living, their home be- 
ing in Kansas City. In early life the father worked on a farm, but at 
a later period he began railroading, and continued to follow this occu- 
pation for fourteen years, twelve of which he was a passenger con- 
ductor on the Philadelphia & Reading Railway. He subsequently re- 
sumed farming, but after following the occupation for five years in 
Cedar County, Mo., he in 1885, removed to Kansas City, Mo., and two 
years later came to Kansas City, Kas. , where his attention has since 
been given to gardening. He and his wife are consistent members of 
the Evangelical Church, and are worthy and respected citizens of this 
section. Mr. Wilt's first wife bore him a daughter, who is now Mrs. 
Emma Bittinger, of Freeport, Penn. He is a son of George W. Wilt, 
whose great-grandfather emigrated to America from Holland. When 
the subject of this sketch was a year and a half old his parents removed 
to Herndon, Northumberland County, Penn., in which place he spent 
his boyhood, and attended school until fourteen years of age. For a year 
and a half after leaving school he acted as extra passenger brakeman 
on the Philadelphia & Reading Railway, after which he entered the 
employ of Jonas Duttery, with whom he learned the butcher's trade. 
At seventeen years of age he came West with his parents to Cedar 
County, Mo., where for four years he assisted his father at farm- 
ing, going thereafter to Bates County, Mo., where for a year he 
was employed in a saw-mill, while there helping to saw the lumber 
which was used to build the first house in the present city of Rich Hill, 
Mo. In the spring of 1882 he came to Kansas City, Mo., where he 



J^l 




spent four years engaged, chiefly, at gardening and fishing. For 
four winters he followed the latter calling on an extensive scale, mar- 
keting the large quantities of tish which he caught in Kansas City. 
During the winter of ISS-t-SS he followed fishing upon the St. Fran- 
cis Eiver, in Arkansas, but in February, 1885, came to Kansas City, 
Kas., and the following summer his time was devoted to gardening 
with his father. In the fall of 1886 he entered the employ of Wilson 
Barden, in whose grocery establishment he clerked for seven months. 
In August, 1887, he went to Los Angeles, Cal., near which place he 
spent seven months on a ranch, after which he returned to Kansas City, 
arriving March 19, 1888. March '24 he purchased a meat- market on 
the corner of Fifth Street and Walker Avenue, taking possession of it 
two days later, and there did a successful business until October 1, 
1889, when he removed to a brick business building, at No. 2001 North 
Fifth Street, and since then has had as a business partner, his brother, 
Irvin E., and the firm, under the name of Wilt Bros., has conducted a 
meat-market and grocery, jointly, at that place up to the present time. 
Their goods are of excellent quality, and as both members of the firm 
are young men of good habits, and strictly honorable business men, 
their trade has become very large, and is constantly increasing. Mr. 
Wilt was married August 4, 1889, to Miss Mollie K. Eoman, an ac- 
complished young lady, of Osawatomie, Kas., her birth occurring near 
this city, in 1870, her father being Henry Roman. Mr. Wilt is a 
member of the Kansas City Retail Butchers' Protective Association, 
and also of the Merchant's Mercantile Agency, of Chicago. He is a 
young man of good business qualities, and being intelligent, kindly in 
disposition, and liberal, he has many warm friends. 

F. C. Woestemeyer, merchant. Bethel, Kas. Among the promi- 
nent business men of Bethel, and among the representative citizens of 
Wyandotte Count}', stands the name of Mr. F. C. Woestemeyer, who 
commenced business in Bethel, in December, 1888, opening a stock of 
general groceries. His stock invoicing about $500, and his sales amount 
to about $250 per month. Being so convenient to wholesale houses, he 
carries but a small stock, and makes two or three trips a week to the 
city for good^. Mr. Woestemeyer was born in Warren County, Mo., on 
March 6, 1844, and is the son of Morriz Bernhardt and Elizabeth 
(Schuster) Woestemeyer, natives of Germany. The parents came to 
America about 1835, settled in Warren County, made a home, and there 
their children, five in number — two sons and three daughters — were 
born and reared. One son, Henry H. , is now living in La Fayette 



^l 



jvK__w 



^^=4^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



881 



County, Mo. , where he is a prosperous farmer and justice of the peace. 
Of the daughters, Lizette is the wife of Herman Larberg, a farmer of 
La Fayette County; Eliza married Herman Holke, a farmer in the same 
county, and Josephine, wife of William H.H. Bierbaum, also engaged in 
farming, and a resident of the old home place in Warren County, Mo. 
The father died in 1849, and about live years later the mother married 
again, and kept the family together. She died in 1887, when about 
sixty live years of age. When F. C. Woestemeyer was about seven- 
teen years of age he began serving an apprenticeship to the shoe- 
maker's trade at Femme Osage, Mo., but previously had received 
a good education in the German language, principally. He learned 
the trade of Michael Bickel, and remained with him five years, two 
years as an apprentice and three years as a journeyman. He then 
went to St. Souis, worked at his trade one year, and later ran a shop. 
From there he went to Marthasville, Mo., conducted a shop there un- 
til 1873, when he sold sewing machines and agricultural implements 
for Middlecamp & Bros. This he continued until 1877, when he 
went to La Fayette County, and purchased a farm, tilling the soil for 
seven years. In 1884 he sold his place at an advance of about 100 
per cent on the purchase money, and then tried his hand at the gro- 
cery business in Wellington, La Fayette County, Mo., buying property 
there. He sold this at a good profit in about eight months, and then 
he purchased a farm of 160 acres in Johnson County, Kas. There 
he resided until the fall of 1887, then sold out during the boom, and 
then came to Wyandotte County, where he bought 140 acres at $60 an 
acre. Inside of two weeks he sold 40 acres of this for $100 per acre. 
He was one of the organizers, and the controlling stockholder in the 
White Church Town Site & Improvement Company. Mr. Woeste- 
meyer is vice-president and treasurer of the company. During the war 
he was in the Home Guards and State Militia, but was not called into 
active service. He is a member of the Evangelical Church, and an active 
worker in the same. He has been twice married, first to Miss Eliza 
Peters of Marthasville, Mo., who lived about eleven months, and is 
buried at Marthasville. His second marriage was on October 22, 1868. 
to Miss Wilhelmena Oberhellman, of AVarren County. They are the 
parents of eight children: Pauline, Anna, Henry, Otto, Agnes, Bern- 
hardt, Clara and Althea. Since May, 1889, Mr. Woestemeyer has 
been postmaster, and has filled that position in a creditable manner. 
In politics he is a Republican, and is active in all movements that have 
for their foundation the development of this locality or county. 



^i 



1^ 



-^ — "T->- 

882 HISTORY OF KANSAS. 



Abner Wolfe, farmer, Bethel, Kas. This esteemed resident of 
Quiudaro Township, a man who has an extensive acquaintance, was 
born in Adair County, Ky. , January 18, 1828, and is the son of 
George and Kebecca (Bishop) Wolfe, the father a native of 
Tennessee, and the mother of North Carolina. The parents were 
married in Tennessee, but shortly afterward moved to Kentucky, 
where they were among the early settlers. Here their children, six in 
number, were born, but only four are now living: Elizabeth (wife of 
Isaac Lynch in Saline County), Jeanette (wife of Henry H. White, re- 
siding in Fremont County, Iowa), and Jacob A. (residing in El Dorado 
County, Cal.). When Abner Wolfe was four years of age his father 
moved to Johnston County, Ind. , bought a farm and there resided for 
about eight years. He then sold out, came to Cass County, Mo., 
and settled six miles west of Harrison ville, where he entered land and 
made a farm, residing there live years. He then went to St. Clair 
County, 111. , but after a residence there of three years he came to 
Atchison County, Mo., remaining there live years. Later he went to 
Fremont County, Iowa, entered land there, and there, in 1856, at the 
age of sixty- seven years, the last debt of nature was paid. Abner re- 
mained with his father until twenty-five years of age. The mother surviv- 
ed her husband several years, and selling out her possessions in Iowa, 
she went on a visit to Cass County and was there married again, losing 
her second husband after about two years of married life. She came 
to her son in Platte County, and there her death occurred in 1862, 
Abner was in his twenty -fourth year when he married Miss Abigail 
Wolsey, of Atchison County, and to them were born two children: 
William (at home), and Mary (wife of George Way, of White Church), 
Mrs. Wolfe died in 1861, and Mr. Wolfe was married, the second time, 
to Miss Ellen A, Conway, who bore him three children: Hattie (wife 
of George Eeiley), John and Jennie. During the late struggle be- 
tween the North and South, Mr. Wolfe enlisted in the State Militia, 
but was in no regular battles. He served nine months and was in 
several skirmishes. Remaining in Platte County until 1869, he sold 
out there and came to Wyandotte Coimty, where he purchased eighty 
acres of land, his present property. He has a new house of six rooms, 
and his stables, outbuildings and wells indicate a thorough farmer- 
He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has 
been deacon for over thirty-five years, and a member since seventeen 
years of age. Politically he is a Democrat, but votes for the man 
more than the party. In so far as he is able, he has contributed lib- 

*V1« — «- ~^i=i^ 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 883 



erally to cbuicbes and schools, and takes au active interest in all 
matters pertaining to the best interests of the commiinity. In 1850 
be started across the plains as a teamster, and on the return trip was 
made assistant wagon master, making three trips that year. For seven 
years he freighted across the plains, his last trip being in the winter 
of 1857, through snow from knee to waist deep. At one time, on a 
trip from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Kearney, 200 Indians, near the 
bead waters on Little Blue, threatend an attack, butoin- party camped 
early, and bitching up after dark, drove twelve miles further, going 
into camp about 10 o'clock. Next morning by daylight they were on 
the move again. 

W. F. Wood, architect, Kansas City, Kas. There is such a vast 
amount of competition in every line of trade, that the commercial 
world is pretty well crowded with busy "bread-winners," each anxious 
to gain success and an abundant supply of the '' almighty dollar. " ' But 
it is a true old adage that says: "There is always room at the top," 
and such competent business men as Mr. Wood can not fail to win ap- 
preciation and the esteem of their fellow-men. Kansas City, being a 
thoroughly progressive place, has many avenues for labor, but a few 
that require more skill or ofFer a surer opportunity for success than is 
found in architecture. The subject of this sketch made his first ap- 
pearance in this world in Syracuse, N. Y., on March 20, 1853, being 
the son of I. G. and Helen O. Wood, natives of the State of New 
York. He spent the years intervening between infancy and man- 
hood's estate in bis native city, learning first the carpenter's trade, and 
afterward mastering the study of architecture in the mechanical de- 
partment of the Central Railroad, and later under John Tylee. As a 
monument of his ability as an architect he has some of the finest 
buildings in the state, viz. : First Presbyterian Church, Portsmouth 
Building, Husted Building, Kansas City, Kas., George W. Howell's 
residence, in Atchison, etc. Mr. Wood was united in marriage with 
Miss Louisa M. Cronk, whose birth occurred in Utica, N. Y. , in June, 
1854. To this union have been born seven children, viz. : Issie Em- 
ma, Laurenette, Helen Frances, Gracie May, Minnie Bell, Clinton G. 
and Mildred E. (the last two named being twins). In politics Mr. 
Wood is in sympathy with the Republican party, and faithfully works 
for his party principles. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wood are united with 
the Episcopal Church and interested in all religious and educational 
matters, and contribute liberally to the support of worthy causes. Mr. 
Wood is a member of Fellowship Lodge, No. 2, K. of P. , and Wyandotte 






■il. 




Division No. 10, U. R. K. of P., and Franklin No. 293, A. O. U. W. 

Dr. John S. Woods was born in Allegheny County, Penn., April 
29, 1853, being a son of James and Louisa (Beazell) Woods, who were 
also born in the Keystone State, the former March 5, 1821, and the 
latter May 6, 1829, their marriage taking place on May 6, 1852, and 
in time resulting in the birth of live children of whom Dr. John S. 
was the eldest. The parents still reside in Allegheny County, Penn., and 
there have many warm personal friends and numerous acquaintances. 
Dr. John S. Woods first attended the common schools, but afterward en- 
tered Mount Union College, Ohio, from which institution he was gradu- 
ated in 1876, completing a full classical course. He at once took up 
the study of medicine, and in 1881 was graduated from Cleveland 
Medical College, and entered upon his practice in the State of Ohio. 
In 1881 he removed to Kansas City, Kas. , where he immediately 
opened an office, and here he has actively and successfully practiced 
his profession ever since. In 1882 he took an ad eundem degree in the 
Cleveland Medical College. He was married March 28, 1883, to Miss 
Mary E. Hibbard, a native of St. Joseph, Mo., born on November 4, 
1863, a daughter of John and Susan Hibbard. They have one son, 
James, who was born September 29, 1884. The Doctor is a Repub- 
lican is his political views, has served one term in the city council, and 
belongs to the following social orders: A. F. & A. M. and K. of P. 

W. N. Woodward is a successful real estate and rental agent of 
Kansas City, Kas., was born near Tazewell, Tenn. , August 17, 1849, 
and at the age of three months was taken to Kentucky by his parents 
and was there reared to manhood, receiving his education in the com- 
mon schools. He was married at the age of seventeen years. When 
he had attained his twentieth year he came to Arkansas, but in 1871 
removed to Platte County, Mo., where he made his home for one year, 
then resided in Wyandotte County, Kas., eight years, and the follow- 
ing eight years was a resident of Clyde, Kas. Since that time he has 
been a resident of this county, and from 1872 to 1875 was engaged in 
farming, and from 1875 to 1880 was in the mercantile business in May- 
wood, this county. After following the same calling in Clyde for two 
years he engaged in buying and selling cattle, but sold off his stock at 
the end of three years and engaged in the mercantile business in 
Clyde for three years. Selling out he then removed to Kansas City, 
where he successfully followed both occupations. The most of his 
attention at the present time, however, is given to real estate, and a 
considerable portion of the land which he handles is at Brighton Hill 









.^ 





and Edgerton Place. He was married in London, Ky. , to Miss Mary 
Miller, who was born April 2'2, 1847, and to them a family of eight 
children have been born: Milton G., Nannie B. , John A., Daniel H. , 
Ellen, Hattie M. , Viola and William N. , Jr. Mr. Woodward is a 
Royal Arch Mason, a Republican in his political views, and he and 
his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His 
sons manage his mercantile establishment, and are pushing a paying 
business. His parents, C. C. and Nancy (Williams) Woodward, were 
born in Tennessee, and the father is still residing in London, Ky., 
aged sixty-six, but his wife died in 1862, at the age of forty-six years. 
The paternal great-great-grandfather was an Irishman, who removed 
to America in a very early day, and his son, the great grandfather of 
the subject of this sketch was born in Pennsylvania, but afterward 
moved to North Carolina, thence to Tennessee, and afterward to Ken- 
tucky, where he died. C. C. Woodward served in the Union army 
during the late war, being a member of the Seventh Kentucky Regi- 
ment of Infantry. The grandfather enlisted in the War of 1812, but 
as there happened to be 101 men in the company he was dismissed, 
and was thus thrown out of the service. 

C. T. Wortman, police judge, Argentine, Kas. James H. Wort- 
man, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Penn- 
sylvania, born on May 1, 1820. He married Miss Mary Geddes, a 
native of Ohio, and to them were born three children. The father 
learned the saddler's trade in youth, and carried this on until 1855, 
at Bristol, Ohio. He then moved with his family to Crawfordsville, 
Iowa, in a prairie schooner, and engaged in farming. Before mov- 
ing to Iowa he had loss all his property by going security for his 
friends, and therefore he was compelled to go West. As before stated, 
he emigrated to Iowa, and arrived in that State with only $35 and his 
team. He is still a resident of that State, is the owner of 400 acres 
of land, and is extensively engaged in raising live stock. He has a 
fine residence and a commodious barn, which will stable sixty-five 
head of horses. The mother's family is of Scotch descent, and her 
father was a soldier in the War of 1812, enlisting shortly after his 
arrival to the United States from Scotland. C. T. Wortman was 
born in McConnellville, Ohio, on September 7, 184<), passed his 
boyhood and youth in Iowa, assisted his father on the farm, and 
remained on the same until eighteen years of age. He was then 
thrown fiom his horse in a snow bank, had his leg injured, and his 
hands and feet frozen from a severe storm which came up, and later 



9 fy 



^1 



^^ 




had a severe spell of lung fever resulting from the exposure. After 
recovering he went to the lumber regions, bought one-half interest 
in a lumber-mill, and was thus engaged for three years. During 
this time he went to school, fitting himself for mercantile life, attended 
an academy, and later passed a successful examination for an entrance 
to the Cornell College, at Cornell, Iowa. He gave np his interest in the 
mill, owing to an accident taking place. His father, who was on a 
visit to the mill, was standing on the saw-carriage to examine the 
workings of the saw, when our subject reversed the motion of the 
carriage, and his father narrowly escaped being cut in two by the saw 
before he could get out of the way, but being thrown one side 
his life was saved. After this our subject had enough of mill- 
ing, and went to Davenport, Iowa, where he took a course in the 
Bryant & Stratton Commercial College, and afterward accepted 
the position of traveling salesman for a wholesale house, becom- 
ing posted in the different lines in the mercantile business, and 
following it for three years. He afterward went to Moline, 111., ac- 
cepted a situation with the Victor Scale Company, and remained with 
them for four years, after which he changed to the Moline Plow Com- 
pany, and there remained one year. He then started a grocer}^ store, 
carried this on for three years, and once more returned to Iowa, where he 
remained four years. From there he came direct to Argentine, where 
he has since resided, and where he was engaged in the Atchinson, To- 
peka & Santa Fe office until September 29, 1889. He was then elected 
police judge. In 1870 he was married to Miss Martha J. Warren, a 
native of Illinois, born October 19, 18-13, and the daughter of Lowman 
Warren, who was born in New Jersey. To Mr. and Mrs. Wortman 
were born six children, four now living: Mary E., Lois H., Milton and 
Minnie (twins). Those deceased were named James W. and Esther. 
Mr. Wortman is a Republican in his politics, and was elected to his 
office from the citizens' ticket. He is a member of Crawfordville Lodge 
No. 37, A. F. & A. M. , of twenty- three years' standing, and is also a 
member of the Modern Woodman, of which he is secretary. Mrs. Wort- 
man is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is 
also a member and a trustee. 

D. S. Young is a loan specialist of Kansas City, Kas. , and is well 
known to the business men of Wyandotte County, as a man of sterling 
principles and methodical business habits. He was born in Upper Cana- 
da, in 1822, there also received his rearing and education. He lost his 
first wife while still a resident of that province, she leaving him with the 






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1 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 



care of two children, one of whom is now deceased, Anna M. bein<. 
st.l ahve. Mr. Young was in Oswego, N. Y., when the late Rebellion 
broke out, but did not move his family thither. In 1866 he came to 
Kansas City, Mo., and soon settled in Clay County, near the city, but 
after t,llmg the soil there for two years, he removed to Kansas for the 
beneht of h.s health, and purchased a farm where Argentine is now 
situated, which place continued to be his home from 1869 to 1880 
He has since devoted his attention to loaning money, and does a cood 
and safe business. His second marriage also took place in Canada, 
his wife being Miss Mary Short, a native of that province, and to their 
union, a family of six living children have been born: Maggie Mi- 
nerva, ^\ ilham, John, Frankie and Edith. Mr. Young has always 'been 
a Democrat in his political views, and he and wife are members of the 
Episcopal Church. He was one of the first trustees, and assessed 
Shawnee Township four times. His paternal great-great-grandfather 
Young was at the siege of Londonderry. The great-grandfather came 
to America, and his son was born in New Hampshire, and was a Loy- 
alist during the Revolutionary War, and held the rank of major in the 
British army. Grandfather Stinson was a captain in the same, and 
both families were banished to Canada after the close of the war where 
they were given large tracts of land for their loyalty to the crown, and 
were known as U. E. (United Empire) loyalists. 

Hon. W. H. H. Young, present member of the Legislature from 
Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kas. Not without justice, Mr. Youno- 
IS conceded to hold a representative position among the prominent and 
successful men of Wyandotte County, for he has rendered it valuable 
service in many different capacities, some of which are referred to in 
the present sketch . His liirth occurred in Montgomery County. Tenn. , 
in 1841, and he remained in his native State until sixteen vears of age^ 
after which he moved with his parents to McDonald County, 111., and 
there finished his education in the high schools. April 18, 1861, he 
entered the Northern army, enlisting in Company C. Sixteenth Illi- 
nois Infantry, after the first call for three months' service by President 
Lincoln, and was mustered out in July of the same year, on account 
of his being too small. Determined to enlist at all hazards, he went to 
St. Joseph, Mo., but was not successful here, but went to St. Louis, 
and became a drummer in the Tenth Missouri Infantry, at Hermann,' 
Mo. Later he was put back in the company, and became a regular 
soldier. In June of 1862 he was sunstruck between Corinth" and 
Holly Springs, Miss., and was taken to the hospital, where he remained 



^\ 



I te - 




from September until January. As soon as convalescent he was de- 
tailed as hospital steward, and when inUy recovered he was transferred 
to Company A, Cavalry (January, 1863), serving with that company 
until February, 1865, and participating in all its engagements. He 
enlisted as a private, was promoted to sergeant, then orderly, and was 
holding the last-named rank when he was captured, between Yazoo 
City and Benton, Miss. He was retained a prisoner two months, and 
afterward participated in the battle of Vicksburg. May 2, 1864, he 
was again captured, but made his escape by getting out of a three- 
story building. The blanket by which he sought to lower himself 
tore in two, letting him fall. He broke his foot, and was captured 
again, but finally was exchanged June 28, of the same year. He was 
scout for Gen. Elliott for a year, and was afterward promoted to the 
rank of lieutenant. He was mustered out at Vicksburg, Miss., Feb- 
ruary 26, 1865. He was wounded four times, was sunstruck twice, 
and had many narrow escapes during service. He was a brave soldier, 
a gallant officer, and served his country faithfully and well. He par- 
ticipated in the following battles: Corinth, luka. Duck Creek, Austin, 
Richmond (La.), Coleman's Cross Roads, Richmond (Ga.), Port Gibson^ 
Grand Gulf, Rodney (Miss.), Helena, Bolivar, Fort Derusha, Nashua, 
Hayes Point, Yazoo City, Washington (Miss.), and was in twenty-six 
altogether, besides numerous skirmishes. He came to Kansas City 
after the war, and has been a resident of this county ever since, with 
the exception of from 1871 to 1874, when he resided in Illinois. He 
was a railroad contractor for some time, was then in the lumber busi- 
ness, and afterward conducted a flour mill. Six years ago be sold out 
the mill, and has been engaged in the real estate business ever since. 
In 1888 he was elected to represent Wyandotte County in the Legis- 
lature, in a very strong Democratic district, which position he filled 
in a satisfactory manner. He is a member of the G. A. R., having 
joined that organization in 1868, and has passed through all the chairs. 
He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., has passed through all the 
chairs, and all the chairs of the K. P., being a member of the Grand 
Lodge of this; also a member of the A. O. U. W., E. A. U. and P. O. 
of H. He is very prominent as a G. A. R. , and takes an active part 
in all reunions, and above all likes to meet the ' ' boys in blue ' ' who 
were in his command, or any who were in the army. Mr. Yoimg is 
the owner of considerable real estate, has a number of lots in Kansas 
City and considerable land in the county. He is a stanch Repub- 
lican in his political views, and was the only one of his relatives, ex- 



^ 



D "ly 



-41 



!li 




cept one brother, who served in the Union army. He had an uncle 
who held the rank of brigadier-general in the Confederate army. Mr. 
Young is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His parents, 
George Haywood and Sarah E. (Harris) Young, were natives of North 
Carolina and Virginia, respectively. The father was a successful M. D., 
and practiced his profession in Illinois from 1854 to 1856. His death 
occurred in the following year. He was also a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church. He and wife were the parents of nine children. 
Hon. VV. H. H. Young was married in Wyandotte County, Kas. , to 
Miss Martha E. Gephart, and to them were born four children: Henry 
E., Maude M., Florence E. and Cora M. 

Charles O. Young is the efficient superintendent of the Swift & 
Co. Packing House, of Kansas City, Kas., but was born in Manchester, 
N. H., May 12, 1861, his parents being Leroy and Julia A. (Hatch) 
Young, who were natives of New Hampshire and Vermont, respec- 
tively. Charles O. Young accompanied his parents to Brighton, Mass. , 
(a suburb of Boston) when he was a lad of thirteen years, and there 
he spent his youth, receiving a good education. During his early life, 
when not in school, he was employed in the slaughter-house of N. E. 
Hollis at Brighton, and remained thus occupied until he attained his 
majority, at which time he came West to Chicago, and entered the 
employ of Swift & Co. ,' of that city, and has since been one of their em- 
ployes, a period of eight years. In November, 1887, he was trans- 
ferred to Kansas City, Kas., and for two years he was foreman of the 
slaughtering department, but on April 1, 1889, was promoted to super- 
intendent, and has since discharged the duties of that responsible 
position in a highly creditable manner. He is one of the foremost 
young business men of Kansas City, and those who know him have a 
high regard for him, for he is possessed of those sterling qualities 
which make a true man. Genial and friendlj' with those around him 
he possesses many warm fi'iends, and he and his wife, whose maiden 
name was Etta L. Brayton, and whom he married March 13, 1888, are 
highly esteemed by all who, know them. She was born in York State, 
but was residing in Chicago at the time of their marriage. Mr. 
Young is a Mason, being a member of Mizpah Lodge No. 152, of Chi- 
cago, Chicago Chapter aud Chevalier Bayard Commandery No. 52, of 
Chicago, and has also taken the thirty-third degree in this order. 

Isaac R. Zane, fruit-grower, Qaindaro, Kas. Mr. Zane is a native 
of the Buckeye State, his birth occurring on September 10, 1826, and 
is a son of Isaac and Hannah (Dickenson) Zane. The father was a 



-^ 




Wyandotte Indian, born and reared in Ohio, and received but a limit- 
ed education, preferring the Indian life to the more civilized. He 
was married on April 13, 1815, when comparatively a young man, 
and to his union were born fourteen children — seven sons and six 
daughters: Hester, Noah, Sarah, Robert, Ebeneezer, Catherine 
(who died when an infant), James, Elizabeth, Hannah, Eliza, Eli, 
Leslie and William. All but three of these children grew to mature 
years, and three are now living, Ebeneezer (born in 1824, is now living 
in Wyandotte, and on account of his age, has retired from business) 
and Hannah (resides in Johnson County, Kas.) The father of these 
children died on May 12, 1849, and his wife survived him forty years, 
living a widow the remainder of her days. Her death occurred on 
November 14, 1886. After her husband's death Mrs. Zane came to 
her son Isaac in Wyandotte County, and here the younger members of 
her family were reared and educated. The sons were farmers. After 
the younger children were about grown she retiirned to Isaac, and here 
passed the remainder of her days. An event of note occurred during 
the life of Elizabeth Zane, which has been immortalized by the poet, 
as follows: 

'Twas more than a hundred years ago. 
They were close beset by the dusky foe; 
They had spent of powder their scanty store. 
And who the gauntlet should run for more? 
She sprang to the portal, and shouted, "I! 
'Tis better a girl than a man should die! 
My loss would t)e but the garrison's gain. 
Unbar the gate!" said Elizabeth Zane. 

The powder was sixty yards awaj', 

Around her the foemen in ambush lay; 

As she darted from shelter they gazed with awe, 

Then wildly shouted, "A squaw! a squaw! " 

She neither swerved to the left nor right. 

Swift as an antelope's was her flight. 

" Quick! Open the door! " she cried amain, 

" For a hope forlorn! Tis Elizabeth Zane." 

No time had she to waver or wait; 
Back she must go ere it be too late; 
She snatched from the table its cloth in haste. 
And knotted it deflly about lier waist, 
Then tilled it with powder — never, I ween, 
Had powder so tidy a magazine — 
Then, scorning the bullets, a deadly rain. 
Like a startled fawn, fled Elizabeth Zane. 

She gained the fort with her precious freight; 
Strong hands fastened the oaken gate; 
Brave men's eyes were sutf used with tears 
That had there been strangers for many years. 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 891 



From flint-lock rifles again there sped 
'Gainst the skullving redskins a storm of lead; 
And the war-whoop sounded that day in vain. 
Thanks to the deed of Elizabeth Zane. 

Talk not to me of Paul Revere, 

A man on liorseback with naught to fear; 

Nor of old John Burns, with his bell-crowned hat — 

He'd an army to back him, so what of that'? 

Here's to the heroine, plump and brown. 

Who ran the gauntlet in Wheeling town! 

Hers is a record without a stain — 

Beautiful, buxom Elizabeth Zane. 

Isaac R. Zane remained in Ohio until nineteen years of age, attending 
school for a short time at the Wyandotte Mission in Ohio, but most of 
the time he was on the farm. His people having left Ohio, Mr. Zane 
followed them in a year or so, and made his advent in this county in 
18-1:6, being entitled to the claim of the oldest resident in point of 
habitation. At that time Kansas was an unbroken wilderness, in- 
habited by Indians who lived as Indians do, depending chiefly upon 
the fruits of the chase and line for a livelihood. After being here for 
a period of six or eight years he opened up a small farm near the 
present site of Quindaro, and began tilling the soil. Their farming 
implements were of the crudest kind, and his farming operations were 
limited to a few acres. Their principal crops were corn, wheat, oats 
and potatoes. Game was scarce even when he first moved here, and 
usually in the fall of the year hunting parties would go farther west 
and return at the end of six weeks or two months laden with buffalo, 
elk and antelope. Early in the fifties white men began to encroach 
upon the domain of the Indian, and with them came a new order of 
things. Soon came the border troubles, in which many of the Indians 
took an active part, some on one side and some on the other. Mr. 
Zane held aloof, and later, when the war came on, he was in the 
State Militia. When, with the forced consent of the Indians, the land 
was parceled otit, Mr. Zane received thirty acres as his portion, and 
shortly afterward the right to sell was given. Then the white man 
came in for a certain amount of land, the Indians being cheated in 
many instances, selling out for practically nothing. Mr. Zane held his 
land until about four years ago, when taking advantage of the boom he 
sold out. When Kansas City and Wyandotte began to assume the 
promise of their present proportions, Mr. Zane tiu'ned his attention 
to fruit growing, planting orchard trees and vines, and was actively en- 
gaged in this occupation when he sold out. He has never practically re- 
tired from business. Mr. Zane has been twice married, first to Miss Mary 



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r«- 



892 HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



E. Unangst, of German descent, and they reared one daughter, Cora 
E. (wife of Thomas E. Walker, a Wyandotte, now living in the Terri- 
tory). After about two years of married life Mrs. Zane died, and ten 
years later Mr. Zane married Mrs. Elizabeth Proctor. They have no 
family. Mr. Zane was reared to believe in the Methodist doctrine, but 
his wife is a member of the Lutheran Church. About the time the 
land was given the Indian, he was given the right to franchise, and 
Mr. Zane affiliated with the Democratic party. Since the forming of 
his tribe in the nation his rights have been abrogated, and he is now 
disfranchised. He intends, as soon as his business will permit, to go 
to the nation and there pass the remainder of his days. But few of 
his people remain here, and that inborn desire to die among one's own 
people is strong in him. Personally Mr. Zane shows nothing of the 
usual accepted type of Indian. He is six feet tall, very erect, rather 
spare, and his hair and beard are both iron gray. His keen gray 
eyes have lost none of their brilliancy, and in manners he is affable 
and pleasant. All in all a person would take him for a professional 
man. 

Henry Boeke is a well known and highly respected German- Amer- 
ican citizen of Wyandotte County, Kas. His parents. Court and 
Christine (Boekhausen) Boeke, were natives of Germany, which was 
their place of residence during their lifetime. They were always en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits, and were in all ways most worthy cit- 
izens. Henry Boeke' s youth and early manhood were spent assisting 
his parents upon the farm, and like all German youths received a 
good common-school education. Hoping to better his condition, in 
the summer of 1854 he took passage from Bremen for New York, 
arriving there after an eight weeks' voyage on a sailing vessel. His 
first stopping place was at Dayton, Ohio, where he remained about 
one year, and then went to Illinois, where for two years he followed 
various employments in the towns of Quincy and Jacksonville. In 
1857 he went to Kansas City, Mo., remaining in that vicinity until 
1860, when he went to Wyandotte County, Kas. , renting a farm from 
an Indian chief named Armstrong, and began the life of an agricult- 
urist. There were few whites in the neighborhood at that time, but 
his Indian neighbors were kind, and they got along amicably. In 
1865 Mr. Boeke moved to where he now resides, and where by his 
pluck, industry and intelligence he has made for himself one of the 
most comfortable and nicely improved homes in the county. The 
place consists of twenty-five acres all in orchard and garden and un- 

^ a, ' r - ~ ^ to V 

T T 



WYANDOTTE COUNTY. 893 



der the highest state of cultivation. In 1864 Mr. Boeke was united 
in marriage with Miss Henrietta Walker, a native of Germany. To 
this union have been born four children: August, Louisia, Henry, Jr., 
and Lena. Mr. Boeke now lives in practical retirement, having 
secured a competency. He has never aspired to any social or political 
prominence, but has been content to serve his family and friends in a 
less conspicuous but more substantial manner. He has and justly 
merits the respect and confidence of all who know him. 

Timothy McMahon is a native of the old city of Limerick, Ire- 
land, on the famed Shannon Eiver, where he was born in 1826, being 
the third of six children, and is now the only surviving member of 
the family. His parents were also natives of the Emerald Isle, the 
father an agriculturist by occupation, and both are now deceased. Mr. 
McMahon obtained sufficient education in his youth to fit him for the 
everyday affairs of life, and when only fifteen years of age, started 
out for himself as an apprentice at the blacksmith's trade, he at that 
time having not a shilling in his pocket. After becoming the thorough 
master of his trade, he began following it, continuing for twenty- five 
years, and being industrious and of an economic disposition, he did 
well. He became dissatisfied with life in his native land, and thinking 
to better his financial condition, he determined to come to America, 
which he did in the fall of 1847, and time has shown the wisdom of this 
move. He first landed at Quebec, from there went to the Green Moun- 
tain State, later to New York, Massachusetts, and back to Vermont, his 
residence in these States consuming three years. In 1850 he emigrated 
to Indiana, where he remained until the spring of 1855, when he 
took a trip across the continent to California, where he remained, work- 
ing at his trade until 1859. He then came back east as far as Wyan- 
dotte County, Kas., but after remaining here one year, returned to 
California, after having purchased 120 acres of land in this county. 
He made his home in California until the fall of 1866, since which 
time he has been contented to make his home on his farm in Wyandotte 
County, Kas., where he has made many valuable improvements, and 
has seen the country converted from a wilderness into waving fields 
of grain. Where once the Indian roamed, hunted and fished at will, 
flourishing towns have sprung up, and schools, churches and farm- 
houses dot the landscape. His now valuable farm of 200 acres, which 
at that time was mostly covered with timber and brush, has by the 
magic hands of industry and enterprise, become an admirably kept 
farm, and now yields Mr. McMahon a sufficient income to make him 



IV 



^^jg i^ ^ g ^ 



894 



HISTOKY OF KANSAS. 



independent for the rest of his days. He has an elegant home, com- 
fortable surroundings, and he and his estimable wife have, the satisfac- 
tion of knowing that what they now have, has been acquired by their 
own hands. Mr. McMahon was married in August, 1870, to Miss Ellen 
Donahue, a native of Greenfield, Va., her education being received in 
the Sisters' Seminary, in Kansas City, Mo. To them eight children 
have been born: James (aged seventeen), Nellie (aged sixteen), Maggie 
(aged fifteen), Timothy (aged thirteen), Patrick (aged twelve), Katie 
(aged ten), Rosa (aged seven), and Serilla (aged four years). Mr. 
McMahon is well posted on all the current topics of the day, and in his 
political views is a Democrat, his first presidential vote being cast for 
Franklin Pierce. He has been a member of the district school board 
for eleven years, and he and his wife are ardent members of the Roman 
Catholic Church, and are very charitable and kindly in disposition. 

Harrison S. Toy is one of the wide-awake and enterprising business 
men of Kansas City, Kas. , and besides being known as one of the lead- 
ing grocers of the place, he is also well known in social circles, and by 
his genial disposition and cordiality has won many warm personal 
friends. His birth occurred in Franklin County, Ohio, on April 1, 
1854, being a son of Harrison and Rebecca (Brobeck) Toy, a short 
history of whom is given in the sketch of J. F. Toy. Harrison S. 
spent his youth and early manhood on a farm, and was given a com- 
mon-school education. In 1879 he, in company with his brothers, 
Joseph F. and Edward C. , came West, with the intention of taking 
Horace Greeley's advice to young men, and has succeeded in doing 
this, for he and his brothers began business on only a fair scale, and 
by honorable dealing and the courtesy which seems a part of their 
nature, their business has risen to mammoth proportions, and they 
now constitute the leading grocery firm in the city, their establishment 
being, in fact, second to none in this section of the State. [For a more 
comjjlete mention of the business, see the sketch of J. F. Toy.] Har- 
rison S. Toy was married on October 19, 1882, to Miss Flora A. 
Adams, of this city, but she died on April 4, 1888, leaving no children. 
Mr. Toy has been a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
ever since he was thirteen years of age. He is a good business man, 
and an honorable, upright man of business. 



♦- 



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M'—- ^—- l^. 




ERRATA. 



Since the publication of the within historj' and biographies the 
following corrections have been received too late for insertion in their 
proper places: 
Page 516: Sketch of Jacob Bloedel. 

3d line. Read For June, IST'J, June, 1S77. 

42d line. For Friendship, Friendship, Wis. 

54th line. For she came to America with her parents, she 

came to America with her parents in 1868. 
57th line. For Allida Anna, Elyda Anna. 
58th line. For died November 25, 1875, died November 26, 

1875. 
59th line. For died November 27, 1875, died November 25, 

1875. 
60th line. For Alida Anna, Elyda Anna. 
61st line. For born November 25, 1876, born November 26, 

1876. 
66tb line. For born November 27, 1887, born November 26, 
1887. 



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